Summer at State College has certainly begun, and if the air conditioning and paddles don’t cool you down, don’t worry: The Daily Collegian offers a list of places to swim around the city.
First, there are our own campus swimming locations.
Penn State has three aquatic locations on campus: the indoor and outdoor pool at the McCoy Natatorium and the indoor pool at the White Building.
Both indoor pools are closed in the summer, but are usually open during the fall and spring semesters for students to use.
McCoy swimmers
The McCoy Natatorium outdoor pool, however, is open every weekday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for casual recreation. On Saturdays the hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Sundays the hours are extended to 5 p.m.
The swimming pool is also open from 5 to 7 pm on weekdays.
Be sure to check the Student Affairs website for pool guidelines and scan your pool schedule each week, as times are subject to change.
Whipple Dam State Park
Next up is Whipple Dam State Park, just south of State College.
Whipple Dam has a 256-acre park, lake and beach, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The park can also be used for picnics, swimming, boating and fishing.
Whipple Dam is about 25 minutes from campus. The park is open every day of the year and hours for the beach and other areas are available by calling the Greenwood Furnace State Park office.
William L. Welch Community Pool
Returning to the neighborhood, the William L. Welch Community Pool, located on Westerly Parkway, is open for the summer season.
According to the Central Region Parks and Recreation website, Welch is home to two public swimming pools with features such as spray pads, trampolines, slides and a climbing wall.
Daily admission for residents ages 3 to 10 and 65 or older is $ 8. For residents between the ages of 11 and 64, the fee is $ 10.
After 5 p.m., all residents over the age of 3 must pay $ 5.
Daily admission for non-residents ages 3 to 10 and 65 or older is $ 10. For non-residents between the ages of 11 and 64, the rate is $ 12.
After 5 p.m., the fee for all non-residents ages 3 and up is $ 7.
Registration for seasonal passes and community swimming programs is available on the Parks and Recreation website in the Center region.
Colyer Lake
A little further on, but still in Center County, is Colyer Lake, about a 20-minute drive from campus.
The lake, according to AllTrails, has a looping trail that takes about 54 minutes to complete.
Visitors can go fishing, boating, swimming or rowing on the lake, or go hiking and strolling through the wilderness.
The 77-acre location is maintained by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boating Commission for public fishing and navigation, according to the commission’s website.
Bald Eagle State Park
Last but not least, Bald Eagle State Park is on the list, about a 30-minute drive northeast of Penn State.
Bald Eagle State Park is home to a 1,730-acre lake that wraps around Bald Eagle Mountain and is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset, according to the website. DCNR.
Along with the lake, the park has two campsites, a beach, forests, fields and wetlands.
Bald Eagle State Park activities don’t just include swimming in the lake. Visitors can go hiking, picnicking, boating, fishing and camping in the park at night.
Take a bath, immerse yourself and enjoy the water before the autumn freezes.
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