Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach
Swimming lake
0.3 mi
4.4 (585)
130 Lakeview Drive, Lebanon, PA 17042
Lakeside park is a go-to for picnics, rope swings, kayaks, a snackbar & group & event rentals.
LakePA
Mount Gretna Lake
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan a future Mount Gretna Lake visit with seasonal updates, ticket links, swim-zone rules and a grounds photo. The operator says it is closed until 2027.
Swimming temporarily closed
When open, swimmers needing flotation or another person's assistance must stay inside the shallow roped zone. Follow staff instructions.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Lake
Access
Swimming temporarily closed
Fee
Paid admission. Check the linked operator prices for the next season; advance online daily tickets are required under published terms.
Best season
Choose an available date in the next confirmed operating season, not a date inferred from old opening hours
Nearby towns
Mount Gretna, Lebanon
Water body
Lake Conewago
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Mount Gretna, Lebanon
Access location not verified
40.246359, -76.470321
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Mount Gretna Lake
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Mount Gretna Lake: plan for the next season
The operator's homepage announces closure until 2027. No exact reopening day is established. This is a seasonal admission facility, not a shoreline to enter whenever you choose.
Book before you travel
The prices page requires advance online daily admission. Its published rates are not a guarantee of next-season pricing. Wait for opening and ticket availability before organizing a beach day.
Match the swim zone to your ability
Under the operator FAQ, people who need flotation or assistance stay in the shallow roped zone. Lifeguards do not make every swimmer or water condition safe. There is no on-site camping.
Pack within the facility rules
The policies allow food and coolers but prohibit alcohol, pets, fishing, drones and visitor boats. Check updated rules for any unusual equipment. An older resident-canoe exception mentions 2025 permits and should not be treated as a current visitor entitlement.
Find the facility, not an assumed water entry
Use 130 Lakeview Drive, Lebanon, and operator arrival guidance. Our historical map pin remains unverified; old Exit 20 directions are withdrawn. Call 717-964-3130 for next-season or accessibility questions.
What the gallery documents
The selected historical grounds photo shows the oversized wooden chair beside white buildings. Other saved images contain bathers or occupied entrance scenes and are withheld for now. No photo establishes today's opening, water quality or authorized entry.
Getting There
Operator address: 130 Lakeview Drive, Lebanon, PA 17042. Use its current arrival instructions and facility signs after confirming reopening. Retire the old Turnpike Exit 20 and country-deli route. The historical map pin is not a verified entrance or water entry.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Check reopening and ticket availability with the operator. A saved Google operational record or historical photo cannot override its current notice.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
When open, swimmers needing flotation or another person's assistance must stay inside the shallow roped zone. Follow staff instructions. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
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Hiking area
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Campground
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Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
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Campground
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Cabins & RV sites with free Wi-Fi, plus 3 pools, play spaces & a Hersheyland shuttle.
Free Wi-Fi
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Public bathroom
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Gretna Lake
Is Mount Gretna Lake open now?
The operator's reviewed homepage says it is closed until 2027. It does not establish an exact reopening date.
Can I buy a daily ticket at the gate?
Published operator terms require advance online daily tickets. Check the next season's availability and prices before traveling.
Can non-swimmers use the whole lake?
No. The operator restricts people needing flotation or assistance to the shallow roped zone.
Can I camp at the beach?
No. The operator FAQ says there is no on-site camping.
Are these current beach photos?
The selected grounds photo is historical. It does not prove the facility is open or show current swimming conditions.
Highlights
Seasonal operator update
Advance-ticket planning
Shallow-zone rule explained
Reviewed oversized-chair grounds photo
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Lifeguarding does not eliminate swimming risks
- Check current water conditions and staff restrictions; clear-looking water does not establish safety, depth or absence of current
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Family-operated recreation grounds beside Lake Conewago, distinct from an unrestricted public shoreline.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
A reviewed historical grounds image shows an empty oversized wooden chair beside white buildings and ornamental grasses. It does not establish current opening or water conditions.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Use the managed visitor entrance and respect seasonal boundaries. Never enter the grounds merely to recreate a historical photograph.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Choose an available date in the next confirmed operating season, not a date inferred from old opening hours.
Difficulty Level
Managed beach visit when open; confirm accessible routes and individual swimming needs rather than assuming universal access.
Fee
Paid admission. Check the linked operator prices for the next season; advance online daily tickets are required under published terms.
Facilities
Confirm next-season staffing, rentals and accessible routes directly. Withdrawn blanket claims of easy access for every mobility level.
Activities
Future seasonal swimming and picnicking subject to reopening and operator rules.
Phone
717-964-3130
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No on-site camping according to the operator FAQ.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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