Generated illustration of a natural swimming setting; not a photograph of this location
Designated Lake Swimming BeachPA

R.B.Winter State Park

By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated

Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.

Explore Halfway Lake at R.B. Winter State Park with reviewed photos, beach-season guidance, accessibility options and camping links. Check DCNR before swimming.

Water type
Designated Lake Swimming Beach
Access
Informal
Fee
Confirm any current charges with DCNR. Camping, cottages and concessions are separate from a beach day; no fee-free guarantee for every facility.
Best season
During the confirmed beach season, with current restrictions checked. The year-round park schedule is not year-round swimming permission
Nearby towns
Mifflinburg, Lewisburg
Water body
Halfway Lake, Rapid Run

Location

Map & Directions

PA
Nearby towns
Mifflinburg, Lewisburg
Access location not verified
40.99161, -77.18936
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.

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.

Halfway Lake: a beach day within the park's season

R.B. Winter is a forested lake destination, but its year-round park access does not extend the swimming season. The site-specific beach page gives late May to mid-September, from 8 a.m. to sunset. Check exact dates and restrictions before traveling; our earlier October swimming claim is withdrawn.

Choose the beach, not the dam or creek

The historical lake image faces the sand beach. Use its designated buoy boundary. Under DCNR's open-swim policy, this is not a lifeguarded beach. Posted restrictions apply, and pets do not belong in swimming areas.

Ask for the support you need

The accessibility page identifies an accessible beach and a beach wheelchair on request. Call 570-966-1455 about availability and your route. A woodland footbridge photograph is not evidence of an accessible beach approach.

Extend the trip with a booked overnight stay

The overnight page lists campsites and cottages, with drinking water and showers in the campground. Their operating season differs from the beach. Reserve an appropriate site and check current rates rather than assuming beach access includes an overnight stay.

Use the gallery for landscape context

Four reviewed photos show the lake, a rocky woodland stream, a fenced overlook and a leaf-covered footbridge. Creek and trail viewpoints are not independently geolocated or recommended swimming entries. The fishing page excludes the swimming area from fishing.

Arrive using the official park information

The park overview gives 17215 Buffalo Road, Mifflinburg. Download its map and follow beach signs. The retained historical map pin is not a verified entrance or water entry.

Getting There

Use the park's 17215 Buffalo Road, Mifflinburg, PA 17844-9656 address and official maps. DCNR places the park on PA 192 west of Lewisburg. Follow signs for the designated beach, not a dam or creek entry. The historical pin remains unverified; old I-80 mileage is not a checked turn-by-turn route.

Access Notes

Park opening does not mean the beach is in season. The published beach window ends in mid-September; do not assume October swimming access.

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

Use the designated beach within its buoy boundary when open. No lifeguards under DCNR open-swim policy; pets are prohibited in swimming areas. 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.

What to Bring

Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.

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

RB Winter MTB Parking Lot

Parking lot

0.2 mi 4.9 (13)

Unnamed Road, Mifflinburg, PA 17844

Hidden Valley Camping Resort

Campground

7.1 mi 4.1 (363)

162 Hidden Valley Ln, Mifflinburg, PA 17844

Dale's Ridge Trail

Hiking area

13.4 mi 4.7 (205)

T450, Lewisburg, PA 17837

Little Mexico Campground

Campground

15.3 mi 4.4 (325)

1640 Little Mexico Rd, Winfield, PA 17889

Buffalo Valley Rail Trail Restrooms

Public bathroom

15.4 mi 5 (1)

Lewisburg, PA 17837

Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau

Visitor center

17.9 mi 4.6 (31)

2733 PA-45 Ste 2, Milton, PA 17847

Restroom

Jellystone Park Milton

RV park

18.3 mi 4.2 (514)

670 Hidden Paradise Rd, Milton, PA 17847

Bear Valley Ranger Station

State government office

72.8 mi 3 (1)

13249 Keefer Rd, Upperstrasburg, PA 17265

Live Conditions Nearby

Checking nearby USGS water conditions…

Frequently Asked Questions About R.B.Winter State Park

Can I swim at Halfway Lake in October?

Do not assume so. DCNR's published beach season ends in mid-September. Check any special opening directly with the park.

Are there lifeguards?

No, under DCNR's open-swim policy. Swim only within the authorized beach boundary and follow posted restrictions.

Is beach accessibility assistance available?

DCNR lists an accessible beach and a beach wheelchair on request. Contact the office about availability and your access needs.

Can I camp at the park?

Yes, DCNR lists a campground and camping cottages. Book separately and confirm the operating season and rates.

Can I fish from the swimming beach?

No. DCNR excludes the swimming area from the lake's fishing access.

Highlights

Halfway Lake beach photo
Confirmed seasonal swimming guidance
Beach-wheelchair request option
Campground and cottage planning

Location & Area Map

Safety Information

Important Safety Tips

  • Stay within the designated swimming boundary and supervise children closely
  • Spring-fed water and scenic reflections do not prove water quality or safe depth
  • Do not swim at the dam or infer creek permission from gallery scenes

Cultural & Historical Context

Historical Background

The lake is held by a sandstone dam in a forested central Pennsylvania basin. Historic infrastructure is scenery, not a swimming launch.

Photography Guide

Photo Opportunities

Reviewed historical photos show the lake facing its sand beach, a wooded rocky stream, a fenced valley overlook and an autumn footbridge. Exact stream and trail viewpoints are not independently geolocated.

Conservation & Ethics

Protect This Place

Stay on authorized routes and protect stream banks. Keep fishing equipment away from the designated swimming zone.

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At a Glance

Best Time to Visit
During the confirmed beach season, with current restrictions checked. The year-round park schedule is not year-round swimming permission.
Difficulty Level
Managed beach access, with specific accessibility support published by DCNR; woodland photo locations are not an accessible beach route.
Fee
Confirm any current charges with DCNR. Camping, cottages and concessions are separate from a beach day; no fee-free guarantee for every facility.
Facilities
DCNR identifies an accessible beach and a beach wheelchair available on request. Ask the office about equipment availability and the route needed for your visit.
Activities
Seasonal designated-beach swimming; park visits and authorized camping subject to facility schedules. Fishing is excluded from the swimming area.
Phone
570-966-1455 (park office)

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

DCNR lists 61 campsites and three camping cottages, generally mid-April to mid-December. Book through the linked reservation service and confirm dates, rates and site availability.

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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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