Nockamixon State Park — Attraction in Bedminster Township

Nockamixon State Park is a gem in Bucks County PA. With 5 full size boat launches and 1 non-motorized launch by the cabins, you have many ways to get your watercraft on the lake. This is also a very good sailboat lake and there is a sailing club that uses the park. The park allows electric motors up to 20HP and the size of the lake allows them to operate comfortably with kayaks, motor boats, and canoes which are also rentable at the park. Boating and fishing are allowed 24 hours a day. The Tohickon area is favored by wind surfers, paddle boarders and catamaran users and has a handicap access too. I've seen some larger wooden fishing piers at other state parks, but this long, paved peninsula pier (see picture) is very unique. You can drive right up to your spot. Lake Nockamixon is a warm water fishing lake. There's also a children's fishing pond and a disc golf area at the east end of the marina. There is no lake swimming allowed at Nockamixon, but the park has a large swimming pool. You can hike any of nine hiking trails, the longest of which, 13.5 miles, is on the south side of the lake. Nockamixon has large areas for horseback riding so dogs must be on leashes in this park. Areas for parking a horse trailer are at the end of Old Bethlehem Road, at the end of Elephant Road and off Mink Road. A 10 mile mountain biking trail has been established on the east side of the lake off Tower Road and parts are challenging. A 2 mile paved trail for regular bikes starts in the main boating area. Picnic tables are numerous and scattered throughout the park. For a pavillion site, I liked area 5 for a large gathering (see picture). It has lots of parking, a big field for recreation, and is private. I also like tables in the Haycock area. Here the tables line the waterfront among the trees and you can watch so many people on the water. The park has 10 modern cabins on the south side of the lake with a non-motorized boat launch and playground. All other camping is available at several private establishments. If you come by in winter, you can sled in the marina area, go cross country skiing or ice skate or ice fish if the lake freezes. Hunting is allowed in season in certain sections and there are bow hunting areas too. For events at this park visit: events dcnr pa For more information: pa...

It’s never easy to find a place where the family can gather, especially since we’re spread out all across the United States. And just like finding a place is hard, picking a date that works for everyone is just as challenging. With that in mind, I chose a date and gave everyone two and a half months’ notice—plenty of time to mark the calendar. Of course, not everyone could make it, and that was expected.

Nockamixon State Park felt like the right choice. Everyone showed up, except for those who live over 300 miles away. Even though they weren’t physically present, their spirits were very much with us.

The day itself was filled with fun. The children had the freedom to run and play, racing through the wide open grassy areas and weaving around the trees. They could hike through the forest with an adult, or even go canoeing, kayaking, or just enjoy a boat ride. Outside, they could make all the noise they wanted—no one had to tell them to quiet down.

The park grounds were clean, and although the picnic tables were “so-so,” some were in such poor condition they really need to be thrown out—like the broken seats at Parking lot Picnic Area 3. That’s a serious safety hazard just waiting to happen, for both children and adults who might not notice. Hopefully, the park will take care of that.

The weather? Well, the rain showed up and quickly left - but that’s just Mother Nature. You have to go with the flow. The only real surprise was the pool fee: $15 per person. For a state park, that seems steep. Families who come with several children simply can’t afford that—$15 each for a family of six is just too much. That’s something I think the park should really reconsider.

But aside from those small bumps, it was a wonderful day. A long-overdue get-together. A beautiful family event. And without a doubt, Nockamixon State Park was the right place to...

Even though it was a very hot day, this park was very enjoyable, my family really liked the pool and the parking was near the picnic area we stayed at. Unfortunately I have to give three stars because of a bad experience with a ranger, the entrance on direction to the pool area was a little confusing (it was our first time there) and we ended up getting into a one way, we saw another car and the ranger stopped on the side of the street and didn't think it was because some other people went the wrong way and got stop as well, we thought they were just parked there, as soon as we passed them the ranger called for us to what he proceeded to make us pull over and make us wait for about 15mins there, that's when I understood he was writing us a ticket, I'm not the type to justify bad actions but it was a genuine confusion that we explained to the officer to what he just responded it was park rules, there's a lack of proper signage directing traffic towards the pool area which was confusing, it seems to be a very usual problem there so I would expect better signage, maybe placing a do not enter sign would fix that issue... I'm sorry but that $40 ticket ruined the experience a little. After that we were being too cautious with our every move and didn't get to enjoy it as much... So be very attentive to where you drive. Ps the bathrooms were not that clean but...