Nockamixon State Park

11/01/2026

Sunday November 1: Starting today and lasting through April 30, all boaters are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or on any kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. 🛶🚤⛵

The requirement applies to all Pennsylvania waters. 💧

A life jacket greatly increases your chance of survival in the face of cold water shock. But even with a life jacket, cold water is very dangerous. Paddlers who venture out in cold water conditions should also have experience, leave a float plan with someone on land, and wear insulating clothing. 🧦

Find more information on cold water shock and tips to increase survivability from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission: https://www.pa.gov/.../regulations/cold-weather-life-jacket

And the National Center for Cold Water Safety: https://www.coldwatersafety.org/the-danger

10/30/2026

Don't be Dan. Be like Bob. See where fall color is peaking before you go at www.pa.gov/FallFoliage

10/29/2026

It's time for your Week 5 Fall Foliage Report! 🍁🍂

The continued pattern of warm days followed by cold nights and frosty mornings is continuing to transform southern Pennsylvania’s forests into a mosaic of fall color. With minimal winds helping to extend the peak in many counties, fantastic autumn shades are now visible from the middle and southern Appalachians to the southern Alleghenies and deep into the forests of southeastern PA.

As fall foliage season winds down, this weekend may be the last great opportunity to soak in the wonderful colors across a large portion of Penn’s Woods.

Photo 1: Norcross Vista (Elk Forest District)
Photo 2: Edinboro (Erie County)
Photo 3: Sinking Springs Road (Tiadaghton Forest District)

View the full report: pa.gov/fallfoliage

10/29/2026

Leaves are ablaze here at the lake, which means it's just about time to wind down and winterize. 🍁

Our maintenance team is working on shutting down restrooms, with comfort stations at parking lots 1, 4, and 12 now closed. 🚽

We will continue to winterize restrooms throughout the coming days, in anticipation of freezing temperatures. ❄️

Non-flush restrooms at the Fishing Pier, Tohickon Boat Launch, and Haycock Boat Launch will remain open all winter. 🌙

Day Use Area gates will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning Monday November 2. 🚗

The park office at 1542 Mountainview Drive is operating on our off-season schedule, open M-F, 8:15-3:45. 🏠

Educational programming is just about finished for the year, but you still have one more chance to join us for a night under the stars, Saturday November 7: Starwatch! ✨

10/29/2026

Investment in Pennsylvania's state parks pays off!

New data from a Penn State study shows the Commonwealth’s 125 free and open to the public state parks yielded over $16 for every $1 invested. Researchers estimate state park visitors spent $1.2 billion in Pennsylvania communities within 50 miles of a state park on visits to state parks in 2025.

Learn more: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/newsroom/new-data--pennsylvania-s-free-state-parks-generate--16-in-econom

10/28/2026

Discover PA’s past in a whole new way! The DCNR/America250PA GeoTrail is now available, guiding adventurers to 25 state parks to uncover history through geocaching.

Explore, find, and log all caches to earn a completion coin.

Learn more: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/what-to-do/geocaching/dcnr-geo-trail

10/27/2026

Beneath a night sky alive with magic, Cherry Springs State Park feels like stepping into another world.

If you’re chasing wonder, inspiration, or an enchanted place to lose yourself in a good read, our state parks are waiting to be explored.

10/26/2026

Can you guess this state park?

Here's a hint: the park shares a name with its popular lake! ⛵

Check the comments for the answer!

10/24/2026

A few spots have opened up for tonight's Full Moon Walk. This will be the last one for the year, and it looks like we will be treated to a beautifully clear sky! 🌕

After the walk, several members of the Bucks-Mont Astronomical Association will be stationed at the end of the Fishing Pier, awaiting our return to delight us with telescopic views of the Moon and other celestial wonders. 🪐

Find out more and sign up: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/full-moon-walk-9254 🔭

Join park education staff for a walk under the (almost) full moon, followed by an opportunity to view the moon through the telescopes of the Bucks-Mont Astronomical Association astronomers. The program length will be two and a half hours, which includes stops along the way and time at the telescopes...

10/23/2026

Meet the new assistant park manager for Bald Eagle State Park in central Pennsylvania.

With two campgrounds, boating, fishing, swimming, the Nature Inn, and diverse habitats that are excellent for wildlife watching, Bald Eagle State Park is a great destination in the heart of Pennsylvania.

Learn more: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/newsroom/dcnr-names-new-assistant-manager-bald-eagle-state-park-in-centre

10/22/2026

It's time for your Week 4 Fall Foliage Report! 🍁🍂

Recent cold nights have sparked dramatic color changes across Pennsylvania’s forests, and now vibrant hues are bursting statewide. From the Poconos to the Allegheny Plateau, across the full sweep of the Appalachians and into the southeastern corners of the state, the autumn cheer of Penn’s Woods is on full display.

It’s shaping up to be one of the most impressive fall foliage seasons in a few years, making right now the perfect time to get outside and enjoy Pennsylvania’s breathtaking autumn scenery!

Photo 1: Mason Hill (Elk Forest District)
Photo 2: Bark Road (Buchanan Forest District)
Photo 3: Route 402 (Delaware Forest District)

View the full report: pa.gov/fallfoliage

10/22/2026

PA Outdoor Corps is Pennsylvania’s premier youth conservation workforce development and training program run by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in partnership with Student Conservation Association.

Follow us to learn more about the program and see what our crews are doing in the field!

10/21/2026

Fall is showing off at many Pennsylvania state parks! 🍁

Check out some of our favorite autumn photos captured and shared by you! Got one you'd like to share? Drop it in the comments below!

10/19/2026

Friends Of Nockamixon State Park trail crew still at it! 💪

10/16/2026

DCNR will be releasing water from Lake Nockamixon into Tohickon Creek in Bucks County on Saturday and Sunday, November 7-8.

The releases will provide Class 3 and 4 whitewater boating conditions downstream through Ralph Stover State Park from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. each day.

Learn more: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/newsroom/dcnr-plans-whitewater-release-into-tohickon-creek-for-annual-boa

10/10/2026

"All good things must come to an end, such as this week's clear skies," is how one of our Bucks-Mont Astronomical Association members put it. And according to the latest cloud models for tonight, it appears that end will occur just as we would have been beginning our stargazing. ☁️

So, sorry to say, we're cancelling tonight's Starwatch. We'll try again next month for our final 2026 date, Saturday November 7! 🪐

(or sooner, at our Full Moon Walk at the end of this month--registration required, but spots still remain: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/full-moon-walk-9254 🌕)

[Apologies if you saw this twice--somehow Facebook deleted the event, and with it, the cancellation announcement]

Image: Astrospheric

10/09/2026

Watching the weather for tomorrow’s Starwatch! If you are planning to attend, check back here for an update before you head out. Any cancellation notices will be posted on all channels by 5PM the day of. 🔭

Think clear thoughts! ✨

We are keeping an eye on Hurricane Isaias and what impact it might have on our scheduled Star Watch Saturday night October 10th. As it moves northward after landfall we are expecting to be dealing with those cloud bands late Saturday afternoon and evening. As always, it all depends on the timing.
Be sure to check:
This BMAA page and/or Nockamixon State Park Events webpage or our https://www.bma2.org/ website for any updates regarding cancellation. We will publish any changes by 5 PM Saturday or before.
Image credit: Astrospheric.com

10/09/2026

Saturday morning! Join the Friends Of Nockamixon State Park for their road cleanup. Spend a few hours picking up litter, while chatting with our awesome Friends volunteers. 🦺

Do you love hiking, biking, boating, or picnicking in our beautiful park? Join the Friends Of Nockamixon State Park for a Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Adopt-a-Highway cleanup on October 10 and help us keep it that way! 🌸

Volunteers will meet at the Park Office at 8:30 AM to be assigned their section. Safety vests, glasses, and gloves will be provided, or bring your own. Dress in long pants and long sleeves. 👖

In order to participate, you must be registered as a DCNR Conservation Volunteer: https://dcnrvolunteers.pa.gov/. If you can help out, please email Mike Quinn at [email protected]. An email reminder will be sent a few weeks before the event. 🗑️

https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/adopt-a-highway-cleanup

10/07/2026

Read (or listen to) this story about light pollution, stargazing, and our recent International Observe the Moon Night event! 🌔

The dark night sky is a natural and cultural resource we can all help preserve through simple changes like turning off unnecessary lights, or using warmer bulbs. 💡

Light pollution and consecutive summers of Canadian wildfires have made it harder to stargaze in even the most remote places in Philadelphia’s suburbs.