Virginia's Beach Campground - Pennsylvania Camping on Lake Erie

/Home/Worldwide Tours and Travel by Continent/North America Tours and Travel/United States Tours/United States Tours - States/Pennsylvania Tours/Pennsylvania Travel Sites/Pennsylvania Beaches

Virginia's Beach Campground - Pennsylvania Camping on Lake Erie
Lakefront Cottages & Camping
352 Holliday Road • P.O. Box 72
North Springfield, PA 16430
(814) 922-3261

About the Lake

Lake Erie is the 11th largest lake in the world by surface area. The lake is actually more like an ocean than what most people think of as a lake. Lake Erie is 241 miles long, 57 miles wide at its widest point and about 40 miles wide at Virginia’s Beach. Sometimes people don’t realize how big it is and are surprised that you cannot see the other side. It is the fourth largest, the shallowest, and the warmest (in the summertime) of the five Great Lakes.

Because it is so shallow, the lake can rapidly change from calm to large waves. Lake Erie is unlike any river or other inland lake. The rapid changes that often occur in the lake can be very awesome and add to the unique lakefront atmosphere.

Boaters must be very aware of wave conditions and should come in at the first sign of large waves. Looking at the waves from shore is not necessarily a good indication of conditions off shore. If the wind is blowing from the South, the lake will often be nearly calm at shore. However, the wind is pushing the water and waves off shore. As you boat North, the waves will increase, sometimes significantly, and what started out as a pleasant trip can turn into a battering through high waves. In addition, if the wind is from the South, when you turn back to shore, you will be fighting the waves rather than boating with them, and it can take you far longer to get back than it took you to get out.

About Our Beach

Sometimes people are surprised when they see that our beach is not the same as at the ocean. The beach in front of our property is a typical Lake Erie beach, with a rocky base topped with a variable amount of sand. Most of the rocks are flat and gray in color, with granite and marble of assorted colors mixed in. The area to the West of the boat ramp almost always has a large amount of sand, whereas the sand comes and goes in the area to the East of the ramp. Large amounts of sand can be deposited or washed down the shoreline by storms. Be sure to bring water shoes and lawn chairs if you intend to enjoy the beach. Swimming in the Lake in front of our property is like being in a natural swimming pool. The bottom is mostly solid rock with large rocks and sand. Because Lake Erie is the most shallowest of the Great Lakes, the water is usually warm from mid June until mid September.

© 2009 Virginia’s Beach Lakefront Cottages & Camping. All rights reserved.