Ana G
December 19, 2019
Very beautiful view.. clean and peaceful environment
Helpful
Featured amenities
Showers
About Blue Marsh Lake (Dry Brooks Day Use Area)
Located at Blue Marsh Lake northwest of Reading, Pennsylvania, three group picnic shelters are available for reservations within the Dry Brooks Day Use Area. With over 36 mi of trails, 5,000 acres of land, 1,147 acres of water, picnic areas, a small beach and boat launches, the Blue Marsh Lake area is appealing to all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts.
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Boating
Spring
Summer
Fall
Fishing
Year-round
Hiking
Year-round
Kayaking
Spring
Summer
Fall
Swimming
Summer
Year-round
Fishing
Nearby
Hiking
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Spring
Boating
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Kayaking
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Summer
Boating
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Kayaking
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Swimming
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Fall
Boating
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Kayaking
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Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Oct 1 to Dec 31
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
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Water and Hygiene
- Showers
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Reviews
36 reviews
Summary
The Blue Marsh Lake (Dry Brooks Day Use Area) features a clean and well-equipped pavilion, along with spotless bathroom facilities. Visitors appreciate the exceptional staff and find the prices to be very reasonable. Overall, it is considered a great location for a day out.
Based on guest feedback
4.8
Overall rating
Based on 36 reviews
5 stars
83.3% (30)
4 stars
16.7% (6)
3 stars
0.0% (0)
2 stars
0.0% (0)
1 star
0.0% (0)
Showing 36 reviews
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Ana G
December 19, 2019
Very beautiful view.. clean and peaceful environment
Helpful
Jeanne L
January 15, 2020
The Vista pavilion was a great little pavilion perfect for our picnic of 25-30 people. We liked the seclusion from other parties and groups. Plus the parking there was very convenient.
Helpful
Jeanne L
January 15, 2020
The Vista pavilion was a great little pavilion perfect for our picnic of 25-30 people. We liked the seclusion from other parties and groups. Plus the parking there was very convenient.
Helpful
Brian P
January 17, 2020
We love Blue Marsh lake and the amenities it affords us. There are however a few issues that can and should be addressed.
1. All boats should require a safety check
2. At the dry brooks launch there should be some sort of authority there to calm the people there who set up tents and blast their music for the entire lake to hear.
3. This launch can Be a bottle neck, due to inconsiderate people. There can and should be a way to have say a traffic director there or better signage to possibly have people understand these rules.
4. All boaters and jet ski operators should be checked for their boating safety card as there are way to many incidents with the reckless driving of these vehicles, especially the jet skis.
5. I feel they should have kept the entrance fee and use these monies to offset the cost of a launch/retrieval officer.
It is a great facility, thank you for keeping it this way and we look forward to this upcoming season.
Brian S. Petresky
Helpful
Brian P
January 17, 2020
We love Blue Marsh lake and the amenities it affords us. There are however a few issues that can and should be addressed.
1. All boats should require a safety check
2. At the dry brooks launch there should be some sort of authority there to calm the people there who set up tents and blast their music for the entire lake to hear.
3. This launch can Be a bottle neck, due to inconsiderate people. There can and should be a way to have say a traffic director there or better signage to possibly have people understand these rules.
4. All boaters and jet ski operators should be checked for their boating safety card as there are way to many incidents with the reckless driving of these vehicles, especially the jet skis.
5. I feel they should have kept the entrance fee and use these monies to offset the cost of a launch/retrieval officer.
It is a great facility, thank you for keeping it this way and we look forward to this upcoming season.
Brian S. Petresky
Helpful
Robles S
July 27, 2020
Clean very beautiful peaceful view 👌❤️
Helpful
Robles S
July 27, 2020
Clean very beautiful peaceful view 👌❤️
Helpful
Lisa R
September 6, 2020
Having the space to social distance but still be close with my family was priceless! AND THE VIEW! A bit of water, green, and blue sky was just what we needed.
Helpful
Lisa R
September 6, 2020
Having the space to social distance but still be close with my family was priceless! AND THE VIEW! A bit of water, green, and blue sky was just what we needed.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Blue Marsh Lake (Dry Brooks Day Use Area)
1420 Palisades Dr., Leesport, PA 19533 United States
Elevation: 133 ft
Getting There
Blue Marsh Lake is located 7 mi northwest of Reading, PA. Take route 183 north and make a left on Palisades Dr. Travel one mile and the Dry Brooks Day Use Area will be on your right.
Highway access
Blue Marsh Lake is accessible via Route 183, which connects to nearby highways. It is located approximately 7 miles northwest of Reading, PA.
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
8AM
Check out time
5PM
General
- The Park will close at 6:00 p.m. starting May 17, 2025 and continue through September 30, 2025 with limited services due to staffing shortages
- Reservation holders will be issued a confirmation receipt. You must have the confirmation receipt with you to present to the Park Ranger on the day of your reservation.
- Parking is not included in the shelter rental. Arrive early on summer weekends and holidays to avoid waiting in line to obtain a parking space.
- Alcoholic Beverages are prohibited.
- The use of confetti and devices that dispense such materials or paints (ie gender reveals) – is strongly discouraged. If you utilize such materials – you must come prepared to clean up the area or be subject to a fine for additional clean up.
- Decorations and signs may be displayed, but in a manner that does not cause damage to trees, signs, or the shelter itself. All decorations/signs that are displayed must be removed before departure or be subject to a fine for additional clean up.
- Before departure, all picnic tables must be returned to their original arrangement upon your arrival.
- Moonbounces, large inflatable devices, rides, mechanical equipment, DJs, DJ equipment and/or other “entertainment” are not permitted.
- All Garbage/Trash generated from the event must be placed in the adjacent trash cans or bagged and placed next to the trash cans. Failure to properly dispose of the garbage/trash will result in a fine for additional clean up.
- Driving across the grass to pavilions or picnic areas to drop off items/supplies, or for any other reason, is not permitted.
- Access for other park visitors must not be restricted or impeded. A Standard Reservation Permit is authorization for your event to take place in a specific group picnic shelter and does not grant exclusive use of the entire area.
- Your reservation is valid on your reservation date.
- Please contact the Park Office at 610-376-6337 for special requests or questions about items permitted at the group picnic structures. A Special Use Permit is Required for baptisms, ceremonies, or other large events.
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Last updated: October 7, 2026
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Explore Leesport, PA
Population: 2,166
Nearby city: Reading, PA
Approx. 7 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 292 ft
Leesport, PA
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Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers