Raystown's Bike-friendly Facts

• Within a 3-hour drive from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo, Baltimore, NYC and Wash., D.C.
• Average summer temperature: 60-70 degrees
• Raystown Average fall temperature: 40-60 degrees 
• Cyclists are encouraged to wear orange vests during hunting season, October - December
• Wildlife: Bald Eagles, deer, turkey, bear, porcupine, squirrels
• Nearly 1.5 million visitors per year enjoy the activities Raystown Lake has to offer 

• Known as Pennsylvania's "Best Kept Secret," Raystown Lake was built in 1913. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Raystown Lake Dam in 1974 to control flooding for the Susquehanna Valley. The dam towers  225-feet high by 1,700 feet long. The largest human-made lake in Pennsylvania, the Lake extending 28 miles with 118 miles of shoreline and 8,300 acres of water. 
• "The Friends of Raystown Lake" aid the Army Corp of Engineers in maintaining the Lake, campgrounds and Lake-related efforts and education. 
• Raystown Lake is home to the legendary "Raystown Ray," Pennsylvania's version of the Loch Ness Monster. "Ray" was featured on the SY-FY Channel's "Fact or Faked - Paranormal Files." The segment included eyewitnesses, experiments, a sonar run and a diving search, but no solid evidence was discovered. Watch Pedal America's Raystown episode and decide for yourself.
• Ray is probably vegetarian, according to local sources, and may hide under submerged logs and in underwater coves.   

• Raystown Lake Resort What began as a small Army Corp-run campground is now a family-run full-service resort that sits on 400 acres of waterfront property. Bungalows and villas sleep up to 8 guests. Appalachian log cabins built from native hemlocks sleep 6. The year-round resort also has a 50-room lodge and 221 campsites with water, electricity, and cable hook-up.6145 Seven Points Road; Hesston, PA 16647  (814) 658-3405

• Seven Points Marina This versatile marina offers visitors a wet-slip marina, 287 dry slips in stack storage, a camp store, two cruise boats, rental boats, boat fuel, and a boat service building. The marina also operates a restaurant facility open to the public.

 • Susquehannock Campground Located near mile marker "7" on Raystown Lake, this campground provides adventurous campers with the most primitive  necessities: drinking water and lake views; no showers or electricity here. That's just the way some like it! With the Allegrippis Trail access only 100 yards away, and all Seven Points day-use areas just a short car drive, Susquehannock Campground is comfortably close to and far enough from civilization.

• Brookmere Winery After changing hands many times since its 1860's debut as a farming property, Brookmere found its current identity as a winery in 1981. Located in the Kishacoquillas Valley, Brookmere serves primarily French Hybrid wines and a few Vinifera varietals. The winery offers tours daily by reservation, and doubles as an event reception destination.5369 S.R. 655; Belleville, PA 17004  (717)935-5380

• Lincoln Caverns First discovered in 1930 and 1941, these two cool temperature caverns house thousands of stalactites, crystals and huge flowstones. Open daily March thru November, and December thru February by reservation, this cavern experience offers something for everyone. Take a 1-hour interpretive tour, pan for real gems or have a picnic all in one convenient location.7703 William Penn Highway - U.S. Route 22; Huntingdon, PA 16652  (814) 643-0268

• Old Bedford Village Experience American history firsthand at Old Bedford Village through military and civilian re-enactments, exhibits, festivals, murder mystery evenings, and old fashioned Christmas. Open Memorial Day thru October; admission fees may apply for some events.220 Sawblade Rd; Bedford, PA 15522  (814) 623-1156

• Boxers Café Boxers Café has been serving a variety of draft, craft and bottled beers and homemade pub food daily since 1990, including organic and vegetarian dishes. Tuesday is wing night. Enjoy live music on Fridays and Saturdays.410 Penn St; Huntingdon, PA 16652  (814) 643-5013

  • Mimi's Restaurant Merely 30 minutes from Raystown Lake and Raystown State College in historic downtown Huntington, Mimi's Restaurant serves dinner 4:30-10 p.m., Monday thru Saturday. Mimi's pleases a range of palates for a casual or fine dining experience in what was originally a log structure built in 1789. New Orleans cuisine is offered every Thursday in addition to the regular menu.312 Penn St. Huntingdon, PA 16652  (814)643-7200

*Stacked loop trails (a series of interconnected loops) permit users options for varied distances, routes, or destinations, and to meet up with friends at cross-roads.