Frequently Asked Questions

Where within Moraine State Park do the Regatta events take place, and how do I get there?

Is the rest of the Park open during the Regatta? Where can I go in the Park to avoid Regatta traffic and crowds?

Where do I park? Is the Regatta Handicapped-accessible?

Are there restroom facilities?

Is there an admission charge? What are the extra costs, if any, and how much for what?

What are the “Kid-Friendly” activities?

What are the hours?

Fireworks?

Can I ride in a Canoe or Kayak? Can I rent a boat?

Can I rent a bike?

Is there camping in the Park?

Are there hotels/motels nearby?

Can we go swimming?

Are there ATM’s in the Park?

Q - Where within Moraine State Park do the Regatta events take place, and how do I get there?

WE HAVE MOVED!  DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION WE WILL BE ON THE SOUTH SHORE!  Almost all of the Regatta takes place on the South Shore (see map).

• From the East - from US 422, watch for the North Shore Exit about ½ mile west of the causeway over Lake Arthur. Follow the exit road ¼ mile to a stop sign at a T intersection, and turn right onto North Shore Drive. Follow this road about 2 ½ miles to the entrance to Lakeview, on the right.
• From the West - from US 422 at I-79 interchange, stay on 422 east-bound. Proceed about 2 miles, crossing over Lake Arthur, to Moraine State Park South Shore Exit. At the end of the exit ramp turn left, pass under 422, and immediately turn left to re-enter US 422 west-bound. Watch for the North Shore Exit about ½ mile west of the causeway over Lake Arthur. Follow the exit road ¼ mile to a stop sign at a T intersection, and turn right onto North Shore Drive. Follow this road about 2 ½ miles to the entrance to Lakeview, on the right.
• From the North and South - from I-79, exit at Exit 99 (US 422). Turn east onto 422. Proceed about 2 miles, crossing over Lake Arthur, to Moraine State Park South Shore Exit. At the end of the exit ramp turn left, pass under 422, and immediately turn left to re-enter US 422 west-bound. Watch for the North Shore Exit about ½ mile west of the causeway over Lake Arthur. Follow the exit road ¼ mile to a stop sign at a T intersection, and turn right onto North Shore Drive. Follow this road about 2 ½ miles to the entrance to Lakeview, on the right.

Some events will also take place at the McDanel’s launch area; particularly those associated the Moraine Preservation Fund, one of the premier volunteer organizations which contribute to the preservation and improvement of the Park. See map for McDanel’s location, and schedule for McDanel’s events and times.

Q - Is the rest of the Park open during the Regatta? Where can I go in the Park to avoid Regatta traffic and crowds?

Moraine State Park is in all respects “open for business” as usual during the Regatta weekend. Since almost all of the Regatta events take place within the relatively small confines of the South Shore, one can visit ‘most every other area of the Park and be essentially unaware that the Regatta is going on.

Q - Where do I park? Is the Regatta Handicapped-accessible?

There is a couple of large parking areas, as well as several large open areas for overflow parking. Traffic control personnel will be able to direct visitors to parking as appropriate.

There is some limited handicapped parking in close proximity to the action. When the lots are full, handicapped guests may still temporarily pull vehicles into a designated zone for loading/unloading passengers. Such guests should inform Traffic Personnel, who will then direct you as appropriate.

The topography of the South Shore is largely flat to very gently sloping, with a number of both paved and graveled paths and walkways connecting areas. Wheel chairs should have no difficulty in visiting 90% of the Regatta activities.

Q - Are there restroom facilities?

There are permanent restroom facilities at the South Shore.

Q - Is there an admission charge? What are the extra costs, if any, and how much for what?

There is no admission charge to visit the Regatta. We will have greeters providing schedules set up at the entrance where donations to help defray the Regatta’s expenses are solicited, but these donations are entirely voluntary and are not a requirement to visit the Regatta’s events. All events at the Regatta are free, with the exception of the helicopter rides, a rock climbing wall and the canoe/kayak races on Saturday. Food and craft vendors will of course charge for their wares.

Q - What are the “Kid-Friendly” activities?

This varies with the age of the Kid, of course. A number of “Children’s Craft Clinics” will be conducted during the course of both Saturday and Sunday, at which kids (and their parents) may assemble a variety of small, simple crafts. The clinics are free.

There will be Beach Games at the Swimming Beach at various times on both days. These games will consist of a number of age-appropriate races and physical activities, with small prizes awarded for the participants.

The Butler Dog Training Association will have an Obedience Training demonstration on Sunday morning, along with some tips for kids in approaching dogs.

For older kids, the Kayak Experience will provide the opportunity to paddle their own boat for short guided and accompanied excursions on the lake. There is no charge.

The Moraine Model Mariners will have radio-controlled model boats both on display and in operation on the lake during the Regatta. See schedule for times and location.

And swimming at the Beach of course, for everyone. The swimming beaches at both the South Shore and at Lakeview’s North Shore are available for swimming under a Bureau of State Parks Open Swim Policy. There are no lifeguards on duty.

This is just a sampling of Kid Stuff at the Regatta. Check out “Children’s Events” elsewhere on this website.

Q - What are the hours?

In general the Regatta will be in operation from 10 AM to after fireworks (which will start between 9:00 and 9:30 PM or so) on Saturday, and 10 AM to 6 PM on Sunday. The South Shore area opens at daylight, so that those who may wish to arrive a little earlier for parking purposes may certainly do so. See the schedule for the times that specific events/activities will be taking place, and their location.

Q - Fireworks?

Fireworks over the Lake are one of the highlights of the Regatta. The fireworks will take place on Saturday night only, beginning between 9:00 and 9:30 PM. They are launched just across the lake from Pleasant Valley. The best viewing location for Regatta visitors is Pleasant Valley, but one may also have good viewing from several locations on the south side of the Lake, notably the Bear Run launch area directly across from Lakeview. Many boaters take their craft out onto the lake at dusk, and watch the show from the water. Those who choose this option should be sure to have proper running lights on their craft for night operation (or in the case of boats 16 feet in length or less, a working flashlight or other light source aboard) to comply with PA Fish and Boat Commission regulations.

Q - Can I ride in a Canoe or Kayak? Can I rent a boat?

Several paddling events are open to visitors at the Regatta. The Kayak Experience, in which visitors may try paddling a kayak on a short excursion on the lake. The Voyageur Canoe, in which visitors may take a short ride in a 24 foot wooden canoe. These events are all free, and all boats, paddles, and PFD’s (personal flotation devices, otherwise known as “life jackets”) are provided. See schedule for times and location.

Visitors to the Park may also rent canoes, kayaks, sailboats, pontoon boats, and other watercraft. The Crescent Bay Marine Boat Rental Concession is located on the South Shore, in the Crescent Bay area along Pleasant Valley Road (see Park map). Since the weekend of the Regatta is an especially busy one at the Park, those wishing to rent watercraft for some period during that time are advised to call ahead for reservations. The Boat Rental phone # is 724-368-9955.

Moraine Preservation Fund’s Nautical Nature pontoon boat will be providing mini-cruises from the South Shore only on both Saturday and Sunday. “Project BATitat “ will be featured on the trips and include a pass-by of the scientifically-designed habitat as specified by the PA Game Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Management. The summer roosting habitat will house a maternity colony of up to 6000 female bats and their young.

Round trip tours will leave the South Shore on the hour and cost $3 per person.

Saturday                          Sunday

9:00                                   9:00                                       

10:00                                10:00

11:00                                11:00

12:00                               12:00

1:00                                   1:00

2:00                                   2:00

3:00                                   3:00

Q - Can I rent a bike?

There is a Bike Rental Concession at the Park, located along North Shore Drive (see map). The Concession is open from 10 AM to 7 PM every day between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Available for rental are single and multi-geared bikes, tag-a-longs, children’s and tandem bikes, also child seats, helmets, and child pull-behind trailers. Rentals at your own risk. 724-368-9011.

The 7 mile paved Bike Trail at the Park. There is also a 1.25 mile unpaved trail heading west from the bike rental building over to McDanel’s and back.

Q - Is there camping in the Park?

There is no camping in Moraine State Park. There is however a number of commercial campgrounds close by. These include:

Q - Are there hotels/motels nearby?

There are numerous choices for overnight lodging in the Butler, Cranberry, and New Castle area, all within easy and quick reach of the Park. You may visit the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau’s website www.visitbutlercounty.com  or Lawrence County Tourist Promotion Agency ‘s website www.visitlawrencecounty.com for listings and contact information. You may also visit the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau’s booth here at the Regatta for suggestions, directions, and other lodging details.

Q - Can we go swimming?

The swimming beaches at both the South Shore and at Lakeview’s North Shore are available for swimming under a Bureau of State Parks Open Swim Policy. There are no lifeguards on duty.

Q - Are there ATM’s in the Park?

There will be an ATM’s at Regatta and there are several which are close by. In Portersville, Cal’s General Store and the First National Bank have ATM’s. Portersville is at the intersection of Rts. 19 and 488, about 3 miles south of Rt. 422.
At Exit 99 (Rt. 422) off I-79, the large Pilot Truck Stop has an ATM. Fairground Market on Rt. 422 about 6 miles east of Exit 99 off I-79, and across from the Butler Fairgrounds is ATM-equipped.