Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200-acre sandy peninsula curving into Lake Erie eight miles west of downtown Erie, enclosing a protected bay of remarkable calm water on its eastern side. It is one of the most-visited state parks in Pennsylvania, offering eleven swimming beaches, 13 miles of cycling and running trails, kayak and paddleboard rentals, excellent birding, and some of the best freshwater sunsets anywhere in the country.
The park is free to enter and open year-round, though swimming is lifeguarded only in summer. Sunset Point at the far end of the peninsula is the place to be on a clear evening — the lake stretches away in all directions, and on good nights the sky turns extraordinary colours over the water. Birders come for the spring and autumn migrations: Presque Isle is a significant stopover on the Atlantic Flyway, and the variety of species recorded here over the years is impressive for an inland location.
Bikes can be rented at the park entrance. The trail around the entire peninsula is flat and manageable for families.