Exploring Lyman Run State Park in Potter County

Exploring Lyman Run State Park in Potter County Pennsylvania.

If you’re looking for the best things to see and do at Lyman Run State Park, you’re in the right place!

Lyman Run State Park is a 595-acre state park in Potter County, Pennsylvania.
Lyman Run State Park is a 595-acre state park in Potter County.

Lyman Run State Park is a 595-acre park located in northern Potter County.

A map to Lyman Run State Park in Potter County, PA.
A map to Lyman Run State Park in Potter County, PA.

At the heart of the park is Lyman Run Lake, a popular 45-acre man-made lake stocked with rainbow and palomino trout during the fishing season.

Lyman Run Lake is a 45-acre man-made lake within the park
Lyman Run Lake is a 45-acre man-made lake within the park

Lyman Run State Park is named for Major Isaac Lyman, an American Revolutionary War veteran who was one of the first permanent settlers in Potter County.

Lyman Run State Park is named for Major Isaac Lyman, an American Revolutionary War veteran who was one of the first permanent settlers in Potter County.
Lyman Run State Park is named for Major Isaac Lyman, an American Revolutionary War veteran who was one of the first permanent settlers in Potter County.

Many of the most popular activities at Lyman Run State Park center around the lake.

Fall foliage reflections on Lyman Run Lake in Potter County.
Fall foliage reflections on Lyman Run Lake in Potter County.

Lyman Run was first dammed to form the lake in 1951, that original dam was replaced by the current one in 2009.

Downstream view of Lyman Run dam and the fall foliage in October 2021.
The current Lyman Run dam was built in 2009.

Swimming, fishing, and boating are all popular uses for Lyman Lake.

The sawtooth Lyman Run Dam at Lyman Run State Park.
The sawtooth Lyman Run Dam at Lyman Run State Park.

A walking trail across the breast of the dam allows you to view the entire length of the 45-acre lake.

Looking across the breast of the dam at Lyman Run State Park.
Looking across the breast of the dam at Lyman Run State Park.

There are 6 miles of hiking trails within the park itself, with many of those trails linking to much longer trails in the surrounding Susquehannock State Forest.

Lyman Run State Park is named for the creek that runs through it, which is dammed to form Lyman Run Lake.
The park is surrounded by the Susquehannock State Forest.

There’s also a roadside scenic overlook just a five minute drive from the park office.

Lyman Lake Vista at Lyman Run State Park in Potter County.
Lyman Lake Vista.

And when I say roadside, I mean roadside!

The roadside Lyman Lake Vista in Potter County, PA.
The roadside Lyman Lake Vista in Potter County, PA.

The overlook is a fantastic spot to view the fall foliage at the park, which typically peaks in the first week in October.

Spectacular Fall foliage at Lyman Lake Vista along Rock Run Road in Potter County, PA.
Spectacular fall foliage views at Lyman Lake Vista.

So if you’re looking for a great daytrip off the beaten path in Potter County, check out Lyman Run State Park and the surrounding Susquehannock State Forest!

Lyman Run Lake and the surrounding Susquehannock State Forest in Potter County PA.
Lyman Run Lake and the surrounding Susquehannock State Forest.

Nearby Attractions

The Abandoned Ski Resort at Denton Hill State Park in Potter County is one of the more unusual state parks in PA.

Beautiful fall foliage surrounding the abandoned ski lifts at Denton Hill State Park.
Beautiful fall foliage surrounding the abandoned ski lifts at Denton Hill State Park.

Last operated in 2014, the ski resort at Denton Hill may be abandoned, but the state park is still open to visitors.

Ski lift at the abandoned Denton Hill State Park ski resort.
The abandoned ski resort at Denton Hill State Park in Potter County.

The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County uses historic artifacts and interactive exhibits to help visitors understand the history of the lumbering industry in the Keystone State, from the arrival of the first Europeans to the present day.

Exploring the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County.
Scenes from the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum.

Ole Bull State Park in Potter County is named in honor of Ole Bornemann Bull, a famous Norwegian violinist who purchased 11,144 acres in Potter County in 1852 and attempted to develop a Norwegian colony there that he dubbed “New Norway”.

Exploring Ole Bull State Park in Potter County PA
Scenes from Ole Bull State Park.

Boone Run Vista in Potter County is a roadside scenic overlook near the world-famous Cherry Springs State Park.

Bright red staghorn sumac at Boone Run Vista in Potter County PA.
Bright red staghorn sumac at Boone Run Vista.

14 Must-See Attractions in Potter County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near Lyman Run State Park.

Coudersport is the county seat of Potter County Pennsylvania.
Coudersport Theatre in the county seat of Potter County.

Colton Point State Park in neighboring Tioga County offers exceptional views of the PA Grand Canyon from its west rim.

Exploring Colton Point State Park in the PA Grand Canyon.
Fall foliage views at Colton Point State Park.

The Best Daytime Attractions Near Cherry Springs State Park is your guide to more outstanding Potter County destinations.

Cherry Springs Vista along Route 44 in Potter County Pennsylvania.
Cherry Springs Vista along Route 44 in Potter County.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.