Hiking at Maurice K. Goddard State Park

16 miles of trails

The trails pass near the lake, through forests and fields.

John C. Oliver Multi-Purpose Trail Loop
12 miles, more difficult hiking, paved trail and roadway

​This scenic loop is composed of two trail sections.

Trail parking can be accessed along the trail at boat launches or the marina. The main trail parking area is on Lake Wilhelm Road between the bridge and the park office.

Along the north shore, the scenic loop is open to hiking, biking, and snowmobiling. This section contains short, steep runs that may be difficult to climb for some bikers. The north shore has many vistas that overlook the lake.

The trail on the south shore is open to hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. The south shore of the lake has areas of trail that share the road with motor vehicles. The trail runs from the dam to Lake Wilhelm Road.

To complete the loop, hike Lake Wilhelm Road to connect the south and north portions of the trail.

Falling Run Nature Trail
0.7-mile loop trail, yellow blazes, more difficult hiking

This self-guided nature trail follows some of the old logging roads as it winds its way to the hemlock forested Falling Run Ravine.

Falling Run drops 90 feet in elevation in less than 1,000 feet, cascading over a small waterfall. Hikers will find signs of a pioneer settlement of the George Y. Stright family, including the spring house and mill pond near the trailhead. Signs of the log cabin, old gristmill, and sawmill have all but vanished.

Goddard Mckeever Hiking Trail
2.84 miles within the park (3.14 miles total), yellow blazes, more difficult hiking

This trail connects Maurice K. Goddard State Park to McKeever Environmental Learning Center’s trail system. A sealed coal mine shaft is near the top of Coal Hill.

Picnicking at Maurice K. Goddard State Park

This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
Picnic tables and charcoal grills are available throughout the park. Boat launches #1, #2, #3, #4, and the marina have restrooms and large picnic areas.

Picnic pavilions can be reserved in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wildlife Watching at Maurice K. Goddard State Park

The large lake, abundant wetlands, old fields, and mature forests provide a diversity of habitats that attracts wildlife in all seasons.

Once pushed to the edge of extinction, bald eagles and ospreys have rebounding populations. Both of these fish eating raptors nest near Lake Wilhelm.

The combination of old fields and mature forests are home to many birds, including:

American woodcock
Common snipe
Common nighthawk
Many species of warblers
In the spring and fall, waterfowl by the thousands stop at the lake for a quick rest and snack. Some of the noteworthy waterfowl, include:

Loon
Teal
Merganser
Goldeneye
Bufflehead
The winter is a good time to see the many woodpeckers, including the pileated woodpecker.

In the summer, turtles are abundant in the quiet waters by the Marina. The wetland across Lake Wilhelm Road from the marina entrance has a waterfowl observation station and is a great place to see osprey and beaver.

Boating at Maurice K. Goddard State Park

20 horsepower motors permitted

The 1,680-acre Lake Wilhelm has a 241-slip marina and a 48-space dry land mooring area available from May 1 to October 31.

The marina has:

250 car parking spaces
121 car/trailer parking spaces
Four-lane boat-launching ramp
Courtesy dock
Marina building
Fueling station
In addition to the marina, there are seven other boat launches around the lake. Four are within the state park and three are in the state game lands.

Spaces on the kayak/canoe storage rack at Launch #3 can be reserved in advance for a fee.

The 240-acre portion of the lake northwest of Interstate 79 is managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission as part of State Game Lands 270, while the remaining 1,440 acres is managed by Maurice K. Goddard State Park.

Only electric-powered and non-powered vessels are permitted in the Game Commission section of the lake.

Motorboats must display a current boat registration.

Fishing at Maurice K. Goddard State Park

The 1,680-acre Lake Wilhelm is a warmwater fishery.

Common species are:

Largemouth bass
Walleye
Crappie
Muskellunge
Bluegill
Catfish
Perch
Sunfish
This activity or structure is ADA accessible. An area called the “Rounded Point,” near the marina parking lot, has an ADA accessible fishing pier.
A bait and fishing tackle concession is available at the marina.

Ice Fishing
Ice fishing accounts for many of the larger fish caught in Lake Wilhelm. Ice thickness is not monitored.

Hunting at Maurice K. Goddard State Park

During established seasons, more than 1,155 acres of Maurice K. Goddard State Park and Lake Wilhelm are open to:

Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
Common game species are:

Deer
Ring-necked pheasant
Waterfowl
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.

Biking at Maurice K. Goddard State Park

12 miles of trails

The paved John C. Oliver Multi-Purpose Trail Loop follows the shoreline. It can be accessed from boat launches #1, #2, and #4, the marina, the parking lot below the park office, the dam, and Dugan Run.

The trail is open to:

Two-way bicycle traffic
Hiking
Snowmobiling
Cross-country skiing
Stay to the right while bike riding.

Please park bicycles off of the trail to avoid obstructing traffic.

Sledding at Maurice K. Goddard State Park

There is a one-acre hill for sledding at the dam.

Cross-Country Skiing at Maurice K. Goddard State Park

There are about six miles of trails marked for cross-country skiing for beginner to expert skiers.

Ice Skating at Maurice K. Goddard State Park

Launch #3 has an unmaintained ice skating area. Ice thickness is not monitored.

Snowmobiling at Maurice K. Goddard State Park

Snowmobiling is permitted on approximately six miles of the paved bike trail on the north side of Lake Wilhelm (from the park office to the dam), conditions permitting. The trail can be accessed from the Boat Launch #4 and the park office parking areas.

A minimum six-inch snowpack is required. Studded track snowmobiles are prohibited.