Presque Isle

Scene II
Presque Isle

Sand Dunes, Beach Eight

Translated to “almost an island," Presque Isle includes over 13 miles of roads and 3,000 sandy acres and protrudes into Lake Erie. The peninsula’s neck, located four miles west of downtown Erie connects to the mainland, creating Presque Isle Bay. This National Natural Landmark welcomes over 4 millions hikers, boaters, fishers, swimmers, skiers, skaters and bikers each year.



Battle Flight, Perry Monument

Built in 1926 on the banks of Misery Bay, the Perry Monument commemorates Commodore Perry's victory over the English during the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813.
Mistrustful Safety, Misery Bay
The temporary shelter for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and his men during the construction of his fleet in the War of 1812. After fighting the British near today’s Sandusky, Ohio, Perry and his men returned to Misery Bay in fear of another British uprising. That winter, many of Perry’s men suffered and died from smallpox while experiencing other hardships, giving Misery Bay its name in remembrance of the Battle of Lake Erie




Light Houses

Channel Light

When it was built in 1872 the Channel Light became the second light house on Lake Erie. Today it is maintained by the US Coast Guard and is the residence of the park manager. The signature white flashes warn ships of the sandy peninsula that protrudes into Lake Erie.

North Pier Light
The 30-foot black and white steel tower maintained by the Coast Guard marks the mouth of Presque Isle Bay. In 1995, the narrow Fresnel lens was replaced with a modern optic that provided a longer focal length

US Coast Guard Station #236

The US Life Saving Service was established at Presque Isle in 1876 and became US Coast Guard Station #236, LSS Presque Isle almost 40 years later after merging with the Revenue Cutter Service.

Marina

Accommodates 500 boats up to 42 feet in length from the beginning of May to the end of October, provides gasoline including diesel as well as food, refreshments and a sewage pump out station.

Picnic Areas



Pavilions can be reserved for larger parties or are available free of charge on a first come first serve basis. Shelters also include electricity, water, tables, fireplaces, grills as well as charcoal disposals.

Fishing

Presque Isle’s four boat launches create easy access to popular fishing spots that are home to perch, walleye, smelt, panfish, bass, muskellunge, northern pike, crappies, and steelhead.

The Last Glacier Standing

The moraine across Lake Erie was formed by the last major ice sheet tha covered the majority of northern Pennsylvania at the end of the Wisconsin Glaciation.

Beach 9, Pine Tree Beach

One of the park's largest and sandiest beaches, includes a picnic pavilion and a restroom.

Protected Shelter

Each containing a different plant and animal community, Presque Isle’s six distinct ecological zones can be seen in the lake; including the bay and shoreline; new ponds; dunes and ridges; old ponds and marshes; as well as forests.

Fossil Beach, Beach Eleven

Most sheltered beach; known for its shallow and clear waters.

Presque Isle was created from 11,000 years of constant wave movement and still continues to slowly shift Eastward. Although Presque Isle's history began after the last Ice Age, its present beauty attracts over four million tourists a year.