Since 2002, the Friends of Raystown Lake have been responsible for the red, green, and white navigation lights on the shoreline of Raystown Lake. Situated on the peninsulas of the lake, the lights serve as essential aids to navigating the meandering, serpentine topography of the lake, thus improving the safety of all nighttime boaters. Our partners at the Pennsylvania Striped Bass Association, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Seven Points Marina, and Lake Raystown Resort have been essential in helping us to purchase, inspect, install, and maintain the navigation lights!
Raystown Lake Cleanup Day is the foundational event that brought the Friends of Raystown Lake together and perfectly embodies everything our group supports and stands for: environmental stewardship, recreation enhancement, civil service, partnership, and community building. Held annually in the spring, Lake Cleanup Day attracts hundreds of community members who have a vested interest in improving the health of our aquatic ecosystem and the experience of all lake users!
Our next Cleanup Day will be May 4th, 2024. Please contact 814-658-6811 or jenna.m.conner@usace.army.mil to RSVP
Since 2023, Friends of Raystown Lake has partnered with Raystown Area Discgolf to co-host various disc golf tournaments on the Seven Points Area courses. This collaboration aims to promote outdoor recreation at Raystown Lake. Tournaments include the Raystown Open (held in the spring), the MVP Circuit Challenge (held in the summer), and the Space Race (held in the fall). Funds raised by this partnership are used to improve the courses, install solar lights on Pine 9, and purchase permanent course signage
Signup for the 3rd Annual 'Race'town Space Race
Chalk the Walk is a unique, collaborative event between the Friends of Raystown Lake and the US Army Corps of Engineers that celebrates individual creativity and public art while promoting water safety awareness. Now in its 12th year, Chalk the Walk is a highly anticipated annual tradition!
Through partnerships with Energy Transfer, Juniata College, PA Striped Bass Association and the PA Fish and Boat Commission, Raystown Lake has recently completed numerous projects across the lake to enhance the fishery. Projects include stabilizing eroding shorelines, funding volunteer scale projects such as fish structure building and tree felling in the spring, raising or purchasing fish for stocking, and increasing handicap accessible shoreline fishing opportunities for visitors in Twin Hollows. The Friends of Raystown Lake were integral in securing the grants for this work, including a $24,000 grant from the PA Lake Management Society (PALMS) and a $75,000 grant from the Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership.
USA Today Outdoor Columnist Brian Whipkey highlights the achievement. Read the article below!
The success of Friends of Raystown Lake relies on the generosity of individuals like you. Consider donating today to help us sustain our diverse programs here at Raystown Lake!
Donate below or by mail. Checks payable to Friends of Raystown Lake can be mailed to:
Friends of Raystown Lake
PO Box 87
Hesston, PA 16647
Thank you!