Frequently Asked Questions

Where within Moraine State Park do the Regatta events take place, and how do I get there?

Is the rest of the Park open during the Regatta? Where can I go in the Park to avoid Regatta traffic and crowds?

Where do I park? Is the Regatta Handicapped-accessible?

Are there restroom facilities?

Is there an admission charge? What are the extra costs, if any, and how much for what?

What are the “Kid-Friendly” activities?

What are the hours?

Fireworks?

Can I ride in a Canoe or Kayak? Can I rent a boat?

Can I rent a bike?

Is there camping in the Park?

Are there hotels/motels nearby?

Q - Where within Moraine State Park do the Regatta events take place, and how do I get there?

Almost all of the Regatta takes place at the Lakeview area on the North Shore (see map).

• From the East - from US 422, watch for the North Shore Exit about ½ mile west of the causeway over Lake Arthur. Follow the exit road ¼ mile to a stop sign at a T intersection, and turn right onto North Shore Drive. Follow this road about 2 ½ miles to the entrance to Lakeview, on the right.
• From the West - from US 422 at I-79 interchange, stay on 422 east-bound. Proceed about 2 miles, crossing over Lake Arthur, to Moraine State Park South Shore Exit. At the end of the exit ramp turn left, pass under 422, and immediately turn left to re-enter US 422 west-bound. Watch for the North Shore Exit about ½ mile west of the causeway over Lake Arthur. Follow the exit road ¼ mile to a stop sign at a T intersection, and turn right onto North Shore Drive. Follow this road about 2 ½ miles to the entrance to Lakeview, on the right.
• From the North and South - from I-79, exit at Exit 99 (US 422). Turn east onto 422. Proceed about 2 miles, crossing over Lake Arthur, to Moraine State Park South Shore Exit. At the end of the exit ramp turn left, pass under 422, and immediately turn left to re-enter US 422 west-bound. Watch for the North Shore Exit about ½ mile west of the causeway over Lake Arthur. Follow the exit road ¼ mile to a stop sign at a T intersection, and turn right onto North Shore Drive. Follow this road about 2 ½ miles to the entrance to Lakeview, on the right.

Some events will also take place at the McDanel’s launch area, particularly those associated the Moraine Preservation Fund, one of the premier volunteer organizations which contribute to the preservation and improvement of the Park. MPF’s Nautical Nature pontoon boat will be in operation as a Water Taxi on a regular schedule between Lakeview and McDanel’s. See schedule for hours of Water Taxi operation. Costs will be $1 per person each way. See map for McDanel’s location, and schedule for McDanel’s events and times.

Q - Is the rest of the Park open during the Regatta? Where can I go in the Park to avoid Regatta traffic and crowds?

Moraine State Park is in all respects “open for business” as usual during the Regatta weekend. Since almost all of the Regatta events take place within the relatively small confines of Lakeview, one can visit ‘most every other area of the Park and be essentially unaware that the Regatta is going on.

Q - Where do I park? Is the Regatta Handicapped-accessible?

There are a couple of large parking areas within Lakeview itself, as well as several large open areas for overflow parking just outside of Lakeview. Traffic control personnel will be able to direct visitors to parking as appropriate. Free shuttle bus service from the overflow lots into Lakeview will be running continuously during the hours that the Regatta is going on.

There is some limited handicapped parking within Lakeview, in close proximity to the action. When the Lakeview lots are full, handicapped guests may still temporarily pull vehicles into a designated zone for loading/unloading passengers. Such guests should inform Traffic Personnel, who will then direct you as appropriate.

The topography of Lakeview is largely flat to very gently sloping, with a number of both paved and graveled paths and walkways connecting areas. Wheel chairs should have no difficulty in visiting 90% of the Regatta activities.

There is also significant parking availability at the McDanel’s launch area, a short distance across the lake to the west of Lakeview. MPF’s Nautical Nature pontoon boat will be in operation as a Water Taxi on a regular schedule between Lakeview and McDanel’s. Costs will be $1 per person each way. See schedule for hours of Water Taxi operation.

Q - Are there restroom facilities?

There are three permanent restroom facilities at Lakeview, with the largest being the “change house” building near the observation deck above the beach. They are all handicapped-accessible. See Lakeview map for locations.

Q - Is there an admission charge? What are the extra costs, if any, and how much for what?

There is no admission charge to visit the Regatta. We will have a station set up along North Shore Drive where donations to help defray the Regatta’s expenses are solicited, but these donations are entirely voluntary and are not a requirement to visit the Regatta’s events. All events at the Regatta are free, with the exception of the helicopter rides - where a $20 per person fee is charged ($10 for children)- and the canoe/kayak races on Saturday - $15 registration fee to race. Food and craft vendors will of course charge for their wares.

Q - What are the “Kid-Friendly” activities?

This varies with the age of the Kid, of course. A number of “Children’s Craft Clinics” will be conducted during the course of both Saturday and Sunday, at which kids (and their parents) may assemble a variety of small, simple wooden objects (birdhouses, model boats, and the like). The clinics are free.
Lifeguards will be conducting Beach Games at the Swimming Beach on both days from Noon to 5 both days, starting at the top of each hour.  These games will consist of a number of age-appropriate races and physical activities, with small prizes awarded for the participants.

Woodsy Owl (“Give a Hoot; don’t Pollute!”), Smokey the Bear, Yogi Bear and Pittsburgh Puppets will be wandering through Lakeview to visit with everyone.

For older kids, Dead Fish Polo and the Kayak Experience will provide the opportunity to paddle their own boat for short guided and accompanied excursions on the lake. There is no charge.
The Moraine Model Mariners will have radio-controlled model boats both on display and in operation on the lake during the Regatta. See schedule for times and location.

And swimming at the Beach of course, for everyone. Lifeguard hours for swimming beach are 11:00 am to 7:00 pm both days.

At McDanel’s, kids can meet Annie the Barn Owl, and participate in a Fishing Tournament just for them.

Q - What are the hours?

In general the Regatta will be in operation from 10 AM to after fireworks (about 9:30 PM or so) on Saturday, and 10 AM to 6 PM on Sunday. The Lakeview area opens at daylight, so that those who may wish to arrive a little earlier for parking purposes may certainly do so. See the schedule for the times that specific events/activities will be taking place, and their location.

Q - Fireworks?

Fireworks over the Lake are one of the highlights of the Regatta. The fireworks will take place on Saturday night only, beginning about 9:00 PM. They are launched from Barber Point, just a short distance southeast from Lakeview.

The best viewing location for Regatta visitors is the beach area at Lakeview, but one may also have good viewing from several locations on the other side of the Lake, notably the Bear Run launch area directly across from Lakeview. Many boaters take their craft out onto the lake at dusk, and watch the show from the water. Those who choose this option should be sure to have proper running lights on their craft for night operation (or in the case of boats 16 feet in length or less, a working flashlight or other light source aboard) to comply with PA Fish and Boat Commission regulations.

Q - Can I ride in a Canoe or Kayak? Can I rent a boat?

Several paddling events are open to visitors at the Regatta. Dead Fish polo, an elimination game using canoes. The Kayak Experience, in which visitors may try paddling a kayak on a short excursion on the lake. The Voyageur Canoe, in which visitors may take a short ride in a 24 foot wooden canoe. These events are all free, and all boats, paddles, and PFD’s (personal flotation devices, otherwise known as “life jackets”) are provided. See schedule for times and location.

Visitors to the Park may also rent canoes, kayaks, sailboats, pontoon boats, and other watercraft. The Crescent Bay Marine Boat Rental Concession is located on the South Shore, in the Crescent Bay area along Pleasant Valley Road (see Park map). Since the weekend of the Regatta is an especially busy one at the Park, those wishing to rent watercraft for some period during that time are advised to call ahead for reservations. The Boat Rental phone # is 724-368-9955. There are no boat rentals available at Lakeview.

The Nautical Nature pontoon boat will also be in operation during the Regatta, serving as a Water Taxi between Lakeview and the McDanel’s launch area on a regular schedule. Regatta visitors are welcome to come aboard for the trip out and back, just for the ride if they wish. Costs for the taxi service will be $1 per person each way.

Q - Can I rent a bike?

There is a Bike Rental Concession at the Park, located along North Shore Drive (see map). The Concession is open from 10 AM to 7 PM every day between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Available for rental are single and multi-geared bikes, tag-a-longs, children’s and tandem bikes, also child seats, helmets, and child pull-behind trailers. Rentals at your own risk. 724-368-9011.

The 7 mile paved Bike Trail at the Park has re-opened for 2008 after being closed in 2007 while undergoing some much-needed improvements. There is also a 1.25 mile unpaved trail heading west from the bike rental building over to McDanel’s and back.

Q - Is there camping in the Park?

There is no camping in Moraine State Park. There are however a number of commercial campgrounds close by. These include:

Q - Are there hotels/motels nearby?

There are numerous choices for overnight lodging in the Butler, Cranberry, and New Castle area, all within easy and quick reach of the Park. You may visit the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau’s website www.visitbutlercounty.com  for listings and contact information. You may also visit the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau’s booth here at the Regatta for suggestions, directions, and other lodging details.

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