We've found 4 lakes in Pennsylvania where gas engines can't be run and electric motors are allowed.
All of them let you launch a boat with a gas outboard as long as the outboard isn't run.
Gas boats OK, motor up You can launch a boat with a gas outboard. Leave it up and use your electric motor.No gas motors on board Remove the outboard or bring a boat without one.Gas boats: check first The rules don't say. Call before you tow a gas boat there.
Chapman Lake
Near Clarendon, Warren County
Electric motors onlyGas boats OK, motor up
Electric motors only; slow, no-wake speed.
Size
68 acres
Launch
Boat launch on western side
Gas outboards
Gas motors may stay on the boat but may not be run (58 Pa. Code 107.2)
Fees & permits
Motorboats need a boat registration from any state; non-powered boats need a registration, state park launch/mooring permit, or PFBC launch permit.
Other rules
Slow, no-wake speed. Seasonal mooring spaces.
Fish
Brook and brown trout (stocked), bluegill, sunfish, yellow perch, largemouth bass (per Wikipedia)
Managed by
PA DCNR, Chapman State Park
What the official rules say
Electric motors only; slow, no-wake speed … State rule (58 Pa. Code 107.2): internal combustion motors "need not be removed," "but the operation of engines is specifically prohibited."
Hills Creek Lake
Near Wellsboro, Tioga County
Electric motors onlyGas boats OK, motor up
Electric motors only; slow, no-wake speed.
Size
137 acres
Launch
Concrete boat ramps (two launch areas)
Gas outboards
Gas motors may stay on the boat but may not be run (58 Pa. Code 107.2)
Fees & permits
Motorboats must display a current boat registration; non-powered boats need a registration, a PA state park launch/mooring permit, or a PFBC launch permit.
Electric motors only; slow, no-wake speed … State rule (58 Pa. Code 107.2): internal combustion motors "need not be removed," "but the operation of engines is specifically prohibited."
Laurel Lake
Near Gardners, Cumberland County
Electric motors onlyGas boats OK, motor up
Electric motors only; slow, no-wake speed.
Size
25 acres
Launch
Boat launch plus 85 mooring spaces
Gas outboards
Gas motors may stay on the boat but may not be run (58 Pa. Code 107.2)
Fees & permits
Motorboats must display a current boat registration; non-powered boats need a registration, a PA state park launch/mooring permit, or a PFBC launch permit.
Other rules
Slow, no-wake speed. Boating is prohibited on nearby Fuller Lake.
Fish
Pickerel, trout, perch (per Wikipedia)
Managed by
PA DCNR, Pine Grove Furnace State Park
What the official rules say
Electric motors only; slow, no-wake speed … State rule (58 Pa. Code 107.2): internal combustion motors "need not be removed," "but the operation of engines is specifically prohibited."
Pinchot Lake
Near Rossville, York County
Electric motors onlyGas boats OK, motor up
Electric motors only; slow, no-wake speed.
Size
340 acres
Launch
Three launch areas, open 24 hours
Gas outboards
Gas motors may stay on the boat but may not be run (58 Pa. Code 107.2)
Fees & permits
Motorboats must display a current boat registration; non-powered boats need a registration, a PA state park launch/mooring permit, or a PFBC launch permit.
Other rules
Slow, no-wake speed. Seasonal mooring April 1–October 1. Electric motors for rent at the boat concession in summer.
Fish
Bass (per Wikipedia)
Managed by
PA DCNR, Gifford Pinchot State Park
What the official rules say
Electric motors only; slow, no-wake speed … State rule (58 Pa. Code 107.2): internal combustion motors "need not be removed," "but the operation of engines is specifically prohibited."
No lakes match. Try another state or clear the search.
Before you go
Rules change, and some lakes close for the season or have their own permits. We link each lake to the agency page that states its motor rule, and show the month we checked it (most recently October 2026). Confirm the current rules with the lake's manager before you head out. Your state's boat registration and safety-equipment rules still apply on electric-only lakes.
Know a lake we're missing, or a rule that's changed? Tell us.
