Discovering Presque Isle State Park, Erie’s Lakeside Gem

Pennsylvania

October 2025

Erie’s Natural Harbor

We spent two nights in Erie, PA, breaking up our long journey to New England. A highlight was Presque Isle, Pennsylvania’s only “seashore.” This scenic peninsula shapes Presque Isle Bay, whose sheltered waters have long protected ships from Lake Erie’s rough waves. Thanks to this natural harbor, Erie became, and remains, an important Great Lakes port.

A Walk to Presque Isle Lighthouse

We began our visit to Presque Isle with a walk to one of the peninsula’s landmarks, the Presque Isle Lighthouse, described by its first keeper as “The Loneliest Place on Earth”. First lit in 1873, it is still a working lighthouse today, maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. However, it no longer functions with oil; instead, today, it is powered by electricity.

The lighthouse has been open to the public since 2014, but when we arrived, the gate was closed. Just as we were wondering what to do, a friendly caretaker drove up, handed us a map, and shared some tips about what to see on the island. He suggested we take a stroll around to the sandy beach for a better view of the lighthouse complex and a perfect photo opportunity. I was grateful for his advice; he was absolutely right!

Remembering Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie

Next, we stopped at the Perry Monument, a 103-foot limestone tower honoring Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, who won the Battle of Lake Erie, defeating the British. A flag commemorates Perry’s famous words, “Don’t Give Up the Ship,” a reminder of his courage and determination.

From here, the views over the Erie skyline and over Misery Bay were stunning. Today, this peaceful scene contrasts with the hardships Perry’s men endured during the brutal winter that gave the bay its name.

Presque Isle’s Houseboats Heritage

On our way to the canal, we saw the historic houseboats at Horseshoe Pond. This area is another one of Presque Isle’s gems. Only 24 houseboats are allowed here, making them a rare and unique sight.

The practice dates back to 1890, when Russian and Slovak settlers, unable to afford traditional homes, built their first floating houses in Erie. Today, these charming houseboats are reminders of the resilience of immigrants as they rebuild their lives in a new country.

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Oh Well, No More Lights Today!

Near the channel, we couldn’t find the Erie Harbor North Pierhead Light since the pier was closed for maintenance. Across the channel, we didn’t spot the Erie Lighthouse either. Not a big deal, though. If the keeper hadn’t mentioned those two extra lighthouses, we wouldn’t have gone looking for them anyway. I did, however, get a nice shot of the channel from Presque Isle Bay to Lake Erie.

A Sprint to End Our Visit

We wrapped up our visit to the park with a short 30-minute run. I was aiming for three runs a week to maintain, or even improve, my speed and distance. The trail offered a mix of beauty and challenge, with rough paths that required my full attention. Still, it was a perfect way to say goodbye to Presque Isle State Park.