The beaches at Presque Isle State Park in Erie were named the best freshwater beaches in the United States by the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Contest Friday.

The contest page described Presque Isle this way: "Visitors to Presque Isle State Park are in for a singular Pennsylvania experience: the state's only formidable shoreline, which boasts a number of beaches.

Beach 11 (photo) is the park's most sheltered, and therefore most serene. Its shallow water is a safe option for visitors with little ones and boasts views of the Erie skyline.

Beach 6 on the other hand, is a draw for young people, with its concession stands and volleyball courts. The flip side, it is often the most crowded."

Presque Isle encompases 3,200 acres on a sandy peninsula that arches into Lake Erie. As Pennsylvania’s only seashore, Presque Isle offers its visitors a beautiful coastline and a variety recreational activities, including swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, bicycling and in-line skating.

A National Natural Landmark, Presque Isle is a favorite spot for migrating birds. Because of the many unique habitats, Presque Isle contains a greater number of the state's endangered, threatened and rare species than any other area of comparable size in Pennsylvania.

Also featured at the park is the Tom Ridge Environmental Center which is not only home to a visitor and education center for the park, but also houses ground-breaking research facilities on Great Lakes and water quality issues affecting Lake Erie and a 75 foot observation tower.

For more information, visit DCNR’s Presque Isle State Park webpage.

NewsClips:

Presque Isle Wins National Best Beach Contest

Philadelphia Chosen To Host 2021 International Parks Conference

DCNR Secretary Recognized For Role In Preserving Environment

New Northwest Lancaster County River Trail Section, Visitor’s Center Open

Waterfront Road Will Fill Gap In D&L Trail

Lackawanna Heritage Valley Holds Meeting On Fell Twp Trail

Kennett Township Greenway Gets Green Award In Chester

Crowd Provides Input Into New Section Of Lackawanna Heritage Trail

Lackawanna Heritage Trail To Get 14 Cameras

Goal Reached To Save Appalachian Trail Hotel

Tourists Spent $1 Billion In Route 6 Corridor In 2014

Susquehanna River People Seeks To Save Island Retreat

National Geographic Effort To Boost Lehigh Valley Geotourism

3/21/2016