Looking to beat the heat this summer? Check out Laurel Hill Lake boat rentals!
Why Laurel Hill
I’ll be honest – I normally think of the Laurel Highlands as a winter destination. The crowds are lower (if you’re not skiing), the lakes look beautiful in the snow, and maybe I just love being cold after living in Southern California for three years.
However, I was SLEEPING on Laurel Hill as a great state park to visit in the summer. This park has everything: camping, hiking, fishing, and my new favorite sport, paddleboarding! Visitors can rent all types of boats, not just SUPs. This park is another reminder of how much I love the Laurel Highlands.
Read on for more information on how to rent boats at Laurel Hill State Park!
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Laurel Hill Boat Rental Overview
Where to Rent: Hazelbaker’s Boat and Bike Rentals right on Laurel Hill Lake
Address: Laurel Hill State Park Lake, Somerset, PA 15501
Pricing: Boat rental prices are $14 per person per hour, making this one of the more budget friendly boat rental near Pittsburgh
Types of Boat Rentals: The Laurel Lake location offers kayaking (single and double), pedal boats, SUPs, and canoes.
Reservations: Boat rentals are first come, first serve!
Additional Options: Hazelbakers also rent bikes for park visitors to use on the trail.
Looking for more places to rent boats? Check out my guide to Best Places to SUP Near Pittsburgh!
Boat Rental Review
I really enjoyed renting a stand up paddleboard at Laurel Hill Lake. Read on for an overview of the experience!
My friend and I were planning a day at the park for a hike when she suggested we go SUP afterwards. We did the Lake Loop around the lake from the trailhead parking lot, then headed to the parking lot for rentals. (If we had planned better, we could have started the lake loop from the Copper Kettle trailhead and ended up near the rentals. Next time!)
Rentals are located near the beach at Laurel Hill Lake. They are located in a little kiosk all the way to the left of the beach, down behind the main outdoor pavilion and to the left of the indoor pavilion. (It’s a little hard to see from the parking lot.) There is no restroom at the kiosk, so you will have to walk over to the larger buildings or use the single pavilion restroom before paddling.
The rental process was super easy. We told the cashier what type of boat we wanted and she checked us out with a credit card. I was able to leave my bag with my wallet and car keys with her in the kiosk. We grabbed a lifejacket and a paddle from the box of paddles and headed to the beach. The staff member at the beach was very helpful in telling us the rules and explaining how to best stay upright on the paddleboard.
Once we got going on the lake, it was amazing! We saw some wildlife including two beavers, multiple herons, and a lot of fish. It was so cool to be able to see wildlife from the middle of the lake. It was pretty easy to stay upright on the SUPs since the water was so calm and my board was pretty big.
Looking for more things to do at Laurel Hill State Park in the summer? Check out my guide to Best Hikes in Laurel Hill!
Laurel Hill Lake Boat Rental Pros and Cons
With all things, there are pros and cons to renting at Laurel Hill. Overall I had a great experience but wanted to highlight things that may not be for everyone.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Great location – Staff was very friendly and willing to help us feel comfortable getting started on the boards – Took credit cards instead of being cash only | – Additional hour was same price as first hour (where other places discount for additional hours after your first) – Not allowed to swim off of the boats |
FAQs about Laurel Hill Lake Boat Rentals
Can you kayak at Laurel Hill State Park?
Yes! Kayaks are one of the rental options as well as as canoes, SUPs, and paddle boats.
Can I pay with a credit card for boat rental?
Yes! The boat rental stand at Laurel Hill accepts both credit card and cash.
What else can I do at Laurel Hill State Park?
Laurel Hill also offers hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, and other outdoor activities for all of the nature lovers in your family.
How far away is Laurel Hill State Park from Pittsburgh?
Laurel Hill is just under seventy minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. It’s a perfect length for a day trip, but if you want something a little closer, check out Raccoon Creek State Park!
What to Pack for Renting a Boat at Laurel Hill State Park
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Nothing ruins a summer adventure like not bringing the right things! Make sure you’re packing all of your sun protection and dry clothes. Below are my recommendations on what to pack for a day on the lake.
- Sunglasses – I love Goodrs because they’re sturdy, work well and are budget friendly so I don’t have to stress when if I lose them
- Sun hat
- Bathing suit or clothes for water activities – I don’t always love wearing a bikini so I’m loving these water resistant shorts from Stio. They dry SO quickly!
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Water bottle
- Dry bag if you want to keep stuff in the boat (wouldn’t recommend bringing for SUP unless it has a clip)
- Waterproof phone case
- Snacks
- Sandals – I love my Tevas or my plastic Birkenstocks
- Change of clothes for the car ride home (don’t forget to stop at Sheetz!)
Check out my guide on what to wear stand up paddleboarding so you don't forget anything!
Overall, I highly recommend renting a boat from Hazelbaker’s at Laurel Hill State Park. It was a great way to get out of the city, enjoy nature, and appreciate the amazing views from the lake.
Updated Aug 1, 2024