Lake Arthur, South Shore
submitted by Richard Nugent

The south shore loop is a 2.5-mile one-way road in Moraine State Park in Butler County with many good spots to view the lake. This area is primarily developed for swimming, boating, picnicking and hiking. As one travels the loop, the first parking lot on the right provides access to the Sunken Garden Trail and a good view of the swimming area of the lake. Other good birding areas are the swimming area parking lot, the Point Picnic Area, Windy Knob Picnic Area, Pleasant View Picnic Area and the Bear Run Boat Launch.

Directions: From Pittsburgh travel north on I-79 to Exit 99 (US422). Take US422 east about 2.4 miles to the Moraine SP exit. At the end of the exit ramp turn left on Pleasant Valley Road and drive about 0.5 miles to the park office on the left (get a map here). The 2.5-mile loop starts here. Go 0.3 miles to the first parking lot on the right (Sunken Garden Trail and views of lake). Travel 0.3 miles to the swimming area parking lot on the right (view of lake). Another 0.2 miles brings you to the Point Picnic area (view of lake). Another 0.8 miles and you are at the Windy Knob Picnic Area on the right (land birds). Drive another 0.2 miles and you are at the road on the left leading to the Pleasant View Picnic area (land birds). Last but not least, another 0.4 miles brings one to the road on the right leading to the Bear Run Launch area. Another 0.4 miles and the loop is complete.