Looking for some fun in the sun?

Centre County has several sandy beaches and swimming holes to offer, and they are all within a 30 mile radius of University Park. So grab the beach gear and get going.

Distance from Campus: 20 miles

Travel Time: 36 minutes

Whipple Dam is a popular destination for Penn State students. The 300-foot beach is open daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. The hours of operation are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lifeguards are on duty during this time. A bathhouse, picnic pavilions, a concession stand, sand volleyball court and boat rentals offer patrons a variety of ways to spend their time at Whipple Dam. Rowboats, paddleboats, and canoes can be rented by the hour as well.

Whipple Dam is accessible by turning east off Route 26 at the Whipple Dam State Park sign.

For more information visit, www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/whippledam.asp.

Distance From Campus: 22 miles

Travel Time: 37 minutes

A 1,200-foot long sand and turf beach borders a five-foot deep swimming area, which is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"Every day's a big event," said Dan Cola, assistant manager at Bald Eagle State Park. "It overlooks Bald Eagle Mountain. It's picturesque."

A fast food concession stand, bathhouse, playground, and several picnic areas are located near the beach.

Volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and the Butterfly trail are also popular attractions for beachgoers, Cola said. "When it's warm it can be heavily used, and it's free."

Boat rental offers another way to enjoy a summer day. Pontoon boats and ski boats are the most popular rentals according to Tom Evock, co-owner of Inland Marine & Power Sports Lakeside, (I.M.P.S.), the boat rental concession in the park.

"Pontoon boats are basically a floating living room,"Evock said. "It's a party boat."

Boat rentals cost $50 for one hour or $250 for a day (a day lasts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Fuel is not included. Because of a new state law, renters must also obtain a certification to use the boat, and this can be done at I.M.P.S. Lakeside.

To get to Bald Eagle State Park take Interstate 80 west to Exit 178. Travel north on U.S. Route 220 and then south on state Route 150.

For more information visit, www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/baldeagle.asp.

Distance from Campus: 25 miles

Travel Time: 39 minutes

The sandy beach and 250-acre lake at Black Moshannon is open from from 8 a.m. to sunset, late May to the middle of September. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. People looking to swim before or after the lifeguard shift can do so at their own risk, said Tammy Miller, a member of the park staff.

Canoes, paddleboats and rowboats are also available to rent.

The Park's name comes from the American Indian description of the place "Moss-Hanne" which means moose stream. "Black" comes from the color of the water in the lake.

Black Moshannon is located on U.S. Route 504, nine miles east of Philipsburg.

For more information visit, www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/blackmoshannon.asp.

Distance from Campus: 30 miles

Travel Time: 50 minutes

Poe Valley boasts a 25-acre lake and three swimming areas each five feet deep. The beach at Poe Lake is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and lifeguards are on duty during those hours.

A concession stand operates while the beach is open and sells food and supplies for use in the picnic area. Fishing areas and boat rentals are also available.

To get to Poe Valley from campus travel east on U.S. Route 322 to the top of Seven Mountains Scenic Area. From there follow the marked state forest roads to Poe Valley.

The park, created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, was named for Big Poe Creek that flows through the Valley.

For more information visit, www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/poevalley.asp.