Managers at local parks are expecting a busy Fourth of July and holiday weekend.

“We’re ready for the weekend,” said Dave Horvath, manager of Mauch Chunk Lake Park near Jim Thorpe. “We expect a good crowd.”

Because of the expectations, Horvath said the park will limit admission to its beach and picnic areas on Friday. Only Carbon County residents, season pass holders, campers and pavilion renters will be admitted, he said.

He stressed that the restriction is only for the Independence Day holiday.

This is now several years that the county has limited access to the lake on the Fourth of July holiday.

During the pandemic in 2020, the commissioners restricted the swimming area to allow residents a recreational space while social distancing.

The beach area was opened to everyone again during the holiday in 2021 and 2022; however, the commissioners decided to try closing the swimming area to out-of-county residents for the 2022 Labor Day weekend to allow for residents to enjoy the park.

The following year, the commissioners voted to a policy change for the Fourth of July holiday, which was well received by county residents.

Other parts of the park will remain open for boating, watercraft rentals, fishing, hiking, biking and other recreational activities.

Horvath noted that park staff will monitor traffic and the number of people at the beach area. If it reaches capacity, he said, visitors will be turned away.

“People need to be prepared, because we might at some point have to cut it off depending on how crowded it is,” Horvath said. “It’s best to get to the park as early as possible.”

He added that all of the park’s 135 campsites are spoken for.

“We are fully booked for the weekend,” Horvath said.

Cody Miller, manager of Beltzville State Park, said he and staff are ready for the holiday weekend.

“There was a prediction of rain last week, but the forecast changed and now it is looking like it is going to be a beautiful weekend,” Miller said.

Sunny and rain-free weather forecasts bring more people.

“I think we will be busy Friday through Sunday,” Miller said.

Beltzville reached capacity on Sunday, and rangers began turning visitors away around 4 p.m.

“We have parking for over 900 vehicles, and we close when it reaches that point,” Miller said.

The park’s day use area, which includes a beach and picnic area, opens at 8 a.m. daily. Early arrivals may park at Pine Run boat launch while waiting for the main gate to open. Visitors should not park on roadsides or block traffic. No parking is permitted at the Wild Creek and Trinity Gorge trailheads Friday to Sunday.

On Independence Day last year, the park closed by 8:45 a.m. and thousands were turned away.

At Tuscarora State Park in Barnesville, all yurts and cottages have been reserved for the weekend. The park has a number of picnic tables, along with trails, but its beach area was closed Tuesday due to poor water quality. Those hoping to swim should check the park’s website on the day they plan to visit.

Camping at Locust Lake State Park in Barnesville hasn’t opened for the season, but folks can visit its beach or walk its trails. There is no picnic area.

All but one of Hickory Run State Park’s campsites had been booked for the long weekend as of Wednesday evening.

Lehighton, Northern Lehigh, Palmerton and Tamaqua pools are also open for swimming.