In most states some portion of beaches are public land and all members of the public have a right to use that portion of the beach. The ability to walk along the beach is known as lateral beach access.

But the land between where people can park or walk to the beach and where they can enjoy the beach is often private property, making it difficult to provide access to the public while protecting personal property rights. The ability to reach the beach is known as vertical beach access.

Laws regarding public access to beaches vary from state to state but many states recognize the public trust doctrine, a legal doctrine that certain natural resources such as beaches are owned or held by the government in trust for the public’s use and enjoyment and that the government has an obligation to protect and maintain these resources for the public.

In Pennsylvania, the public trust doctrine applies to the state's natural resources, including beaches. This doctrine establishes that certain resources are held in trust by the state for the public's use and enjoyment. Pennsylvania's beaches along Lake Erie are subject to this doctrine, ensuring public access to these areas. However, the state does not have extensive oceanfront beaches like coastal states, and the issues of lateral and vertical beach access are less prominent. The state's regulations and policies aim to balance public access to beaches with the rights of private property owners. While the public may have the right to use certain portions of the beach, access points may be limited, and private property rights can restrict the ability to reach these public areas. It is important for individuals to be aware of local ordinances and state regulations regarding beach access and to respect private property boundaries when attempting to access public beaches in Pennsylvania.