Dutch Country PA State Parks are located in Amish Country.
They are a nice addition to your list of things to do in this region of Pennsylvania.
After shopping at Lancaster outlets or visiting Gettysburg battlefields, relax outside at one of the parks.
Soak up some rays, and relax by a sparkling lake.
Big Spring State Park
717-536-3191
One of the PA State Parks in Conococheague Mountain 5.5 miles SW of New Germantown (Perry County PA) on PA 274.
picnic – tables, pavilions
hiking
In winter – snowmobile
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/bigspring.aspx
Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area
717-567-9255
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/boydbigtree.aspx
In Blue Mountain. On US 322 take Fishing Creek exit. Go E onto Fishing Creek Valley Road SR 443. Go 2.6 miles.
- hiking
- wildlife watching
- In winter – cross country skiing
Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park
717-485-3948
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/buchanansbirthplace.aspx
In Franklin County PA near Cove Gap on PA 16. From Rte 30 at Fort Loudon PA take PA 75 S, follow signs to Cove Gap.
- Picnic – tables, 2 pavilions
Caledonia State Park
101 Pine Grove Road
Fayetteville PA 17222
717-352-2161
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/caledonia.aspx
Between Chambersburg PA and Gettysburg PA on Rte 30 in the northern Blue Ridge mountains at intersection Rte 30 and PA 233.
- picnic – -tables, 2 pavilions
- fishing
- hiking
- swimming
- golf
- camping April – December – tents, trailers, group tenting and 2 homes for year round rental
- Fayetteville PA Hotels
Codorus State Park
2600 Smith Station Road
Hanover PA 17331
717-637-2816
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/codorus.aspx
One of the PA State Parks in southern York County PA. I-83 – Exit 8 then 18 miles W on PA 216. PA 116 – through Hanover, right on PA 216 E, 3 miles.
- picnic – tables, charcoal grills, 2 pavilions
- fishing on Lake Marburg
- hiking
- trail biking
- horseback riding
- scuba diving in Sinsheim Cove
- disc golf
- swimming
- boating on Lake Marburg – 7 launches, rentals of pontoons, motorboats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats
- camping April – October – tents, recreational vehicles (up to 50 feet), cottages
- In winter – snowmobile, cross country skiing, ice fishing, sledding, ice skating, ice boating
- Hanover PA Hotels
Colonel Denning State Park
1599 Doubling Gap Rd
Newville PA 17241
717-776-5272
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/coloneldenning.aspx
One of the PA State Parks in Cumberland County PA (north central) 8 miles N of Newville PA, 9 miles S of Landisburg PA on PA 233
- hiking
- picnic – tables, charcoal grills, 2 pavilions
- swimming
- orienteering
- fishing
- rustic camping – tent, trailers, group tenting
- In winter – cross country skiing, ice skating
Fowlers Hollow State Park
717-776-5272
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/fowlershollow.aspx
One of the PA State Parks in the Tuscarora State Forest. S on PA 274 in Blaine PA, go 1/4 mile, right over bridge. Or, off PA 274 W of New Germantown PA on Upper Buck Ridge Road.
- Fishing on Fowler Hollow Run
- picnic – tables, some grills, 1 pavilion
- trail biking
- horseback riding
- hiking
- rustic camping April – December – tents, trailers
- In winter – cross country skiing, snowmobile
Gifford Pinchot State Park
2200 Rosstown Rd
Lewisberry PA 17339
717-432-5011
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/giffordpinchot.aspx
In northern York County PA between Rossville PA and Lewisberry PA. Harrisburg via Lewisberry Exit (35) I-83 S, then PA 177 S. US 15 – S to Dillsburg PA to PA 74 S. York – PA 74 N or I-83 N. Take Newberrytown Exit (32), PA 382 W to PA 177 S.
- boating on Pinchot Lake – 3 launches, boat rentals
- hiking
- swimming
- picnic – tables, charcoal grills, horseshoe pits, 4 pavilions, softball field, volleyball court
- horseback riding
- fishing on Pinchot Lake
- disc golf
- biking
- camping April – October – tents, motor homes, cottages, group tenting, cabins
- In winter – ice fishing, ice skating, ice boating, cross country skiing
Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area
717-567-9255
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/josepheibberson.aspx
PA 322/22 – PA 225 N 4.5 miles. Before Matamoras, right on Camp Hebron Road 4.5 miles.
- hiking
- In winter: cross country skiing
Kings Gap Environmental Education Center
500 Kings Gap Rd
Carlisle PA 17015
717-486-5031
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/kingsgap.aspx
One of the PA State Parks in Cumberland County PA. 45 minutes S of Harrisburg PA . Entrance on Pine Road. I-81 – Exit 37, S on Rt 233 2.3 miles. Left onto Pine Road, 2.2 miles to Kings Gap Road. Right on Kings Gap Road, 3.5 miles to top of mountain.
- Orienteering
- hiking
- Carlisle PA Hotels
Little Buffalo State Park
1579 State Park Road
Newport PA 17074
717-567-9255
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/littlebuffalo.aspx
PA 322 – Newport Exit, follow PA 34 S through Newport PA. Go 1 mile, right onto Little Buffalo State Park Road. PA 322 – go 4.6 miles.
- swimming
- fishing on Holman Lake
- boating – 2 launches, rentals of canoes, rowboats, pedal boats
- camping April – October – tents, trailers, rustic cottages
- picnic – tables, charcoal grills, play field, playground, horseshoe pits, 3 pavilions
- hiking
- In winter – cross country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing
- Halloween Night every October
- Christmas Walk in December
Memorial Lake State Park
18 Boundary Road
Grantville PA 17028
717-865-6470
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/memoriallake.aspx
By Fort Indiantown Gap Military Reservation in East Hanover Township PA. 30 minutes E of Harrisburg PA. From North – Exit 85. From South – Exit 85B. N on Fisher Avenue, follow signs.
- boating on Memorial Lake (sailboating, sailboarding) – 2 launches, rentals of canoes, paddleboats, rowboats, kayaks, sailboards
- fishing on Memorial Lake
- hiking
- picnic – tables, charcoal grills, 2 pavilions
- In winter – cross country skiing, ice fishing, ice skating
- Grantville PA Hotels
Mont Alto State Park
717-352-2161
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/montalto.aspx
One of the PA State Parks in Franklin County PA. Take US 30, Lincoln Highway, travel 7 miles S on PA 233 or travel N on PA 233, 1 mile from Mont Alto PA.
- fish on west branch of Antietam Creek
- hiking
- picnic – tables, 2 pavilions
- In winter – snowmobile
Pine Grove Furnace State Park
1100 Pine Grove Road
Gardners PA 17324
717-486-7174
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/pinegrovefurnace.aspx
Southern Cumberland County PA in the Michaux State Forest. I-81 take Exit 37 to PA 233 S, go 8 miles.
- picnic – tables, charcoal grills, 2 pavilions
- boating on Laurel Lake – 1 launch, boat rental
- fishing on Laurel Lake
- biking
- hiking
- swimming
- camping year round – tents, trailers, group tenting, Paymasters cabin, AYH Hostel/Ironmaster’s Mansion (dorm style lodging)
- In winter – ice skating, ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling
Samuel S. Lewis State Park
717-432-5011
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/samuelslewis.aspx
In York County PA 12 miles E of York PA. Wrightsville exit Rt 30 – follow Cool Creek Road S 1.5 miles to Mt. Pisgah Road.
- picnic – tables, ball field, playground, 3 pavilions
- hiking
- kite flying
- Mt Pisgah offers a scenic view
- York PA Hotels
Susquehannock State Park
1880 Park Dr
Drumore, PA 17518
717-432-5011
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/susquehannock.aspx
Southern Lancaster County PA. PA 372 W of Buck PA, S on Susquehannock Drive to Park Drive.
- horseback riding
- hiking
- picnic – tables, grills, 2 pavilions
- river overlooks with scenic views
- camping – group tenting
Swatara State Park
717-865-6470
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/swatara.aspx
One of the PA State Parks in Lebanon County PA and Schuylkill County PA 14 miles N of Lebanon PA, 3 miles W of Pine Grove PA. From I-81 – Exit 90, Lickdale, then PA 72 N, Exit 100 – PA 443 W.
- Pine Grove PA Hotels
- fishing
- boating – canoeing
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail is located in the park
- hiking
- biking
- horseback riding
- In winter – cross country skiing
Enjoy your visit to Dutch Country PA State Parks.