Susquehannock State Park

Susquehannock State Park is a 224 acre park in southern Lancaster County overlooking the Susquehanna river.  The park features several overlooks over the Susquehanna River.   Additionally, nearby Pinnacle overlook in Lancaster County and Urey Overlook and York County are part of the park complex.  The park is a lovely stop off for picnicking and hiking.

Susquehannock State Park at Hawks Point Overlook
Hawks Point Overlook

Feature Summary

 

Hiking

Nature Trail (0.3 mi, easiest hiking, out and back):  The Nature trail is a short easy trail that van be taken from the overlook trail to make the trail a loop.  Hardwood trees, ferns, and wildflowers can be viewed along the trail.

Susquehannock State Park Nature Trail

Overlook Trail (0.75 mi, Most difficult hiking, out and back):  Park at the Hawk Point picnic pavilion parking lot.  You can walk up the road to the trial head or walk toward Hawk Point Overlook from the parking lot.  At Hawk Point Overlook, enjoy the views of the Susquehanna River and look for several species of of birds of prey including bald eagles, osprey, turkey vultures, and black vultures.   Just downstream, you can see Mount Johnson Island, the worlds first bald eagle sanctuary.  You can also get a glimpse of the Conowingo Reservoir, the northernmost and largest hydroelectric impoundments on the lower Susquehanna River. Going a little further upstream along the Overlook Trail, you can view Wisslers Run Overlook.  The overlook features an excellent view of the naturally rocky riverbed of the Susquehanna.  You can also see Holtwood Dam, Muddy Run, and the Norman Wood Bridge.  One can take the Fire trail of the Nature trail back to the parking lot to make this trail a loop.

Susquehannock State Park at Hawks Point Overlook
Birds of Prey at Hawks Point Overlook
Susquehannock State Park at Wisslers Run Overlook
View from Wisslers Run Overlook

Rhododendron Trail (1.2 mi, most difficult hiking, out and back):  Park at the parking lot near the James B Long House and walk past the house to the trailhead.  The Rhododendron Trail is a rocky trail the is at times steep.  The trail features spectacular rhododendrons along the trail.  The Rhododendron Trail  connects to the Five Points Trail, Spring Trail, Holly Trail, Pine Tree Trail, and Fire Trail.  Each can be used to form a loop.

Rhododendron Trail at Susquehannock State Park

Spring Trail (0.4 mi, easiest hiking, out and back): Park at the parking lot near the James B Long House and walk past the house to the trailhead. We took the Rhododendron Trail to the Spring trail to form a loop.  The trail is an easy trail that features pawpaw trees.