Swatara State Park
Swatara State Park
4.5
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4.5
18 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
7
Average
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0
Terrible
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Michelle C
Chesterfield, VA1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Couples
Enjoyed our hike along the Swatara Rail Trail to Bordner’s Cabin. Nice bridges, shaded river beds, and a well kept cabin. Even a clean porter john for when nature calls. I like how TripAdvisor describes this park as “#1 of 1 things to do in Green Point,” ha! There’s actually a nice looking campground down the street with activities for the kids. We didn’t stay there but saw mini golf and a small Ferris wheel from the road. Also a super cute farm and locally raised fruit stand down the road.
Written 21 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaleoGypsy
Philadelphia, PA2,140 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
Swatara State Park consists of multiple trailheads. Some of the parking lots are tighter than others. Some are paved. Others are unpaved. The trails, paved and unpaved, go on for miles. Be aware of ticks. Don’t count on the availability of a public bathroom. There is ample shade.
Written 11 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
winindc
Mid-atlantic164 contributions
Oct 2019
We accessed the trails from Sand Siding Road (which has a very steep descent from Rt 443). Nice gravel lot (maybe 16+ cars?) to trails on both sides of the river. There was a kiosk with trail maps, which was appreciated. No other services. Wide trails, near I-81, but didn't really notice noise too much.
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean T
Reading, PA24 contributions
Sept 2019
I've been to this park many times and always wonder why there are no lookouts or places to stop to really see the mountains and gap. There's so much to see at the lakes, etc.
Written 15 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DIG
Lebanon, PA119 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
My wife and I did spent an afternoon walking with her parents, partly on the Swatara Rail Trail and partly on Bear Hole Trail. My father-in-law and I really enjoyed looking at the old Union Canal locks and thinking back to what it must have been like when they were in use for transporting coal.
A very pleasant place to walk, but reasonably smooth if you stay on the trail.Can work for older people or young children if you take it at your own pace and you can turn around to go back to the parking lot whenever you choose.
There can be quite a number of people there sometimes on a nice Sunday afternoon.
A very pleasant place to walk, but reasonably smooth if you stay on the trail.Can work for older people or young children if you take it at your own pace and you can turn around to go back to the parking lot whenever you choose.
There can be quite a number of people there sometimes on a nice Sunday afternoon.
Written 4 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HHM
Burnham, PA97 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
A great combination of both easy scenic double track with easy hills along the creek and a swooping fun single track section with fun tight well designed loops -all in one park! Bridges, historical ruins, fossil pit, water falls. My husband runs & I bike. We drive over an hour each way just to run/ride several times a year - finish with a visit to Troeg's on the way home! Always a fun day :)
Written 12 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborahdear
Schuylkill Haven81 contributions
Jun 2017
Easy, shaded walking trails along picturesque Swatara Creek with interesting side paths to explore. Pleasant views and even a historic old canal site. Large parking area.
Written 6 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad S
9 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Hiked the multi-use trail today. Nothing strenuous, just casual hiking. Enjoyed seeing remnants of the union canal locks built in the 1820's , and the Waterville bridge spanning the swatara creek. The Waterville bridge was originally across Little Pine Creek in Lycoming county. Built in 1890 it became obsolete in the 1980's. It was decided that instead of demolishing it, to placed it here for appalachian trail hikers to cross the creek. Part of the bike/hiking trail is a repurposed road. There are many mountain bike and horseriding trails in the park also as well as kayaking launch ramps. This is a quality multi-use park and is innovative in reusing roads and bridges for recreational activities.
Written 25 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FlyingBean69
Schuylkill Haven, PA28 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Beautiful!! Bike trails are awesome. From paved to mountain bike trails. Loads of hiking and kayaking, also horseback riding trails. Nature at its finest.
Written 8 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mosslady53🌴
Myerstown, PA1,314 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
The local folks will know this Trail as Old State Road. Several years ago, it was repaired and renamed Bear Hole Trail as Swatara State Park was developed. This Trail is open to vehicles the 2nd Friday and Saturday of each month. It is also open the 4th Friday and Saturday in March, April, September and October. It is a one way drive and you enter at the Swope's Valley Road Trailhead and exit at Lickdale. Cars can easily manage the road, although you will share it with hikers and horseback riders. Today was a lovely day for the drive and the leaves were spectacular! Along the route is the fossil pit, the Bordner Cabin, and if you look close, some Union Canal locks. We try to drive through at least once a year in the Fall.
Written 24 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingSWATARA STATE PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Swatara State Park
- Hotels near Swatara State Park:
- (14.06 km) The Marshall House Bed & Breakfast
- (14.45 km) Annville Inn
- (3.59 km) Holiday Inn Express Jonestown - Ft. Indiantown Gap, an IHG Hotel
- (10.33 km) Hampton Inn Pine Grove
- (15.55 km) Hampton Inn Harrisburg/Grantville/Hershey
- Restaurants near Swatara State Park:
- (4.76 km) Moose's LZ
- (9.27 km) Harper's Tavern
- (3.90 km) Pizza Town II
- (15.52 km) Fabios
- (3.60 km) Wendy's