Susquehannock State Park
1880 Park Dr.
Drumore, PA 17518
717-432-5011

The 224-acre Susquehannock State Park is on a wooded plateau overlooking the Susquehanna River in southern Lancaster County. Besides the awesome view, the park offers a variety of recreational opportunities for year-round fun.

From PA 372 west of Buck, Pa., turn south on Susquehannock Drive to Park Drive.

Scenic Views
Among the park's primary attractions are the river overlooks, which afford panoramic views of the lower reaches of the Susquehanna River. Hawk Point, the park’s main overlook, provides a spectacular view of the upper reaches of the Conowingo Reservoir, the first and largest of several hydroelectric impoundments on the lower Susquehanna. The actual dam is in northern Maryland but the reservoir straddles both Pennsylvania and Maryland providing hydroelectric power generation and cooling water for the Peach Bottom nuclear reactors, as well as, countless hours of recreational boating and fishing for area visitors.

Many islands are in view from Hawk Point including Mt. Johnson Island, the world's first bald eagle sanctuary. This island is to the left of the overlook and featured a pair of nesting bald eagles for many years. More recently, eagles have been nesting on the island just upstream from the overlook. Use the available optical viewer or your own binoculars and see if you can spot an eagle, osprey or the more common turkey and black vultures that regularly patrol the airways by this overlook.

Just to the right and down the hill from Hawk Point Overlook is Wissler's Run Overlook. This overlook gives an excellent view of the original rocky nature of the Susquehanna's natural riverbed and the Muddy Run pump storage hydroelectric plant with the well-known Norman Wood Bridge in the background. Look for osprey nesting on the large power line towers in front of this overlook.

The 380-foot high cliffs that overlook the river make these views possible. Visitors should stay well back from these drop-off areas and children should be closely supervised to prevent accidental injury or death.

Horseback Riding: The many trails throughout the park offer a beautiful setting for horseback riding in the river hills. Horseback riding is prohibited at the overlooks and on Rhododendron Trail. To accommodate riding clubs and horse-drawn wagons, a shaded hitching rail for horses is in the lower parking lot.

Organized Group Tenting: Qualified adult and youth groups may reserve space in the organized group tenting area for overnight use. The organized group campsites can accommodate any size group up to a maximum of 300 people. Call toll-free, 888-PA-PARKS for reservations.

Explore organized group tenting for more information.

Picnicking: Shaded picnic spots are available throughout much of this aesthetically pleasing park. There are more than 100 tables including some with paved paths and pads. A number of picnic sites have grills and all have parking, water and restrooms nearby. For groups or special occasions there are two large picnic pavilions with large cooking grills, water, electric outlets and lighting. The accessible picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Call toll-free, 888-PA-PARKS for reservations. There are also two softball fields with backstops and benches as well as play areas and trailheads nearby.

Hiking: 5 miles of trails
The scenic hiking trails offer a wide variety of interesting habitats and evidence of people’s past use of the area. A Field Guide to the Natural History of Susquehannock State Park is available at the park office to assist you in discovering the natural resources of the park.

Native holly, rhododendron, spring and summer wildflowers and a variety of other plant life await your discovery. Walk or sit quietly along a trail to observe deer, songbirds, lizards or many other forms of wildlife. From the overlooks, watch for vultures, hawks, osprey and, if you are lucky, you may spot a bald eagle. Old homestead sites are also evident along a number of the trails.

The most popular trail is the Overlook Trail as this leads to the two scenic vistas that overlook the Susquehanna River. This 0.55-mile trail leads to both Hawk Point and Wissler’s Run overlooks and offers the visitor panoramic views for the lower and upper reaches of the river.

At 1.2-mile, Rhododendron Trail is the longest and most difficult of the park’s trails traversing some steep and rocky terrain but well worth the extra effort. The trail’s namesake blooms in late June and early July. The remains of the homestead of Thomas Neel, a revolutionary war veteran, is along this trail.

The Pine Tree Trail is short but also steep and rocky as it winds its way down to Wissler’s Run.

The 0.7-mile Five Points Trail is moderately difficult and features rhododendron and views of creek valleys.

The remainder of the trails are either moderate or easy walking.

Holly Trail is 0.5-mile of easy walking and features native holly trees and Christmas ferns.

Fire Trail is a short logging road with a nice stand of poplar trees.

Pawpaw trees can be found along the 0.4-mile, easy walking Spring Trail.

Nature Trail features a nice group of mature hardwood trees and is an easy 0.3-mile walk.

Walk along the short Phites Eddy Trail and imagine what this area was like over a hundred years ago when loggers, ate, drank, and slept at the Phites Eddy Inn along the river.

The 0.6-mile Landis Trail was named for Lester Landis, the one time owner of the historical Landis House across from the park office. This trail features a fine stand of Virginia bluebells that bloom in late April and early May.

Pipeline Trail is an easy 0.24-mile walk on the old, abandoned gas pipeline right-of-way that crosses the park.