By Natalie Miller, Intern, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

Did you know that there are 10 state parks located within the Susquehanna Greenway? These Pennsylvania State Parks are free to visit, and each offers a unique environment with a vast range of outdoor activities to explore.

From hiking and biking, to padding, fishing, and camping, a wealth of outdoor adventures awaits you at each of these locations.

Vosburg Neck State Park

As one of the newest state parks in Pennsylvania’s roster, Vosburg Neck State Park joined the league in 2022, with 669 acres of riverside woodland formed by an oxbow curve in the Susquehanna River North Branch.

Known regionally as the ‘Vosburg Neck,’ this state park is located in Wyoming County just five miles west of the Susquehanna Greenway River Town of Tunkhannock.

Vosburg Neck State Park features eight miles of hiking trails, a non-motorized boating access, a picnic area, and historical buildings from the 1700s and 1800s.

This state park is especially beautiful to visit during peak foliage times in the fall, when the warm colors of autumn glow amidst the landscape of trees.

The park is open 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk.

Frances Slocum State Park

Located in Luzerne County, Frances Slocum State Park offers 1,000+ acres of parkland, with the star of the show being a 165-acre lake that offers ample opportunity for fishing and boating.

In addition to on-water activities, the park also boasts numerous hiking and mountain biking trails. The large day-use area is a great place for picnicking and exploring.

While planning your visit, be sure to add the Patrick J. Solano Environmental Education Center to your list. Located in the park, this center is a hub for environmental education and includes exhibits on indigenous people and park ecology.

Frances Slocum State Park is open 365 days a year, from sunset to sunrise; however, the park office, pool, and overnight areas do have specific seasons & hours.

Bucktail State Park Natural Area

While this Greenway landscape is not a traditional state park, Bucktail State Park Natural Area offers around 75 miles of conserved lands from Emporium to the Susquehanna Greenway River Town of Lock Haven.

The valley through which the natural area runs is known as the Bucktail Trail, which was named after the famous American Civil War regiment of Woodsmen.

Here, you will have the pleasure of seeing forest lands, valleys, hills, and mountains—natural features that surround the Susquehanna River’s West Branch and Sinnemahoning Creek.

The Natural Area is best seen from the cockpit of a kayak along the West Branch or from the comfort of your car as you drive PA-120.

While planning this trip, please keep in mind there are many sections within this state park that are privately owned, so care should be taken to contact the state park office if access is needed.

Hyner View State Park / Hyner Run

While this state park is on the smaller side compared to the others along the Susquehanna Greenway, Hyner View State Park holds its own and is one not to miss.

One of the most iconic features of the park is the overlook, where you can get a stunning view of the Susquehanna River Water Trail - West Branch, as well as the tree-lined mountains that rise from the ridge-and-valley landscape.

While at Hyner View State Park, you may be lucky to see the popular hang gliders who also use the overlook to launch on their air-borne adventures. In addition to the overlook, there are various trail systems that connect the state park with the surrounding state forest lands.

When visiting Hyner View State Park, be sure to stop over at the nearby Hyner Run State Park, as well. Between the two locations, there are plenty of options for hiking and camping.

This area is also surrounded by Sproul State Forest, which is Pennsylvania’s largest state forest.

Both Hyner Run and Hyner View State Park are open 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset.

Susquehanna State Park

If you happen to find yourself in the Susquehanna Greenway River Town of Williamsport, do not miss out on Susquehanna State Park.

This park offers 20-acres of riverside serenity, complete with a boat launch, picnic areas, and a landmark paddlewheel riverboat—The Hiawatha.

The Susquehanna River’s West Branch, which runs right by the park, once supported a booming lumber industry during the 19th century.

The land where the park now resides played a key role in that history as Williamsport and the surrounding lands were a hub for manufacturing this lumber.

Today, you can learn more about this history by joining a cruise on The Hiawatha, watching their information video, and taking in the scenery first-hand.

Susquehanna State Park is open 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset.

Milton State Park

Milton State Park is uniquely located on an island in the Susquehanna River’s West Branch. This park is divided into two sections—the northern half, and the southern half.

The northern half of the park is focused on day use facilities, including walking trails, a playground, boat launch, soccer fields, picnic areas, and restrooms which are open seasonally.

The southern half of the park takes on a wilder side and its landscape of trees and vegetation offers a great backdrop for hiking and studying nature.

Want to see both sides of the island? Take a stroll on the South and North Trails, which trace the perimeter of the island offering wonderful river views.

Milton State Park is open 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset.

Shikellamy State Park

Two locations make up Shikellamy State Park: the Marina and the Overlook.

The Shikellamy Marina is best known for its access to Lake Augusta, a section of the Susquehanna River that becomes a seasonal lake with the inflation of the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam in Sunbury, PA.

This 50-acre state park is situated on the southern tip of Packers Island, which sits at the confluence of the West Branch and North Branch of the Susquehanna River.

It features motorized and non-motorized boat launches, paved and ADA-accessible walking trails, a playground, three pavilions, a butterfly garden, and the park office.

Shikellamy Overlook, which overlooks the marina on the mainland, features 190 acres of forested hilltop complete with a small network of hiking trails, pavilions, and several viewpoints where you can take a look at the confluence of the river below—the point at which the Susquehanna River’s West Branch meets the North Branch.

Shikellamy State Park is open 365 days a year, sunrise to dusk/sunset.

Samuel S. Lewis State Park

Located just outside of Wrightsville, PA, Samuel S. Lewis State Park is best known for its astounding 885-foot ridge, Mt. Pisgah, where an overlook provides visitors with a unique look at the Susquehanna River flowing in the valley below.

The park itself is 85-acres, with Mt. Pisgah separating the two valleys within the park, Kreutz Creek Valley & East Prospect Valley.

The diverse landscape of the park changes depending on the area—from mowed grass fields on the northern & eastern park slopes, to a pine plantation in the southern region of the park, and a wooded area in the western section.

This state park is open 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset. The park office has specific hours that vary by season.

Susquehanna Riverlands State Park

Established as a Pennsylvania State Park in 2022, Susquehanna Riverlands State Park is one of the three new additions to the state parks lining the Susquehanna Greenway.

Located in York County, this 1,044-acre park straddles the confluence of Codorus Creek and the Susquehanna River.

A notable feature of this park are the many rock outcropping vistas overlooking the river. One spot worth visiting is Schull’s Rock Overlook, which offers a stunning view of the Susquehanna River.

The state park boasts ~2.5 miles of waterfront views, thanks to its proximity to the river and creek.

Don’t forget to explore the hiking opportunities within the park, including a trail that includes an overlook of the Susquehanna River, as well as about 2.75 miles of the Mason-Dixon Trail, which connects to the Appalachian Trail outside of the park in Cumberland County at Whisky Springs.

Susquehanna Riverlands State Park is open 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset.

Susquehannock State Park

Susquehannock State Park is located in southern Lancaster County, close to the Maryland border. This park is situated on a wooded plateau, which overlooks the Susquehanna River.

There are four properties that comprise the State Park Complex—these include Urey Overlook, Hawk Point Overlook, Pinnacle Overlook, and Wissler's Run Overlook, all of which showcase views of the Susquehanna River.

Susquehannock State Park is also home to a variety of wildlife that can be seen as you hike the trail network or peer from one of its iconic overlooks.

The park is host to 11 hiking and walking trails, a popular one being the Rhododendron Trail. These trails range in difficulty from easy to difficult, making the terrain accessible to all ability levels.

Susquehannock State Park is open 365 days a year, from sunrise to sunset.

Start Exploring!

The Pennsylvania State Park network is a treasure trove of outdoor adventures, and these 10 parks within the Susquehanna Greenway are not to be missed.

Whether looking for active activities like hiking, biking, and paddling, or you just want to relax and view some amazing Susquehanna River scenery, these state parks have it all.

They are a fantastic close-to-home resource and less than a half-day’s drive away.

So, grab a friend, family member, or another adventurer and ‘Get out on the Greenway’ exploring these state parks.

The Pennsylvania State Parks network is managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Susquehanna Greenway is a corridor of connected trails, parks, river access points, and communities, linking people to the natural and cultural treasures of the Susquehanna River within Pennsylvania.

The mission of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is to continue to grow the Greenway by building connections along the Susquehanna River, inspiring people to engage with the outdoors, and transforming communities into places where people want to live, work, and explore.

[Posted: October 25, 2023]

10/30/2023