GIFFORD PINCHOT STATE PARK
GIFFORD PINCHOT STATE PARK2200 Rosstown Rd. Lewisberry, Pennsylvania 17339
Phone: 717-432-5011 Toll Free: 888-727-2757 Reservations: 888-727-2757 Email: 
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Gifford Pinchot State Park, a 2,338-acre full service park, is in northern York County along PA 177 between the towns of Rossville and Lewisberry. The park consists of reverting farm fields and wooded hillsides with the 340-acre Pinchot Lake serving as a prime attraction.
Camping
Camping: modern sites, some with electricity
With 339 campsites at the southern end of the lake, this park provides one of the largest state park campgrounds in the Commonwealth. The campground opens on the second Friday in April and closes by the end of October. All of the sites have macadam pads and can accommodate virtually any piece of camping equipment from a large motor home to the smallest tent. The campground has an accessible swimming beach, outdoor amphitheater, some accessible campsites, hiking trails, boat launching and mooring area, sanitary dumping stations, staffed campground office, and modern bathhouses with flush toilets and showers. Pets are not permitted in overnight areas.
Organized Group Tenting:
The 50 sites, which can hold up to 250 people, are in the campground. This modern area is for scout, church or other organized groups that wish to camp together. Advance reservations are required.
Cottages
Camping Cottages:
Three cottages sleep five people in single bunks and double/single bunks, and have wooden floors, windows, electric heat, porch, picnic table, fire ring, electric lights and outlets. Nearby Bathhouse Seven provides toilets, showers, drinking water and a dishwashing station.
Yurts:
These Mongolian-style tents are round, on a wooden deck and sleep six people in single bunks and double/single bunks. Yurts have a cooking stove, refrigerator, countertop, table, chairs, electric lights, electric heat, outlets, fire ring, and picnic table. Nearby Bathhouse #7 provides toilets, showers, drinking water and a dishwashing station.
Swimming
Horseback Riding:
In the northeast section of the park is an area set aside for horseback riding. This area includes several miles of wide, mowed, interconnecting trails that wind through reverting farm fields, pine plantations and deciduous woodlands. There is a large, gravel parking area off of Alpine Road, a short distance south of the intersection with PA 177. There are no horse rentals.
Boating
Boating: electric motors only
The 340-acre Pinchot Lake has three launch areas available 24 hours a day. There are 286 shoreline mooring and canoe rack spaces that may be rented from April 1st to November 1st. Mooring areas include a number of larger spaces designed to accommodate the increasingly popular day sailors and catamarans, while rack spaces accommodate sailboards and smaller sailboats. There are several types of boats and electric trolling motors for rent at the boat rental from late spring through early autumn each year.
Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
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Picnicking
The accessible Quaker Race Day Use Area is on the west side of the lake and the Conewago Day Use Area is on the east side of the lake. Picnic tables, charcoal grills, convenient parking lots, drinking water, modern restrooms and horseshoe pits are throughout the areas. The Quaker Race area has a volleyball court. The Conewago area has a softball field. Four 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.
Trails
Bicycling:
The trails between the campground and the Conewago Day Use Area are for joint-use by hikers, cross-country skiers and bicycles. The Multipurpose Trail network consists of a 3.5-mile outer loop with a number of internal connectors. The trail surface is packed gravel and the terrain is mostly flat with a few gentle hills. The trail is suitable for family use and most bicycles. Please be considerate of other trail users; ride to the right and signal when passing. The trail winds through woodlands and along the lakeshore and is designed for a slow, leisurely ride. Fast and reckless riding is prohibited. Trail access for the general public is from the Conewago Day Use Area. Campers can access the trails directly from the campground.
Cross-country Skiing:
When adequate snow cover is available, many of the hiking trails provide an excellent opportunity for cross-country skiing. The best trails are accessed from the Conewago Day Use Area or the special parking area at the campground entrance. These trails are marked for bicycling and include portions of Lakeside, Alpine, Oak and Gravel trails. Other good trails are the network of spur roads and trails in the interior of the park campground, which are closed to camping and vehicle use during the winter season.
Nature Programs
The park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources. Pontoon boat tours of the lake are offered spring through fall. Programs are offered early spring through late fall. For more detailed information contact the park office.
A park-operated nature center in the Conewago Day Use Area is open during the summer. Wayside exhibits and informative brochures help visitors learn more about the park's natural environment.
Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the park office.
Things To Do in the Area
Buffalo Springs Horse Farm - Spring Grove, PAHorseback Riding
The Trail Rides at our farm are lots of fun for everyone.
We make sure you are on the right horse for a very enjoyable ride. If you are an experienced rider or if you have never even touched a horse before, you will LOVE our horses
Web Site: buffalospringshorsefarm.com/
18.1 miles from park*
Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
July 10 NO Geese by PA Mom
This is a great park. Kids loved swimming in the lake. The best part was no geese. There was a small 1 foot gate around the part of the lake that they were swimmning in and apparently it works to keep the geese out. Just wish we had more time, but we will be back.
| Area Campgrounds |
| Walmar Manor Campground
125 Walmar Manor
Dillsburg, PA
717-432-4523
| Conewago Isle Campground
6220 Big Mount Road
Dover, PA
717-292-1461
| Outdoor World - Gettysburg Farm
6200 Big Mount Road
Dover, PA
717-292-7191
| Elizabethtown/Hershey KOA
1980 Turnpike Road
Elizabethtown, PA
| Deer Run Campground
111 Sheet Iron Roof Road
Gardners, PA
| Indian Rock Campground
436 Indian Rock Dam Road
York, PA
717-741-1764
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| Area Fishing Related Businesses |
| Hawghead Baits
2215 Rosstown Rd
Wellsville, PA
(717) 432-4505
| Fishing Creek Community Assn
520 Locust Rd
New Cumberland, PA
(717) 938-3416
| Tom's Fly-Fishing Service
75 Pleasantview Ter
New Cumberland, PA
Unverified listing
| Fishing Creek Elementary Schl
510 Fishing Creek Rd
Lewisberry, PA
(717) 938-6565
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| Area Cabins and Lodges |
| Ski Roundtop: Ofc
925 Roundtop Rd
Lewisberry, PA
(717) 432-9631
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Area Accommodations (over 15 miles away)
Pheasant Field Bed Breakfast - Carlisle, PABBs / Inns
Enjoy casual, country elegance in this 200 year old brick farmhouse situated on 10 acres. We are located near the Appalachian Trail, world-class fly fishing and Carlisle collector car events.
Web Site: pheasantfield.com
15.3 miles from park*
Baladerry Inn - Gettysburg, PABBs / Inns
An ideal choice for your visit to historic Gettysburg and the surrounding area. One of the most historic inns in Gettysburg, with its unique country setting at the edge of the battlefield and close proximity to the restaurants and attractions in town.
Web Site: baladerryinn.com
25.7 miles from park*
Beechmont Inn Bed Breakfast - Hanover, PABBs / Inns
Located on a tree-lined street of stately historic homes, The Beechmont has welcomed business and leisure travelers since 1986 with exceptional hospitality and thoughtful extras designed to exceed travelers needs and desires.
Web Site: thebeechmont.com
19.1 miles from park*
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Directions
The park is near the metropolitan areas of York and Harrisburg. It is reached from Harrisburg via the Lewisberry Exit (35) of I-83 south then PA 177 south; or by US 15 south to Dillsburg, then to PA 74 south. From York, take PA 74 north or I-83 north. From I-83, take the Newberrytown Exit (32), PA 382 west to PA 177 south.