Between Philly And Pittsburgh Is A Scenic Lake State Park With Fishing, Camping, And Wetland Wildlife

With 125 state parks and more than 2,300 lakes, Pennsylvania is a great state for exploring the outdoors. You can enjoy both wooded parkland and fun on the water in the south-central Pennsylvania borough of Lewisberry, a small town that's home to Gifford Pinchot State Park. Named for the former Pennsylvania governor and forester who served as Theodore Roosevelt's chief advisor on conservation, Gifford Pinchot State Park covers 2,338 acres of reclaimed farmland anchored by 340-acre Pinchot Lake.

Gifford Pinchot State Park opened in 1961, one of the first state parks specifically created as recreation space for residents of nearby urban areas. Today, it's a year-round destination that offers a variety of outdoor activities. Its 18 miles of interconnected hiking paths include a portion of the Mason-Dixon Trail that also runs through Maryland and Delaware. The longest trail within the park is the scenic 8.5-mile-long Lakeside Trail, which circles the lake and lets visitors take in views of the water from Boulder Point. The Conewago day-use area along Pinchot Lake's eastern shore has picnic pavilions and a beginner-friendly disc golf course, while the Quaker Race area on the western side has a volleyball court and pro-level disc golf, along with a beach for swimming in the summer. When Pinchot Lake freezes in the winter, it's used for ice fishing and ice skating, while the surrounding trails are repurposed for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Another highlight is the campground, which is among the biggest camping areas in any Pennsylvania state park. Between the campsites, cabins, cottages, and yurts, there are over 300 spaces available for guests to stay overnight during the summer. That's a great option to have since many visitors can easily fill a weekend exploring everything the park has to offer.

Similar to the nearby Codorus State Park outside the scenic borough of Hanover, Gifford Pinchot State Park's lake is a primary draw. For boaters, there are 24-hour launch areas on both shores. Along with watercraft like kayaks and sailboats, visitors can use electric motorboats as long as they stay at no-wake speed. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, you can also rent a canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or rowboat.

Anglers visiting the park can cast their line from a boat or along the shore, and there are fishing piers in both day use areas and near the cabins. Lake Pinchot is a warm-water fishery that's home to a variety of species, including perch, panfish, walleye, catfish, and a sizeable population of largemouth, smallmouth, and striped bass that can reach up to 12 pounds. Bass over the 15-inch minimum set by the Big Bass Program can be harvested from late June through early April. Beaver Creek, which feeds the lake, is also stocked with trout.

Fish aren't the only animals you can spot around Lake Pinchot, either. Bald eagles are a common sight in the spring. The wetlands around the lake are also prime habitat for waterfowl like mergansers and loons, as well as turtles, toads, and snakes. Deer and coyotes are frequently spotted here, too, and the park is also home to bobcats, muskrats, and mink, though these can be more elusive. Keep an eye out for butterflies around the lake during the summer. The park is home to several species, including the American snout, the spicebush swallowtail, and the giant swallowtail, the largest species native to the United States.

Gifford Pinchot State Park is centrally located 17 miles south of Harrisburg or 20 miles northwest of the vibrant and affordable city of York. It's also about 45 miles west of Lancaster, a peaceful city known for its charm, making it a good stop for visitors exploring Pennsylvania's Amish Country. In the broader context of the state, it's about 200 miles east of Pittsburgh or roughly 115 miles west of Philadelphia. Those coming from further afield can fly into Harrisburg International, which offers nonstop commercial flights from many cities.

If you're planning a multi-day trip, the 10 modern cabins along Lake Pinchot's western shore offer the most comforts, with an in-cabin bathroom and kitchen area as well as heating and air conditioning. There are also two yurts and three camping cottages on the lake's southeast shore. These have outlets and electric heat, with shared restrooms nearby. Tent or RV campers have their pick of 289 spots, which includes 22 full-hookup sites. The campground is open from April through October, but the cabins can be reserved year-round. As of writing, the campground is planning construction through 2029, which may impact which sites are available. Check the website for any closures or updates before planning your trip.

Since there are things to do in the park all year, the best time to visit depends on your interests. If you want to swim or rent a boat, visit between late May and mid-September. Spring is the ideal time to see wildflowers, and the park is particularly colorful in May when the eastern redbud trees are in bloom. Birders can see migrating songbirds in the spring and fall, bluebirds in the summer, and resident woodpeckers in the winter.