The Pennsylvania city of Harrisburg is located along the eastern edge of the Susquehanna River in the lower half of the state, 107 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
There are many reasons “Pennsylvania’s Capital City” is an intriguing place reside in or to visit. The downtown Riverfront Park attracts runners, bikers, and kayakers and hosts many events and annual festivals.
The stunning State Capital is the centerpiece of Harrisburg and is an excellent place to tour and explore for its history and architecture. Diverse historic buildings and neighborhoods add to the ambiance of this riverside city.
The great outdoors is never far away in Harrisburg. The Appalachian Trail cuts through the southwestern part of the state. The PA Grand Canyon is situated in the north, and nearby are many outdoor spaces, state parks, and national forests to explore and take in the region’s beauty.
Getting out and about in nature is an excellent activity no matter where you are, and the state parks near Harrisburg are wonderful for this—Pennsylvania State Parks are free—there’s no reason not to visit. We’re taking a tour of state parks nearby and invite you to join us as we explore what makes each one unique.
Map of State Parks Near Harrisburg PA
Here is a map of the Pennsylvania state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Harrisburg
Here are each of those state parks with distance from Harrisburg and what is special about each.
1. Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area
Distance from Harrisburg: about 10 miles southwest of Harrisburg (straight-line).
Location: 802 Boiling Springs Road, Monroe Township, Pennsylvania 17055
Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area is a 1,025-acre (415 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Lower Paxton and Middle Paxton Townships in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Highlights associated with Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area include river access, old-growth forest, and wooded landscapes.
See our full Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area
Distance from Harrisburg: about 11 miles north of Harrisburg (straight-line).
Location: Clarks Valley Road, Middle Paxton Township, Pennsylvania
Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area is a natural area in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Established 2000.
Highlights associated with Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area include river access, mountain scenery, and old-growth forest.
See our full Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Gifford Pinchot State Park
Distance from Harrisburg: about 13 miles south of Harrisburg (straight-line).
Location: 2200 Rosstown Rd, Lewisberry, PA 17339
Gifford Pinchot State Park is a 2,338-acre (946 ha) Pennsylvania state park in northern York County, Pennsylvania, in the United States.
Highlights associated with Gifford Pinchot State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Gifford Pinchot State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Memorial Lake State Park
Distance from Harrisburg: about 19 miles northeast of Harrisburg (straight-line).
Location: 18 Boundary Rd
Grantville, PA 17028
Memorial Lake State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on 230 acres (93 ha) in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania in the United States.
Highlights associated with Memorial Lake State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Memorial Lake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Little Buffalo State Park
Distance from Harrisburg: about 20 miles northwest of Harrisburg (straight-line).
Location: 1579 State Park Rd
Newport, PA 17074
Little Buffalo State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on 923 acres (3.7 km2) in Centre and Juniata Townships, Perry County, Pennsylvania in the United States.
Highlights associated with Little Buffalo State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Little Buffalo State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Swatara State Park
Distance from Harrisburg: about 23 miles northeast of Harrisburg (straight-line).
Location: 1450 Suedberg Rd, Pine Grove, PA 17963
Half an hour east of Harrisburg, Swatara State Park is situated in a narrow valley between two mountains. Woodlands and rocky terrain are a predominant feature of the landscape here as is the Swatara Creek that winds through the park.
The Appalachian Trail cuts through the southern end of the park and crosses the creek over the Waterville Bridge which was built in 1890. The bridge is an excellent example of a lenticular truss bridge and when it was deemed too narrow for modern use the parabola bridge was moved to be used as part of the A.T.
The park is popular for hiking, biking, wildlife observation and the creek is a big draw for fishing and paddling. Swatara State Park is a day-use only park, there are camping options nearby.
Interesting fact: There is a fossil digging site listed on the state park map—a wonderful opportunity to look for clues about the region’s ancient history.
See our full Swatara State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Pine Grove State Park
Distance from Harrisburg: about 25 miles northwest of Harrisburg (straight-line).
Location: Peach Ridge Road, Saville Township, Pennsylvania 17020
Pine Grove State Park is a public state park in Pennsylvania near Pine Grove. The park offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Highlights associated with Pine Grove State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Pine Grove State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Samuel S. Lewis State Park
Distance from Harrisburg: about 26 miles southeast of Harrisburg (straight-line).
Location: 6000 Mt Pisgah Rd, York, PA 17406
Samuel S. Lewis State Park covers 85 acres in York County, Pennsylvania. Established 1954.
Highlights associated with Samuel S. Lewis State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include playgrounds.
See our full Samuel S. Lewis State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
9. Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Distance from Harrisburg: about 27 miles southwest of Harrisburg (straight-line).
Location: 1100 Pine Grove Rd
Gardners, PA 17324
Pine Grove Furnace State Park is a protected Pennsylvania area that includes Laurel and Fuller Lakes in Cooke Township of Cumberland County.
Highlights associated with Pine Grove Furnace State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Pine Grove Furnace State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
10. Fowlers Hollow State Park
Distance from Harrisburg: about 37 miles west of Harrisburg (straight-line).
Location: 5700 Fowler Hollow Road, Blain, PA 17006
Fowlers Hollow State Park is located in a small valley near Tuscarora State Forest and is a favorite spot for hiking, fishing, and hunting and a trailhead for the forest. The park is just over an hour west of our featured city of Harrisburg.
The Fowlers Hollow campground makes an excellent basecamp for adventures into the surrounding state forest. Towering trees amid rocky terrain provide shaded areas for trekking and mountain biking. Fowlers Hollow Run (creek) runs through the area and is a fishery for brown trout, and the park is open year-round for winter enjoyment.
Interesting fact: Fowlers Hollow was clear-cut in the late 1800s using portable sawmills. Pennsylvania bought the land in 1907, and the woodlands that you see today are a second growth forest.
See our full Fowlers Hollow State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
