Things To See & Do at Swatara State Park

The Appalachian Trail makes a quick but memorable stop through Swatara State Park. This 2.4-mile stretch, part of the legendary trail running from Maine to Georgia, takes hikers across the historic Waterville Bridge, a striking iron truss that now spans Swatara Creek.

Along the way, you’ll pass under I-81, wander old roads, and stumble upon bits of history like a silver mine and canal lock. The Appalachian Trail also ties right into the park’s trail network, so you can easily hop onto the Swatara Rail Trail or Bear Hole Trail for a longer adventure.

Swatara Creek, one of the region’s main waterways, offers plenty of opportunities for water-based recreation. It’s a popular attraction for kayaking, canoeing and tubing.

The creek features three designated launches for non-powered boats at Swopes Valley Trailhead, the Waterville Bridge Parking Lot and the Lickdale Trailhead. The section of the creek running through Swatara State Park is part of the larger Swatara Creek Water Trail.

The Bear Hole Trail stretches 4.8 miles along the southern side of Swatara Creek, offering a wide, crushed-stone path for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. While mostly flat, the trail features a few rolling sections and passes remnants of the historic Union Canal and its 1827 locks.

Midway along the route, visitors can explore the scenic Bordner Cabin and Aycrigg’s Falls area. With picnic tables, benches and connections to other park trails, Bear Hole is a versatile year-round route that’s also recommended for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.

Fishing is a favorite pastime at Swatara State Park, where both coldwater and warmwater species thrive. Trout Run, the park’s only trout-stocked stream, draws anglers each spring, while native brook trout can be found in Swatara Creek and its cool tributaries.

For bass and panfish, cast a line in Swatara Creek or head to Wagners Pond, a popular spot for largemouth bass. All fishing within the park is subject to PA DCNR and PA Fish and Boat Commission and PA Game Commission rules and regulations.

Hiking is one of the most popular ways to experience Swatara State Park, with over 34 miles of trails to explore. The park’s 13 main trails, along with numerous connector paths, allow visitors to create loops of varying lengths and difficulty.

Most routes are wide and relatively flat, making them accessible for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Along the way, you’ll encounter unique historic sites, scenic valley views, peaceful forests, and cool mountain streams teeming with wildlife. For even more variety, the park also features nearly 10 miles of additional trails in the Mountain Biking Complex.

With 12.8 miles of designated equestrian trails, Swatara State Park is a great spot for horseback riding. Except for Mifflin Trail, horses are permitted on all paths between the Sand Siding Bridge and the I-81/Pine Grove Exit 100. Riders can enjoy wide, mostly flat terrain with scenic views along Swatara Creek, and popular routes like Bear Hole Trail, Swatara Rail Trail, and the 3.9-mile Equestrian Trail can be combined into a loop.

Most areas of Swatara State Park are open to hunting, trapping and dog training during established seasons. Hunters should always remain alert for trail users and observe the 150-yard safety zone around all occupied buildings within the park.

Popular game species include deer, turkey, ruffed grouse, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel and waterfowl, while furbearers such as muskrat, raccoon, opossum and fox may also be found. Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited, and dog training is only permitted from the day after Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.

All hunting and trapping activities in the park are subject to PA DCNR and PA Fish and Boat Commission and PA Game Commission rules and regulations.

Swatara State Park offers nearly 28 miles of trails for mountain biking, highlighted by six wooded loop trails accessible from the State Park Lane trailhead. These narrow, natural-surface singletracks span 9.8 miles, featuring log obstacles, stream crossings and rolling hills.

Riders can also enjoy additional mileage on multi-use paths like the Swatara Rail Trail, Bear Hole Trail, and several shorter connectors throughout the park. Both traditional bikes and e-bikes are permitted on designated biking trails.

Swatara Creek provides endless opportunities for on-the-water fun. From spring kayaking and canoeing to laid-back summer tubing, it’s a favorite spot for paddlers of all skill levels.

The creek features three designated launches for non-powered boats at Swopes Valley Trailhead, the Waterville Bridge Parking Lot and the Lickdale Trailhead. This stretch of water is also part of the 60-mile Swatara Creek Water Trail, connecting the park to a broader network of scenic paddling routes across the region.

All non-powered boats and operators must be compliant with PA Fish and Boat Commission regulations.

Swatara State Park’s mix of woodlands, old fields and waterways creates excellent habitat for wildlife watching. Visitors can spot a wide variety of birds, amphibians, insects, wildflowers, and trees.

Nest boxes provide homes for species like bluebirds, wrens, ducks, and hawks, while the nearby Kittatinny Ridge—one of Pennsylvania Audubon’s Important Bird Areas—brings an added bonus during migration season. Many birds stop at Swatara to rest and refuel, making it a rewarding destination for birders and nature lovers year-round.

Swatara State Park is open year-round, offering plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors even in the colder months. With adequate snow cover, about 10 miles of the Swatara Rail Trail provide excellent terrain for cross-country skiing, while the park’s other trails welcome snowshoers looking to explore the quiet winter landscape.

Visitors are encouraged to check trail difficulty ratings and the DCNR Winter Report for current ice and snow conditions before heading out.

Swatara State Park hosts a variety of programs and special events throughout the year, from educational tours to hands-on nature activities. Check the park’s events calendar for the latest schedule and plan your visit around an activity that interests you.