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Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania State Parks

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USA Parks
Pennsylvania
South-Central Region
Little Buffalo State Park
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Little Buffalo State Park Schoffs Mill © Marcia Riegle
Little Buffalo State Park © Jan Goltz
Little Buffalo State Park © Jan Goltz
Little Buffalo State Park © Jan Goltz
Little Buffalo State Park © Jan Goltz
Little Buffalo State Park Summer Storm © Charlotte McDonald
A thunder storm moves out past the lake at Little Buffalo.
Little Buffalo State Park Long view of the lake © Marcia Riegle
Little Buffalo State Park The Pool at Little Buffalo © Charlotte McDonald
This photo was taken by my friend Sharon DeVore. It shows the two great water slides, and the mushroom waterfalls. A great place to spend a hot summer day
Little Buffalo State Park Clays Bridge © Marcia Riegle
Little Buffalo State Park © William Supko
Little Buffalo State Park © William Supko
Little Buffalo State Park © William Supko
Little Buffalo State Park © William Supko
Little Buffalo State Park The Bucket Dump © Charlotte McDonald
A thunderstorm was approaching we all got out of the pool. Here you can see the bucket dump. The buckets fill with water and spill at random.
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LITTLE BUFFALO STATE PARK
LITTLE BUFFALO STATE PARK
1579 State Park Road
Newport, Pennsylvania   17074

Phone: 717-567-9255
Toll Free: 888-727-2757
Reservations: 888-727-2757
Email: park email button icon
Little Buffalo State Park is a place where people have met for centuries. Besides having extensive picnic areas, hiking trails and a lake for fishing and boating, the park is steeped in history. Historical features include a covered bridge, a restored, operating grist mill, an old farm house built on the site of a colonial tavern, and a narrow guage railroad trace which feature one of the original railroad cars.
Nearby Accommodations
businesss listing main photo
BBs / Inns
Enjoy casual and comfortable, country elegance and delicious breakfasts in this 200 year old brick farmhouse situated on 10 acres. We are located near the Appalachian Trail and numerous outdoor activities which include world-class fly fishing. We are less than 5 miles away from the The US Army Heritage and Education Center and many Carlisle collector car events throughout the year.
17.4 miles from park*
Swimming
A new, state-of-the-art swimming pool is open. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Fee charged for pool use.
Boating
Electric powered and non-powered boats are permitted. 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.

There are two public boat launches on the north side of Holman Lake. Mooring sites for private boats are available for a fee from April 1 to Nov. 1.

A boat rental is located next to the swimming pool and operates the weekend of Memorial Day through Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, unless otherwise posted. Canoes, rowboats and pedal boats are available.


Location
Little Buffalo State Park is located near Camp Hill, Carlisle and Enola

Picnicking
Many picnic tables offer nice views of the lake and most are shaded by beautiful oak, maple and ash trees. Charcoal grills are scattered throughout the picnic areas. All picnic areas are open from 8 a.m. to sunset.

There are two picnic areas in Little Buffalo State Park. The Main Picnic Area is a large, shaded lawn surrounding the swimming pools. There are showers, first-aid station, play field, seasonal food concession, playground equipment, boat rental, two picnic pavilions, horseshoe pits, restrooms and many picnic tables. The Main Picnic Area is closed November through April. The East Picnic Area, located by the Little Buffalo Historic District and open year-round, features picnic tables, restrooms, horseshoe pits, environmental interpretive center, picnic pavilion and the Moore Performing Arts Pavilion.

The two picnic pavilions in the west side of the Main Picnic Area seat 80 people, and the picnic pavilion in the East Picnic Area seats 50 people. The picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee by calling 888-PA-PARKS. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first come first served basis.
Nature Programs
Little Buffalo State Park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and campfire programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.

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.

Programs are offered year-round. Many programs feature Shoaff's Mill. Over 12,000 people visit the mill annually. For more detailed information on programs contact the park office.
Area Attractions
PCCA Festival at Little Buffalo: Held the third weekend of September in the East Picnic Area, this arts and crafts festival features juried craft people and live performers. Over sixty crafters present their wares and demonstrate their skills. Visitors will find anything from basket weaving, to photography demonstrations, to sheepshearing. Entertainers include singers, storytellers, bands, clowns and magicians. The two-day event is organized by the Perry County Council of the Arts and usually attracts several thousand people. An admission fee is charged.

Old Fashion Cider Squeeze: Held the third weekend of October in time for fall foliage, this festival will take your taste buds back to the mid-19th century. You can see and taste apple butter cooked in a large copper kettle in front of Shoaff's Mill. Apples are ground and squeezed in a century-old water powered press. Shoaff's Mill grinds cornmeal, cracked corn and apples. Taste samples of apple cider, apple butter and cornmeal recipes as long as supplies last.

Halloween Night: Held in the East Picnic Area on the Saturday before Halloween, this program features storytelling, pumpkin carving, refreshments and haunted hayrides. Activities start at 6 p.m.

Christmas Walk: This family oriented activity has become a popular holiday event in the county. Thousands of lights and holiday cutouts dot the East Picnic Area and provide the perfect holiday atmosphere. Santa always makes an appearance. Local 4-H Clubs sell cookies and hot chocolate. Local choirs sing carols many of the nights. The program runs December 17th through December 23rd from 6 to 9 p.m.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
July 15 Excellent Park and Pool by Mem
park review stars; one to five The pool and park were beautiful and all of the kids had a great time. You can picnic, walk, swim all day and it was very clean. The pool did a safety check in the afternoon, nice to know they care about the public.
August 21 Family tradition by sew
park review stars; one to five I started taking my children to Little Buffalo at least once a season when they were toddlers. Now, we gather to take my grandson there. We have pictures of three generations hiking. I have even made the 45minute drive by myself to just relax and watch nature. It is one of my favorite places in the world.
July 3 Fun for the whole family by Heather
park review stars; one to five I enjoy visiting the park because it contains alot of fun times and memories for me as a kid, and now that I have kids of my own I look forward to keeping this trudition alive. My family and I ALWAYS try to meet at Little Buffalo State Park for our family reunions. Is a very specail time for all of us. Life drives us more and more apart each day with working and trying our best to keep up with our own lives. so it is always a blessings to just have that one special day a year that we can all meet up, catch up and as always have a great time.
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Area Campgrounds
Buttonwood Campground
PO Box 223
Mexico, PA
717-436-8334
Ferryboat Campsites Inc
32 Ferry Lane
Liverpool, PA
717-444-3200
Paradise Stream Family Campground
PO Box 124
Loysville, PA
717-789-2117
Area Fishing Related Businesses
Byron's Bait & Tackle
19 Benvenue Rd
Duncannon, PA
(717) 834-6263
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
From PA Route 322, take the Newport Exit and follow PA Route 34 South through the town of Newport. One mile from town turn right onto Little Buffalo State Park Road to the park. From PA Route 322 to the park entrance is 4.6 miles.

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Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania State Parks

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