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Swatara State Park
Nearby Parks:
State Memorial Lake
Memorial Lake State Park
Haldeman State Forest
Weiser State Forest
Locust Lake State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Swatara State Park
Grantville, Pennsylvania 17028
Phone: 717-865-6470
Toll Free: 888-727-2757
Reservations: 888-727-2757
Email: memorialsp@state.pa.us
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Area Accommodations
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Reservations: |
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Reservations: 
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| State Park Overview: |
| The 3,515-acre Swatara State Park consists of rolling fields and woodlands situated along Interstate 81 between Second and Blue mountains. One of the main focal points is the eight miles of Swatara Creek that winds through the park.
Swatara State Park was acquired with capital development funds appropriated by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. A recreation area is planned for the future and will offer canoeing, fishing, hiking, picnicking, bicycling, swimming, camping and environmental education. |
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| Trails: |
| Appalachian National Scenic Trail:
Stretching from Georgia to Maine, this backpacking trail traverses two miles of the southern portion of Swatara State Park.
Go to National Scenic Trails for more information on the Appalachian Trail.
Hiking/Biking Trails:
The Swatara Multi-use Trail runs about nine miles from the Lickdale Interchange (Exit 90) of I-81 to the Pine Grove Interchange (Exit 100) of I-81. You may make a 10-mile loop by starting at the Waterville Bridge and using the Swatara Multi-use Trail and Old State Road. |
| Boating: |
| Boating: non-powered boats onlySwatara Creek is a popular area for canoeing in the spring. There are several locations of easy access to the creek for put-in and take-out of boats.
Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks, available at most state park offices; launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Approved U.S. Coast Guard personal flotation devices (PFD) must be in your boat or worn at all times while boating on state park waters. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing:
Spring trout season attracts many anglers to Trout Run, the park?s only stocked, cold water trout fishing stream. There are also a few small streams within the park that boast native populations of brook trout.
Warm water fish like smallmouth bass and panfish can be caught in the Swatara Creek. Fishing continues to improve because numerous abandoned mine drainage abatement projects, agricultural best management practices and sewage treatment efforts are improving water quality of the Swatara Creek and its tributaries. Irving?s Pond provides opportunities to catch largemouth bass and panfish.
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| History of the Area: |
| The area in and around Swatara State Park is rich in American history. American Indians originally used the land along the Swatara Creek as a transportation route.
After settlement by Europeans in the 1750s, anthracite coal was discovered in the Tremont area. In the 1820s, as the demand for coal rose, a need for better transportation led to the construction of the Union Canal that connected the Schuylkill and Susquehanna rivers. From Lebanon, a branch canal was constructed to Pine Grove through what is now the Swatara State Park. A dam and 672-acre reservoir in the park area supported canal traffic to Pine Grove and supplied water for the Union Canal at Lebanon.
The dam was washed away in the Flood of 1862, destroying the canal and reservoir. The dam was never rebuilt because the railroad soon went into operation on the opposite bank of the Swatara Creek.
Remains of the abandoned railroad bed, five canal locks and the old dam on Old State Road can be found within the park.
The Commonwealth began acquisition of the park in 1971 and was completed in 1987 by the Department of General Services. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | | Mt. Gretna Inn - This Arts & Crafts Inn is sited in the historic community of Mt. Gretna, PA. Each of the 7 guest rooms are unique and include private baths while some offer fireplaces, whirlpool, or private porches. | |  | Speedwell Forge B&B - Lititz, PA
In a secluded valley, on 120 acres between a lake and a natural park, Speedwell Forge B&B is a hidden gem in Lancaster County. Yet it is only minutes to the historic towns of Lititz, Manheim, and the rest of Pennsylvania Dutch County.
Web Site: http://www.speedwellforge.com |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Pennsylvania State Parks - Swatara - PA DCNR - This is an official Web site of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. Begin your adventure here. - Eight miles of Swatara Creek leisurely wind through this park that once held a man-made lake... | | Aesthetic Values - League of Women Voters--Know Your County. AESTHETIC VALUES. MUSEUMS. The Lebanon County Historical Society is located at 924 Cumberland Street, Lebanon, Membership is open to all Lebanon County... | | Swatara State Park Cleanup - Under the PA Forest Lands Beautification Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has teamed up with nonprofit PA CleanWays to remove illegally dumped... | | Swatara State Park Multi-Use Trail Cleanup - Under the PA Forest Lands Beautification Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has teamed up with nonprofit PA CleanWays to remove illegally dumped... | | Area Campgrounds | | Hillcrest Campsite
6093 Old Route 22
Bernville, PA
(610) 488-1657
| Christmas Pine Camp Ground
450 Red Church Rd
Auburn, PA
(570) 366-8866
| Twin Grove Camping
1445 Suedberg Rd
Pine Grove, PA
(717) 865-4602
| Camp Swatara Family Camping
2901 Camp Swatara Rd
Bethel, PA
(717) 933-5244
| Lickdale General Store
RR 1 Box 1282
Jonestown, PA
(717) 865-6411
| Camp-A-While
1921 E Main St
Hegins, PA
(570) 682-8696
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Koch's Hunting & Fishing Supplies
2101 Market St
Auburn, PA
(570) 366-5083
| Pine Grove Fish & Game
7 Geary Wolfe Rd
Pine Grove, PA
(570) 345-3905
| Blue Mountain Fishing Lakes
63 Blue Mountain Rd
Schuylkill Haven, PA
(570) 754-7934
| Delaches Fishing Assn Inc
5450 Elizabethtown Rd
Palmyra, PA
(717) 964-2085
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