Gifford Pinchot State Park

Gifford Pinchot State Park is a 2,300-acre protected area in Pennsylvania with a large lake, forests, and restored fields. The central lake covers approximately 140 acres and is surrounded by wooded hillsides and areas where farmland is naturally returning to forest.

The park was established in 1961, converting former farmland into a public recreation area. This transformation reflected a broader effort to preserve natural spaces across the region during that period.

The learning center offers programs that help visitors understand the forest habitats and natural resources around them. These educational activities connect people with the environment they encounter while visiting.

The park offers camping sites, boat launches, swimming areas, and hiking trails for visitors of all abilities. It is conveniently located between York and Harrisburg, making it accessible from both metropolitan areas.

The park features two 18-hole disc golf courses that wind through the landscape among the boulder formations near the lake. These courses offer an unexpected recreational activity set within the natural surroundings.

Location: Warrington Township

Inception: 1961

Operator: Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks

Website: http://dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/giffordpinchot.aspx

GPS coordinates: 40.07170,-76.88830

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:57