 Susquehanna State Park |
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Susquehanna State Park |
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Located along the Susquehanna River valley with its heavy forest cover and massive rock outcroppings, Susquehanna State Park offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities as well as historical significance. The park is home to some of the most popular mountain biking trails in Maryland and the river itself beacons fishermen and boaters alike. Susquehanna State Park also contains a very family friendly campground with traditional campsites and cabins. History buffs will be drawn to the restored Rock Run Historical Area with its working grist mill, the Archer Mansion, Jersey Toll House and the remains of the Susquehanna Tidewater Canal.The river offers excellent fishing opportunities, including pike, perch, and bass for shoreline anglers or boating anglers who launch from the Lapidum Boat Ramp.
Features
The facility offers a boat launch, campsites, cross-country skiing, fishing, flat water canoeing, hiking trails, historic interest, pet trail, picnicking, pavilions, playground, riding trails, bow hunting area and archery range.
- Fishing--Susquehanna State Park has direct access to the river where, depending on the season, anglers can improve their skills while catching striped bass as well as large and small mouth bass. The annual shad and herring runs in early spring are an awesome sight. Perch, catfish and carp are also in abundance in the Susquehanna. The river, from the Conowingo Dam to the mouth where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay, is tidal water. The Chesapeake Bay Sports Fishing License (tidal license) is required in order to fish this portion of the Susquehanna River. Fishing in Deer Creek requires a non-tidal fishing license.
- Camping--The Susquehanna State Park campground contains two loops with a total of 69 sites, six of which are electric, and six camper cabins. Each loop has its own comfort station with hot showers. The campground is open May through the end of September. Pets are welcome but must be leashed at all times. Reservations are highly recommended for weekend camping. Reservations can be made by calling 1-888-432-2267. Senior citizen discounts are applicable Sunday through Thursday. Click here for a map of the campground.
- Picnic area--The Deer Creek picnic area offers shaded picnic tables, grills, two picnic shelters and a modern restroom. Large open fields close by are great for family games or blanket and basket picnics. A freshwater pond is on site and is ideal for the novice angler. The pavilions are available for rent for your family reunion or company picnic. Pavilion use is by reservation only.
- Click here for camping season beginning and ending dates, and camping and shelter service charges.
- Boating--The park's Lapidum Boating Facility offers direct access to the river and the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay just a short trip down stream. The ramps are open year round and there is a $10 service charge for Maryland residents; $11 for out-of-state residents. Year long passes are available and for sale within the park.
- Pets--Pets on a leash are allowed in all areas of the park except for the picnic areas, historic area and cabins.
- Junior Ranger Program--looking for enthusiastic young adults (girls and boys ages 8-14) who are willing to learn and participate in weekly prgrams. We will be focusing on responsible outdoor recreation, helping the environment and wildlife education. The more sessions attended, the more opportunity for advancement in the ranks of Junior Rangers! Sessions begin in mid June. Parents are welcome to join us. Please call Nicole Tripp or Rachel Robinson at the park office for registration at 410-734-9035. Spaces are limited.
- Hunting--Designated areas of the park are open to bow hunting for deer only. The hunting areas are open from October throughout the end of January. Hunting is allowed by permit only. Contact the park office for permit and season information as well as maps and regulations.
- Historic sites--The park is the home of the Rock Run Historic Area. History buffs will love touring the operational 200 year old Rock Run Grist Mill, as well as the Rock Run mansion. This area also contains the Jersey Toll House which at one time was the collection point for travelers crossing the covered bridge spanning the Susquehanna River. The remnants of the Susquehanna Tidewater Canal can be seen here as it parallels the river from Havre de Grace to Wrightsville, Pennsylvania. The mill, mansion and toll house are open for tours on weekends starting in May and continue until the end of September.
Susquehanna State Park is also home of the privately run Steppingstone Museum. Exhibits include antique farm implements, woodwrights shop, blacksmith shop, decoy carving shop and restored farm house. Steppingstone Museum also hosts special events throughout the year. Please call the museum office at (410) 939-2299 for more information.
- Maryland Park Service Standards for Historic Weapons Use--Historic weapons safety guidelines for interpretive demonstration purposes as authorized by the Maryland Park Service.
Self-Guided Recreational Activities
- Birding
- Canoeing/Kayaking the Susquenhanna River (9 mi.)
- Fishing the Susquehanna River
- Hiking the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway (3 mi.)
- Bow hunting at Susquehanna State Park
- Waterfowl hunting at Susquehanna State Park
- Historical walking tour of Rock Run Area
- Mountain biking (12.5 mi.)
- Mountain biking Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway (4 mi.)
- Road biking at Susquehanna State Park (2.3 mi.)
Trails and Trail Guide
Susquehanna State Park contains over 15 miles of marked and maintained trails; ideal for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and nature lovers. The terrain varies throughout the river valley. The different trails have ratings ranging from easy to difficult. The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenways Trail runs between the Conowingo Dam and Stafford Road at Deer Creek and is an excellent flat trail for family hike and bike outings. It is also handicapped accessible. Check out a map of the park.
Check out a copy of the Susquehanna State Park Trail Guide. This trail guide, complete with a topographical map of the multi-use trails, is available for sale at park headquarters.
- Susquehanna Ridge Trail - Blazed in red, the trail goes from the Picnic Area to Lapidum following the western ridge of the Susquehanna River. The Ridge Trail is approximately three miles in distance with moderate to difficult climbs. The trail provides magnificent views of the Susquehanna River Valley.
- Land of Promise - Blazed in white, the trail starts at the Ridge Trail a short distance from Lapidum Trail Head. The Land of Promise is of moderate difficulty and is 1.6 miles in distance. The trail ends at the Rock Run Historic Area by the mansion driveway.
- Farm Road Trail - Blazed in dark blue, the trail starts in the Deer Creek Picnic Area following a farm road through fields and forests. The Farm Trail is moderate in difficulty and is two miles in distance. The trail crosses both Wilkinson and Rock Run Roads and ends at the Rock Run Y Trail.
- Rock Run Y Trail - Blazed in yellow, the trail begins at Quaker Bottom Road. The trail forks in the pine plantation. The right fork will intersect with the Land of Promise Trail. The left fork intersects with the Farm Road Trail and continues on and intersects the Land of Promise Trail. Moderate difficulty with a distance of .9 miles.
- Ivy Branch Trail - Blazed in orange, this trail begins at the intersection of Rock Run and Wilkinson Roads. The trail crosses the Farm Road Trail, Wilkinson Road and through farm fields. An easy to moderate trail with a distance of two miles.
- Deer Creek Trail - Blazed in green, the trail begins and ends at the Picnic Area. The Deer Creek Trail has magnificent views and giant trees. A moderate to difficult trail with a distance of 2.1 miles.
- Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenways Trail - Marked with Greenways emblems at half mile intervals, a 2.2 mile improved section runs between Conowingo Dam and Stafford Road at Deer Creek. This trail is accessible from the Deer Creek Picnic Area or Conowingo Dam parking area. A one mile unimproved section continues along the Susquehanna, bringing you to the trestle bridge at the mouth of Deer Creek. The Greenways trail continues on a 3 mile unimproved section by following the Susquehanna Ridge Trail from the trestle or picnic area at Lapidum.
- Spur Trails - Blazed in Silver with a number. The Spur Trail connects trails to expand your travels through Susquehanna State Park.
Maryland Conservation Corps
Susquehanna State Park is supported by a Maryland Conservation Corps Program. The Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) is an AmeriCorps program that engages young adults, ages 17-25, who want to dedicate a year of service to natural resource conservation. Over a ten to 11-month period, MCC members work as crews to complete 1,700 hours of service. Conservation service activities include: trail maintenance, environmental education, stream & wetland restoration, park facility improvements, invasive species removal and Bay grass planting. Extensive member training is provided, including: First Responder certification, Wildland Fire Fighting certification, Search and Rescue certification, Park Operations, Environmental Education and Interpretation, Chainsaw Safety, Leave No Trace and Canoe Trip Leading.No minimum qualifications are required other than transportation to the designated job site and a desire to serve. Low-cost State Housing is available at certain crew sites. Benefits include a living allowance of $7.00/hour, health care benefits, child care assistance (if eligible) and a $4,725 education scholarship award for those members that complete 1,700 hours of service. MCC employs a Zero Tolerance Policy for any member who uses alcohol or illegal drugs while attending an MCC project, training or event.
For more information or to apply, contact the park manager or download an application from the Maryland Department of Natural Resource’s Maryland Conservation Corps website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/mcc/yearround.htm
The Greenways Trail from Conowingo to Stafford Road is accessible. Also available are accessible campsites and boat ramps. For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.
DIRECTIONS: Susquehanna State Park is located three miles northwest of Havre de Grace off Route 155 in Harford County. The park is approximately 35 miles north of Baltimore. Take I-95 north or south to Route 155, exit 89. Proceed west on Route 155 to Route 161. Turn right on Route 161 and then right on Rock Run Road. Follow Rock Run Road to the park.
Location - The park is in Harford County, three miles northwest of Havre de Grace, off RT. 155, 35 miles from Baltimore.
Susquehanna State Park
4122 Wilkinson Road
Havre de Grace, MD 21078
(410)734-9035
Call 1-888-432-CAMP(2267) for reservations
Click here to make reservations on-line for Susquehanna State Park.Volunteers are needed to help with park activities, please call us if you would like to help (410) 557-7994
Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas is provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.
Last Updated on October 7, 2008 Mini-cabin and mansion photos by Susquehanna State Park Staff
