Our second park visit was to Gifford Pinchot State Park in Lewisberry,Pa. This visit included myself, Colt, my parents, and my sister Sydney and Brother in law Alex. It was a chilly day so Sawyer sat this one out with Kyle.
If you missed it, my family is trying to visit all 26 Pennsylvania State Parks in the south region this year (2023) and will be reporting back on how toddler friendly they are.
We took the Lakeside trail and the Alpine trail. Although a little windy, once we got into the woods a bit it was great. We went on a Sunday around lunch time. Gifford Pinchot offers swimming and boating in the warmer months so we will definitely be back to this one over the summer to maybe rent a paddle boat and go swimming.
The loop around the entire lake is about 8 miles. My dad and I want to try to do the entire thing in the near future once it gets warmer earlier in the day.
The paths were all either travel,or just dirt trails. For the wooded trails I don’t think it is very stroller friendly since there are a lot of tree roots sticking out of the ground as well as the paths themselves not being super super wide. All in all, if your toddlers are walking or you happen to babywear, this would be a good trail for you. Take a look at my Instagram to see the video I made of our adventures at Gifford Pinchot.
Ongoing lessons learned to keep in mind:
- Pack a first aid kit
- Bring sunscreen/bug spray for warmer weather
- Wear more appropriate shoes (hiking shoes or waterproof)
- Wear a hat
Thanks for following along our visits to Pennsylvania State Parks! Make sure to follow along to get updates when we visit another park. Also, check out my Instagram where I’ll post updates and videos from our state park travels 🫶🏼
Stay well, Stef
Southern Region Pennsylvania State Parks and Location
Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area (BLAIN, PA)
Blue Knob State Park (ILMER, PA)
Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area (HARRISBURG, PA)
Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park (MERCERSBURG, PA)
Caledonia State Park (FAYETTEVILLE, PA)
Canoe Creek State Park (HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA)
Codorus State Park (HANOVER, PA)
Colonel Denning State Park (NEWVILLE, PA)
Cowans Gap State Park (FORT LOUDON, PA)
Fowlers Hollow State Park (BLAIN, PA)
Gifford Pinchot State Park (LEWISBERRY, PA)
Greenwood Furnace State Park (HUNTINGDON, PA)
Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area (GRANTVILLE, PA)
Kings Gap Environmental Education Center (CARLISLE, PA)
Little Buffalo State Park (NEWPORT, PA)
Mont Alto State Park (FAYETTEVILLE, PA)
Penn-Roosevelt State Park (HUNTNGDON, PA)
Pine Grove Furnace State Park (GARDNERS, PA)
Prince Gallitzin State Park (PATTON, PA)
Samuel S. Lewis State Park (YORK, PA)
Shawnee State Park (SCHELLSBURG, PA)
Susquehanna Riverlands State Park (YORK, PA)
Susquehannock State Park (DRUMORE, PA)
Trough Creek State Park (JAMES CREEK, PA)
Warriors Path State Park (SAXTON, PA)
Whipple Dam State Park (PETERSBURG, PA)
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