Discover Lebanon: Nature and History

At the foot of Blue Mountain, Memorial Lake State Park covers 230 acres in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County. Fishing is possible from the shore, while wading, and from a boat; an accessible fishing pier adds another option. Comparing the natural areas, the scale of Swatara State Park stands out: it covers 3,520 acres and lies in Swatara Valley, whose rolling fields and forests shape the character of the area.

Nature, Water, and Trails

Swatara Creek flows through forests and wetlands. In Swatara State Park, the Bear Hole Trail winds through the landscape as a wide, rolling route. It is a trail for hiking and biking, and horseback riding is permitted on one section. The options at Memorial Lake and in Swatara Valley are therefore quite different: here, several kinds of fishing take center stage; there, trails accommodate a range of activities.

The nearly 6,000-acre Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area combines an interactive visitor center with a seasonal wildlife drive and more than 20 miles of hiking trails. It is also one of six areas in Pennsylvania designated as a globally important bird area. Since seasonal operations and visitor facilities may change, check current visitor information in advance.

At Swatara Watershed Park, a concrete ramp and an EZ Dock are used to launch paddlecraft. A mowed footpath and gravel paths offer opportunities for year-round recreation. Quittapahilla Creek Nature Park has a different focus: a central footpath runs alongside Quittapahilla Creek, a spring-fed trout stream that has been restored. These places combine outdoor activity with different waterside landscapes.

From Governor Dick Tower, the 360-degree view extends across Lebanon County and Lancaster, Dauphin, Berks, and York Counties. For planning, this viewpoint offers a different perspective from the trails along the water: instead of a route, the focus here is a wide-ranging view across several counties.

Industrial History and Culture

Cornwall Iron Furnace is the only surviving, fully intact charcoal cold-blast furnace in the Western Hemisphere. The five-acre site includes the Furnace Building, the Wagon Master and Blacksmith Shop buildings, the Abattoir, and a Charcoal Barn converted into a visitor center. The named buildings offer several distinct points of interest across the historic site.

Union Canal Tunnel is the oldest surviving water-transport tunnel in the United States and is located in a 110-acre recreational area. Weather permitting, canal tours are offered there from June through October on the first two Sundays of each month. Seasonal tour schedules may change; check the dates before your visit.

The Stoy Museum displays Pennsylvania German folk art and crafts, including furniture, quilts, weaving, Fraktur, and redware. It also features historic shops and a one-room schoolhouse. Historic Schaefferstown adds to this cultural selection with educational programs, tours of buildings and collections, as well as festivals and special events.

Regional Trails and Local Flavor

The Lebanon Valley is in central Pennsylvania, between Dauphin County and Lancaster County. The Lebanon Valley Rail Trail is a multi-use greenway that connects outdoor recreation with the region’s social and industrial history. Between mile markers 6 and 7, the Ice Cream Spur branches off the Rail Trail to Mt. Gretna, adding to the selection of regional trails.

Roadside farm stands, local markets, and pick-your-own farms are part of everyday life in the region. Depending on the harvest and the vendor, you may find fruit, vegetables, flowers, pumpkins, preserved goods, and baked goods; seasonal offerings vary. The self-guided Lebanon Valley Libations Trail leads to brewpubs, taverns, historic breweries, and neighborhood pubs serving local craft beers. Since participating businesses may change, it is worth checking the current selection in advance.

Discover more destinations: Jonestown, Myerstown, Sand Hill, Campbelltown, Lebanon, Palmyra, Annville, Mifflin.

For the broader travel overview: Pennsylvania.