History by the River

At Fort Hunter Park, river scenery and history come together. The site preserves the story of a former military fort, a center of frontier trade, and an exclusive private estate; today, it is preserved and open to the public. Guided tours of the Fort Hunter Mansion are offered from May through December. The Dauphin County park system includes eight sites.

Ridge and Water Trails

The Appalachian Trail follows the ridge of Blue Mountain through Dauphin County. The county also includes the middle section of the Susquehanna River Water Trail and the Swatara Creek Water Trail. The Susquehanna River Water Trail runs 51 miles from Sunbury to Harrisburg. The Appalachian Trail highlights the ridge, while the endpoints and length of the Susquehanna River Water Trail give you a concrete sense of the river route.

At Fort Hunter Park, you can walk along the Susquehanna River and the old towpath of the Pennsylvania Canal. The old towpath connects the walk to the history of the canal. There is also a non-motorized boat launch and river access for canoes and kayaks. This lets you choose between a walk by the river or along the canal path and access for non-motorized boats.

Detweiler and Wildwood

The landscape at Detweiler Park includes gardens, fields, meadows, evergreen plantings, and mature hardwood forests. Its trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. At Wildwood Park, the exhibit hall at the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center shows how a freshwater wetland works and offers insight into the wildlife that lives there. The trails at Wildwood Park are also open daily from sunrise to sunset. Detweiler brings together several types of landscape, while Wildwood explains a specific habitat and its wildlife. Check the latest trail access notices for Wildwood before your visit.

Routes and Regional History

The Capital Area Greenbelt is a 20-mile loop through and around Harrisburg that passes Wildwood Park and Fort Hunter Park. Nine miles of the Lykens Valley Rail Trail are open across three separate sections. The routes therefore differ in form: the Greenbelt is a loop, while the open sections of the Lykens Valley Rail Trail are spread across separate segments. Check the latest trail status for the Lykens Valley Rail Trail before planning your visit. The Stony Valley Rail-Trail offers a family-friendly way to explore Stony Valley. Another historical trace can be found on a loop section of a hiking trail that encircles the former site of Baker’s Sawmill. Baker’s Sawmill was the last steam-powered sawmill in Dauphin County.

Visits and Programs

The Historical Society of Dauphin County offers tours, hands-on educational programs, and workshops at the Mansion. General programs are usually offered on the second Sunday of each month from March through November. Since dates may vary, check the current program before your visit. Depending on your interests, you can choose a tour, an educational program, or a workshop.

Discover more destinations: Harrisburg, Hershey, Grantville, Hummelstown, Oberlin, Middletown, Halifax, Dauphin.

For the main travel overview: Pennsylvania.