At Shikellamy State Park, views of the Susquehanna River meet a landscape shaped by water. The 50-acre Marina Section is located at the tip of Packers Island in Northumberland County. Two boat launches, paved paths, and direct river views give this area its own character. The park also has areas for hiking, picnicking, and biking.
River Landscape and Boating Area
Lake Augusta is a seasonal, 3,060-acre lake formed by an inflatable dam. The dam is located two miles downstream from Shikellamy State Park. When fully inflated, the dam allows four miles of unobstructed boating on the lake; water levels vary by season. The Marina Section has a boat launch for transient boaters, as well as 90 parking spaces for vehicles with boat trailers and 750 spaces for individual vehicles. The Point Sitting Area at Shikellamy Marina offers a scenic view of Lake Augusta and the river. Kury Point is an overlook at the southern tip of Packers Island.
Shikellamy State Park is open daily year-round from sunrise to sunset. Day-use areas close at dusk; individual facilities may have different hours. This distinction is useful for planning if you want to combine a park visit with a visit to a specific facility.
History Revealed on Walking Tours
The Joseph Priestley House, with its mansion and laboratory, is both a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Chemical Landmark. The site also includes the Joseph Priestley Timeline in the nearby Pond Building, where panels show different periods of Priestley’s life. The 2026 tour season runs from March 8 through November 15; tours are offered Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., and appointments are available by prior arrangement. Check the schedule before finalizing your visit.
Fort Augusta can also be explored through several historical traces. From the French and Indian War through the end of the American Revolution, it was Pennsylvania’s fort in the Upper Susquehanna Valley; during the Revolutionary War, it also served as the headquarters of American forces in the valley. At the site, the scale model can be viewed from the observation deck during daylight hours. The original well and powder magazine from the 1750s have also been preserved. An exhibit at the Hunter House Museum displays archaeological finds from the site, including material from the Moravian Blacksmith Shop of 1743, as well as Native American and Fort Augusta artifacts.
In Sunbury, architecture offers another way to explore regional history: the historic district includes buildings representing important architectural styles dating back to 1772. The self-guided tour starts at the corner of Market Street and Second Street; parking is available nearby, and the walk takes about one hour and 15 minutes. A historical look at Northumberland County’s transportation network adds to these discoveries: it developed from Native American trade routes to bridle paths and roads, then to canals and railroads. The Susquehanna Division of the Pennsylvania Canal ran 39 miles along the west side of the river to the bridge terminus at Northumberland.
In Shamokin, more walking tours explore different chapters of local history. The Mural Tour features murals by local artists that honor Shamokin’s history and cultural heritage; another mural explores the history of the anthracite region, including historic coal mining and the so-called bootleg coal industry. The Thomas Edison Illuminated Walking Tour follows the route of his demonstration of electric lighting through Shamokin in September 1883. St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church is part of the story as the first church to be illuminated with Edison’s three-wire incandescent lighting system. The 1.77-mile Shamokin Monument Tour connects the JFK Memorial with the 80-foot-tall Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
Forests, Trails, and Water in Contrast
Milton State Park is an 82-acre island in the West Branch Susquehanna River between the boroughs of Milton and West Milton. Its southern half is wooded and used for hiking and nature observation. In the Roaring Creek Tract of Weiser State Forest, an eight-mile shared-use trail runs through quiet valleys, past reservoirs, and through forest landscapes.
Boating options in the Roaring Creek Tract also differ from the expansive Lake Augusta boating area: electric-motor boats and non-motorized boats are permitted on McWilliams’ Reservoir and Kline’s Reservoir. The two reservoirs cover 184 and 31 acres, respectively; check the applicable regulations before setting out. In southeastern Northumberland County near Coal Township, the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area covers about 7,500 acres of leased coal land. This family-friendly recreation area combines motorized and non-motorized activities. A free, publicly accessible hiking trail is 3.1 miles long, equipped with fitness stations and overlooks, and open year-round.
Discover more destinations: Sunbury, Ralpho, Fayette County, Butler, Columbia, Luzerne, Lycoming County and Venango County.
For the main travel overview: Pennsylvania.
