Both an outdoor and history lover’s paradise, 2,651-acre Susquehanna State Park is nestled in Maryland’s picturesque Susquehanna River Valley. Year-round, the park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, boating, camping, horseback riding, hunting, birding, and more — all set in a beautiful old-growth forest interspersed with several streams, dramatic bluffs, and the river itself.
Historic sites, including a working gristmill dating back over 100 years and a well-preserved 18th-century mansion, offer a scenic, intriguing step back in time. Truly, Susquehanna State Park has a bit of everything!
The park is conveniently located within a two-hour drive of several major cities on the eastern seaboard, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., so it’s easy to plan a visit, even if you only have a quick weekend. Plus, when you rent an RV, you can also experience Susquehanna State Park camping, allowing you to spend every moment enjoying the area. Ready to start planning your trip? Here’s everything you need to know!
Susquehanna State Park Fast Facts
- Susquehanna State Park is open daily year-round, from sunrise to sunset. Fishing or hunting with the proper permits may be allowed outside of those hours.
- Speaking of hunting, it’s important to note that some areas of the park are open to public hunting from September through February and again in April. You can see the entire upcoming year’s hunting schedule on their website.
- The park is free to enjoy, with the exception of amenities such as the picnic area ($2 per vehicle for Maryland residents; $4 per vehicle for out-of-state visitors), boat launch ($10 for Maryland residents; $12 for non-residents), and campground.
- There are restrooms at the boat launch, Deer Creek Picnic Area, and Susquehanna State Park campground.
Best Time To Visit Susquehanna State Park
Susquehanna State Park offers four-season recreation opportunities and is open year-round, so there are several schools of thought regarding the best time to visit. For those who want to camp, late spring through early fall is best. Birders most enjoy spring and fall, during seasonal migration.
Weather-wise, early summer and early fall are the calmest and most pleasant. While the area doesn’t see a great deal of snow, it does get a lot of rain, especially in the summer. It’s also quite humid during July and August. October and November are the driest months, and snow doesn’t typically start regularly until January.
Things To Do at Susquehanna State Park
There is no shortage of things to do at Susquehanna State Park. We outline some of the top activities for visitors to participate in at this stunning state park.
Hit a Trail
With 15 miles of multi-use trails, there’s a path for everyone (human, pet, and even horse!) at Susquehanna State Park. The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenways Trail is one of the most popular, relatively flat, and easily accessible. In the spring, wildflowers blanket everything alongside the park’s trails, particularly along the river. Note that because many of the trails are multi-use, you should take extra care in sharing the path, with hikers yielding to cyclists and those on horseback.
Historic Rock Run Mill
Built in 1800 and remarkably well-preserved, the four-story Rock Run gristmill is fascinating. The 1900 water wheel is still operational! Explore the mill, along with several other structures, on your own self-guided walking tour, on an easy-going half-mile path. On weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day, visitors can also tour the mill and mansion.
Birding
Because Susquehanna State Park is along a major migration route, visitors can spot hundreds of unique bird species at any time of year. Birding enthusiasts may consider spring and fall the best times to visit, when warblers, in particular, make their seasonal migration flights. On the other hand, however, winter brings bald eagles to the area, and swallows congregate around the river in warm-weather months.
Fishing
The Susquehanna River is well-known as an excellent destination, especially for bass, pike, and perch. You can take a boat out or even fish from several places along the shore at Susquehanna State Park.
Susquehanna State Park Camping Options
There are a few options for Susquehanna State Park camping. First is the on-site campground inside of the state park. There are also nearby RV parks to check out if the on-site camping is full. Read on to learn more about these campgrounds and their amenities.
Susquehanna State Park Campground
Between April and October, visitors can stay at the 69-site Susquehanna State Park campground. Six sites in Acorn Loop have electricity hookups, and there are central restrooms and several stations with potable water, plus a playground, dump station, and amphitheater. Reservations aren’t required, but they are highly recommended for weekends.
Camping Near Susquehanna State Park
If you’re looking for an alternative to the park’s campground, perhaps because it’s out of season or it’s full, check out these options nearby.
Experience Susquehanna State Park Camping in an RV
Getting a Cruise America RV rental is one of the best ways to make the most of your time at Susquehanna State Park. Enjoy everything the area has to offer on your own schedule and with comfortable amenities at your fingertips. With over 100 convenient rental locations, including Baltimore and Philadelphia, it’s never been easier to plan a getaway!