Canoeing and Camping at Gifford Pinchot State Park
Gifford Pinchot State Park
This 2338 acre park is located in York County Pennsylvania, near the town of Rossville. The park offers hiking, flatwater paddling , hunting, fishing, cross country skiing, horseback riding, and tent, yurts, cottages and cabin camping. The park also offers environmental education programs.
Canoeing at Gifford Pinchot
The park has a 340 acre lake with three boat launches available 24 hours a day. There are moorings and canoe racks available from April to November. The mooring areas can accommodate sailboats and catamarans. Boat rentals are available throughout the summer months.
Camping at Gifford Pinchot
With 339 campsites, this park provides one of the largest state park campgrounds in Pennsylvania. Camping in available April through October. Campsites are available for motor homes and tents. The campground has an accessible swimming beach, amphitheater, boat launching and mooring area, sanitary dumping stations, modern bathhouses with flush toilets and showers.
- There are limited cottages available for rental. They sleep five people in single bunks and double bunks and have wooden floors, windows, electric heat, porch, picnic table, fire ring, electric lights and outlets. The bathhouse is nearby.
- Yurts are round Mongolian-style tents on a wooden deck. They sleep six people in single bunks and double bunks. They come with a cooking stove, refrigerator, countertop, table, chairs, electric lights, electric heat, outlets, fire ring, and picnic table. The bathhouse is nearby.
- The park has ten cabins available for rental throughout the four seasons. The cabins include a living, kitchen, dining area, toilet and shower room and two or three bedrooms. The cabins have boat mooring areas on the lakeshore.
Fishing at Gifford Pinchot State Park
The 340 acre lake has great fishing opportunity for largemouth and stripped bass,
muskellunge, catfish, carp, walleye, and various panfish. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission designated Pinchot Lake as a big bass lake. Special regulations apply to this lake.
Horseback Riding
A section of the park is set aside for horseback riding. There are several miles of trails that wind through fields and farm land, and woodlands. There are no horse rentals.
Hiking at Gifford Pinchot State Park
There are more than 18 miles of maintained hiking trails at Gifford Pinchot
State Park.
Hunting in the Park
1,780 acres are available to hunters and dog trainers. Hunters will encounter deer, waterfowl and rabbit. Hunting is restricted to archery, shotgun and muzzleloader. Center fire rifles and handguns are not permitted. Hunting is prohibited during spring and summer. Special regulations apply to all hunting in the park so contact the park services before hunting in the park.
Environmental Education
Park programs include environmental education and interpretive programs. There are hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs. Pontoon boat tours are offered during the summer months. The park also contains a nature center.
Environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the park office.
Although campsites are available on a first come basis, it is advisable to reserve your campsite in advance. You can reserve a campsite online by clicking here. Or you can call 888-PA-PARKS.
For more information on visit the Gifford Pinchot State Park Website.