{{short description|State park in Pennsylvania, United States}} {{For|the [[List of Pennsylvania state forests|Pennsylvania state forest]]|Susquehannock State Forest}} {{About|the Pennsylvania State Park||Susquehanna State Park (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Susquehannock State Park | image = Hawk Point Overlook.jpg | image_caption = | image_alt = River overlook | image_size = 280 | location = [[Drumore Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|39.80607|-76.28341|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="susquehannocksp"/> | area = {{convert|224|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="susquehannocksp"/> | elevation = {{convert|463|ft}} | established = 1965 | administrator = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] | free_label = | free_data = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_ref = | website = {{Official website}} | module = {{Infobox protected area | map = USA Pennsylvania#USA | label = Susquehannock State Park | label_position = top | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Susquehannock State Park''' is a [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] on {{convert|224|acre}} in [[Drumore Township, Pennsylvania|Drumore Township]], [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster County]], [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States. The park is on a scenic plateau overlooking the [[Susquehanna River]] and [[Conowingo Dam|Conowingo Reservoir]]. The park is named for the [[Susquehannock]] people, who lived in the area. Susquehannock State Park is located on small roads a few miles south of [[Pennsylvania Route 372]] and west of [[Pennsylvania Route 272]]. The nearest city is [[Quarryville, Pennsylvania]], about {{convert|12|mi}} East.
==Recreation== In addition to its many fine views of the river and Wissler Run, the park is used for [[picnic]]s, [[hiking]], [[horseback riding]], and has organized group [[tent]]ing facilities for overnight use by qualified groups.<ref name="susquehannocksp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/susquehannock-state-park |title=Susquehannock State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=2026-01-20}}</ref>
===Hiking trails=== There are {{convert|5|mi}} of hiking trails at Susquehannock State Park. The trails wind through a variety of [[habitat (ecology)|habitats]]. [[Native holly]], [[rhododendron]] and a wide variety of wildflowers can be seen at the park. Woodland creatures like the [[white-tailed deer]], songbirds and some lizards can be seen. [[Osprey]], [[vulture]]s, [[hawk]]s and [[bald eagle]]s can be seen soaring over the river and park from the scenic overlooks. All trails, except Rhododendron Trail, are open to horseback riding.<ref name="susquehannocksp"/>
* '''Overlook Trail''' is {{convert|0.55|mi|m}} and leads to the two scenic overlooks at Hawk Point and Wissler's Run. * '''Rhododendron Trail''' is {{convert|1.2|mi}} and is the steepest and longest trail in the park. The trail passes rhododendrons and the remains of the homestead of Thomas Neel, an [[American Revolutionary War]] [[veteran]]. * '''Pine Tree Trail''' is a short and steep access trail to Wissler's Run. * '''Five Point Trail''' is {{convert|0.7|mi}} and features views of creek valleys and many rhododendrons. * '''Holly Trail''' is {{convert|0.5|mi|m}} and passes by native holly bushes and [[Christmas fern]]s. * '''Fire Trail''' is a short logging road through a stand of [[Populus|poplar]] trees. * '''Spring Trail''' is {{convert|0.4|mi|m}} and features [[Asimina triloba|pawpaw tree]]s. * '''Nature Trail''' passes through a mature hardwood forest for {{convert|0.3|mi|m}}. * '''Phites Eddy Trail''' is a short trail that runs along the river in the vicinity of a former [[Public house#Inns|inn]]. * '''Landis Trail''' is {{convert|0.6|mi|m}} and is named for Lester Landis the original owner of the historical Landis House which is across from the park office. A stand of [[Virginia bluebell]]s bloom along this trail in late April and early May. * '''Pipeline Trail''' is {{convert|0.24|mi|m}} and follows the right of way of an abandoned [[Pipeline transport|pipeline]].
===Scenic overlooks=== Susquehannock State Park features two scenic overlooks. They offer a view of the [[Susquehanna River]] and the Conowingo Reservoir on the Susquehanna River. Hawk Point overlooks the reservoir, a [[hydroelectric]] impoundment created by [[Conowingo Dam]] in northern [[Maryland]]. The waters of the reservoir provide hydroelectric power and cooling water for the Peach Bottom [[nuclear reactor]]. The reservoir is also a recreational center for [[boating]] and [[fishing]]. The waters also provide a habitat for a wide variety of fish. These fish are [[prey]]ed upon by bald eagles and osprey. Hawks, [[turkey vulture]]s and [[black vulture]]s can also be seen soaring over the park from Hawk Point. Down the hill from Hawk Point overlook is Wissler's Run overlook. This vista gives a view of the original rocky nature of the Susquehanna's riverbed.<ref name="susquehannocksp"/>
==The Susquehannock Tribe== The [[Susquehannock]]s, an Iroquoian speaking tribe, had their first encounter with Europeans in 1608 when [[Captain John Smith]] was exploring the [[Chesapeake Bay]] for the English Crown. What the Susquehannock called themselves is unknown, the modern name comes from the name, Sasquesahanough or "roily water people", bestowed upon them by Cpt. Smith and his [[Algonquian peoples|Algonquian]] interpreter. They made their home by the river and had only one small village ([[Conestoga, Pennsylvania|Conestoga]]), but they were a strong tribe, that controlled trade routes along the river and the upper reaches of the bay. The Susquehannock lived along the river until 1675 when they suffered a major defeat at the hands of the [[Iroquois]]. Following this loss they began a period of migration and eventual decline. Five chiefs were murdered in Maryland when they went to a meeting to negotiate a treaty. They migrated to [[New York (state)|New York]] in 1677 and intermingled with the Iroquois. They returned to Conestoga in 1697 but left again in the early 18th century when they migrated, again, to [[Ohio]]. Some remained behind and became known as Conestogas. They were able to live in Pennsylvania until 1763 when a group of six were slaughtered by the anti-Indian [[Paxton Boys]]. The remaining members of the tribe sought protection from the colonial governor and were taken to a [[workhouse]] in Lancaster. The Paxton Boys gained entry to the workhouse and murdered fourteen more Indians. Only two Susquehannocks remained in Pennsylvania. They worked the rest of their lives as [[servant]]s on a farm where they died and were buried bringing about the end of the Susquehannock people in Pennsylvania.<ref name="susquehannocksp"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/susquehannock-state-park Susquehannock State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources * {{cite web|url= http://www.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003062.pdf |title=Susquehannock State Park official map }} {{small|(448.2 KB)}} {{Protected areas of Pennsylvania}}
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[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1965]] [[Category:Parks in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:1965 establishments in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]]