During the sunny days of Pennsylvania’s summer, spending time outdoors is high on most people’s to-do list. Soaking up the natural beauty of the area while enjoying a delicious meal is an excellent opportunity to bond with a loved one. Putting together a picnic is simple and easy. Here are four of the best picnic spots in York County. Head to the nearest spot today, with a blanket and a friend in tow.
1. Gifford Pinchot State Park
Gifford Pinchot State Park is a 2,338-acre open space between Rossville and Lewisberry. The park offers guests grassy fields, wooded hillsides, and the 340-acre Pinchot Lake. Take your cooler to the Conewago Day Use Area on the east side of the lake where you’ll find four pavilions, including two that are ADA accessible. There are picnic tables, charcoal grills, drinking water fountains, and well-maintained restrooms.
There’s convenient parking to the area, so you won’t have to haul your gear for miles, and it’s adjacent to the horseshoe pits for a bit of competitive action while you wait for the charcoal to heat up. There’s also a softball field and a volleyball court in the nearby Quaker Race area. The park is open every day from sunrise to sunset.
2. Highpoint Scenic Vista and Recreation Area
The Highpoint Scenic Vista and Recreation Area was established in 2007 and offers picnickers a breathtaking view of the Susquehanna River. Sprawling over 79 acres of scenic meadowlands, the park is located on a hilltop overlooking the water. There’s a fountain and birdwatching while you eat.
After lunch, lace up your running shoes and jump on the Mason-Dixon Trail that meanders through the park. Come on out to this 199-mile footpath on Sep. 7 for the KTA Trail Challenge, a 25K and 50K annual event.
3. Codorus Furnace
One of York County’s most historic structures, Codorus Furnace is not your typical picnic spot. On this site, you’ll find a lot to love, including the iron furnace plus a variety of associated buildings. There’s the charcoal house, the worker’s homes, the 2.5-story ironmaster’s house, and the ruins of other unknown stone structures. Codorus Furnace measures 30 feet square and stands 12 feet tall.
This picnic spot is just off of Furnace Rd. You’ll find ample parking and a unique backdrop for a tasty packed lunch outdoors.
4. Samuel S. Lewis State Park
Samuel S. Lewis State Park at 6000 Mt. Pisgah Rd. in Lower Windsor Twp. is an 85-acre park that touts one of the best views of York County. With its 885-foot-high ridge, it offers an excellent alternative picnic spot for those that don’t want to climb the nearby Highpoint Scenic Vista. On the top of Samuel S. Lewis Park, you’ll find plenty of space for picnics, including tables and benches.
What better way to get out and enjoy the warm weather in York County this summer than with a picnic? Whether you pack up classic fried chicken and potato salad or a gourmet sandwich, everything tastes better outside on a blanket.
Image via Flickr by dstrelau | CC BY 2.0 | Cropped from original
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