At Hocker park you can do 3.4 mile lollipop hike into Boyd’s.  There is a steep descent and ascent of approximately 325 feet.  Except for those two areas, this trail is fairly level and a good choice for anytime of the year.  You can add mileage by doing loops in Boyd’s Big Tree.  The distance to Boyd’s is approximately 1 mile each way.  To do the outer loop at Boyd’s you would have approximately 6.5 miles including the out and back. 

Plenty of parking available.  There are two picnic tables and a grill available in the parking lot.  A lot of food options are also available on Linglestown Road.

General Directions:

At the AT Crossing in Boiling Springs you can hike North or South on the AT.  The closest parking lot is at the Boiling Springs Tavern as of 2024, the Tavern is temporarily closed for renovations.  You should continue to check and confirm it is closed before choosing this parking lot as your meeting point.

The next closest lot in to park at the Iron Furnace near the Children’s Lake in Boiling Springs

General Directions:
The Boiling Springs Tavern is located in the Center of Boiling Springs across from the Children’s Lake.  It is off of 174 just before the stop sign at Front Street.

The parking lot for the Iron Furnace is located at the other end of Children’s Lake just off of Bucher Hill Road.

Trails are available at the park ranging from Easy to Moderate.  They can be combined to do a loop around the lake.  The park has several programs throughout the year, including Light Up Little Buffalo in December.  The Park is open from Sunrise to Sunset.

General Directions:
From PA 322, take the Newport Exit and follow PA 34 south through the town of Newport. One mile from town, turn right onto Little Buffalo Road to the park. From PA 322 to the park entrance is 4.6 miles.

Parking is also available at the Old Office which is at the corner of Little Buffalo and Gill Hill Roads.

Large parking lot that can fit up to 8 vehicles. You can walk in either direction on the Appalachian Trail for as many miles as you choose for an out and back. It is a mainly flat and easy section of the Appalachian Trail until you get past Wertzville Road the the trail begins to climb the mountain to the Cumberland Valley Overlook.
Next parking option is Sherwood Drive heading North and the Carlisle Pike heading South.

General Directions:
Scott’s Farm Trail Work Center:
From Rt. 81 take the Rt. 114/Mechanicsburg Exit.
Head toward Mechanicsburg.
At the intersection of Carlisle Pike/Rt.11 turn RIGHT.
Pass Cumberland Valley Education Park & enter New Kingstown.
At the gas station turn RIGHT on Ridge Hill Rd.
At Bernhisel Bridge Rd. turn LEFT.
Follow to the bridge over the Conodoquinet Creek
Scotts Farm is on your left

A horseshoe shaped trail with a lollipop extension that you can use for an approx 3-5 mile hike.  Another parking lot is available off of Roundtop Road.

General Directions:
Take Route 283 South (toward the PA Turnpike)
Take exit on to Route 283 East (toward Lancaster)
Take Route 283 East to the Middletown/Hummelstown Exit
At the light at the top of the ramp turn LEFT on Vine Street
Go 2 more stop lights and turn RIGHT on Schoolhouse Road
Go to the 4 way stop at Roundtop Rd., continue straight on Schoolhouse Road
After approx. 0.4 mile to the State Game Lands parking area on your LEFT
Be careful pulling into the lot, it is usually rutted