Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

Wellsville, Pennsylvania · on Pinchot Lake · Gifford Pinchot State Park

Verified · 3 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: No fee found
SEASON: May

About Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

Gifford Pinchot State Park, a 2,338-acre Pennsylvania state park in York County near Lewisberry, centers on the 340-acre artificial Pinchot Lake. The park maintains an official, ADA-accessible designated swim beach in the Quaker Race Day Use Area, plus a separate swim beach at the campground, so campers get a swimming hole of their own on this lake to swim in.

The park surrounds Pinchot Lake, a roughly three-mile-long reservoir created for the park, set within rolling York County countryside. The lake shoreline hosts day-use areas, camping, boat launches, and trail access including a segment of the Mason-Dixon Trail.

Swimming at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

Swimming takes place at a large, sandy, ADA-accessible artificial beach on the reservoir at the Quaker Race Day Use Area, with a second designated beach at the campground. There are no lifeguards noted by the park, and swimmers are advised they swim at their own risk. The lake has experienced recurring water-quality problems (elevated E. coli and harmful algal blooms) that have closed both beaches to swimming for extended periods, including for the remainder of the 2024 season, while boating and fishing continued.

The hike in

Both official swim beaches (Quaker Race Day Use Area beach and the campground beach) are drive-up day-use areas reached directly from adjacent parking/picnic areas -- no hike is needed to reach the water. The park does have an extensive hiking network that touches these same areas: the 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail loop passes near the day-use areas (rated 'most difficult,' ~5-6 hr walk), a 1.7-mile Quaker Race Trail connects from the Quaker Race Day Use Area to the Lakeside Trail (forming a 3-mile loop), and short connector trails (Fern 0.15 mi, Midland 0.25 mi, Oak 0.4 mi, Ridge 1.2 mi) link the campground and other areas. None of these hikes are required to swim; they are optional add-ons for visitors who also want to walk.

No hike required to reach either designated swim beach; treat as drive-up/short walk from parking.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

The designated swim beaches are large, sandy, and ADA-accessible with gentle reservoir-edge entry, but the park posts no lifeguards (swim at your own risk) and Pinchot Lake has a documented recent history of E. coli and harmful-algal-bloom closures, including a 2024 closure that lasted the rest of the season. Families should check current water-quality status before letting kids swim.

Hours

Park open daily, year-round, 8:00 A.M. to sunset (day-use areas close at sunset); the designated swim beaches themselves are only open late May through mid-September, 8:00 A.M. to sunset.

Swim smart

Recurring harmful algal blooms and elevated E. coli levels have repeatedly closed both park swim beaches (documented closures in 2024, including a second closure within three months that shut swimming for the rest of the season); no lifeguards are noted; visitors are advised to avoid water showing foam, scum, or discoloration, wash hands after contact, shower after swimming, and avoid swallowing untreated water.

Rules: Swim only in the designated beach area at your own risk; beach is smoke-free (no cigarettes, pipes, cigars, or e-cigarettes on the beach, though a designated smoking area exists nearby); swim season runs late May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. to sunset; park itself is open daily 8:00 A.M. to sunset with day-use areas closing at sunset; boating on the lake is limited to electric motors at no-wake speed.

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

KayaksCanoesPaddleboatRowboatsMotorboats

Restrictions: Electric motors only, no-wake speed; gas/combustion motors are prohibited on the 340-acre Pinchot Lake.

Private canoes, kayaks, paddleboats/paddleboards, and rowboats are permitted; any motor must be electric and used at no-wake speed. The park's own concession at the Conewago Day Use Area also rents canoes, one- and two-person kayaks, paddleboats, rowboats, and electric motorboats.

Rentals nearby

Gifford Pinchot State Park Boat Rental (park concession, Conewago Day Use Area)

Canoes, one- and two-person kayaks, paddleboats, rowboats, and electric motorboats; rentable by the hour, day, overnight, or week

Conewago Day Use Area, Gifford Pinchot State Park · Weather permitting, open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day

Backstory

Ground was broken in May 1958 by Governor George M. Leader; the park opened to the public on May 26, 1961, and was named for Gifford Pinchot, a former Pennsylvania governor and the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service. A toboggan slide was added in 1963, and 350 additional campsites with washhouses were built in 1968.

Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground: FAQ

Is Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground?

When is the best time to visit Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground?

Late May through mid-September (posted swim season); park water-quality testing has periodically closed the beaches during parts of this window.

What are the rules at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground?

Swim only in the designated beach area at your own risk; beach is smoke-free (no cigarettes, pipes, cigars, or e-cigarettes on the beach, though a designated smoking area exists nearby); swim season runs late May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. to sunset; park itself is open daily 8:00 A.M. to sunset with day-use areas closing at sunset; boating on the lake is limited to electric motors at no-wake speed.

What water body is Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground on?

Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground is on Pinchot Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.