Recreation

This park is located along Claster Boulevard in Dauphin Borough. The Park is owned and managed by the Dauphin-Middle Paxton Joint Park Authority and is funded by contributions by residents, along with Township and Borough funds. To reserve a pavilion at the Dauphin-Middle Paxton Park, please contact Tim Wenrich at 717-648-7490.

The Fishing Creek Community Center and Grounds is located at 1361 Fishing Creek Valley Road, Harrisburg, near Frog Hollow Road. The property and buildings are owned and funded by the Township. The park has a playground, tennis court, basketball court, and picnic pavilion. The building, including kitchen facilities, is available to rent for residents’ private parties, as well as for use by community groups. For additional information and reservations, please contact the Township office at (717) 921-8128.

This park is located at 1120 Mountain Road, Dauphin. The park offers several recreational facilities in a quiet setting on approximately 28 acres of semi-wooded grounds. Eight acres are currently devoted to athletic fields. A picnic pavilion, tennis, and basketball courts are on-site. Walking trails are available. A concession building with restrooms is also on-site. Any Township resident wishing to reserve the pavilion for private picnics should call the Township office (717) 921-8128 for reservations.

One of the Township’s hidden gems, be sure to not confuse it with the larger, Commonwealth-maintained conservation area in Halifax. Hiking trails are offered, and hunting is permitted.

For location, please click here. Look for the sign at the intersection of Huffman Lane and Stony Creek Road.

From the Dauphin County Parks & Recreation Department –

“Detweiler Park is the largest of eight parks of public land owned and managed by the Dauphin County Parks & Recreation Department. Visitors are encouraged to explore more than 7 miles of trails winding through varied habitats. Gardens, fields, meadows, evergreen plantations, and mature deciduous forests are some of the ecosystems in this biologically diverse park. Deer are seen frequently as well as a wide variety of birds including turkey, hawks, woodpeckers, and bluebirds. Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.”

For location, please click here.

From the Dauphin County Parks & Recreation Department –

“This 153-acre Conservancy of wooded mountain land was donated to Fort Hunter in 1986 by Dr. j. Wister Meigs. The son of museum founder Margaret Wister Meigs, he wanted to maintain this nature area in perpetuity. Of the old 900-acre estate, this was the furthest tract from the Mansion. Originally called the Chucky Hill tract, it is no longer contiguous to the Fort Hunter Park property.”

For location, please click here.

From the Dauphin County Parks & Recreation Department –

“Donated in 1980 by the Meigs family, the park includes ten historic buildings, two picnic pavilions, two sets of playground equipment, non-motorized boat launch and a recreation field. Seating overlooks the river and allows guests to enjoy the scenic view. The park offers a variety of programs and festivals throughout the year.”

For location, please click here.

From US 322, take the Fishing Creek Exit. Turn east onto Fishing Creek Valley Road (SR 443). The conservation area is 2.6 miles on the right. The 1,025-acre Conservation Area is one of the newest Pennsylvania state parks, boosting a variety of levels of hiking trails. Hunting is permitted in designated areas.

For location, please click here.

From the Pennsylvania Game Commission –

“State Game Lands No. 211 consists of 43,970.98 acres, located in Dauphin, Lebanon, and Schuylkill Counties. The terrain runs along the ridge lines and is wooded, covering portions of Fishing, Stony, and Clark Creek Drainages. The tract has an abandoned railroad bed that traverses the entire Game Lands from east to west in the Stony valley. The railroad bed as well as the Appalachian and Horse-Shoe Trails provide excellent opportunities for hiking and other outdoor activities. Primary game species are deer, squirrel, grouse, and turkey.”

For parking and other information, check out this online map created by the Game Commission.

*Special Note Regarding Visiting PA Game Lands and Wearing Orange*

According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, it is unlawful to be present on State game lands from November 15 through December 15 inclusive when not engaged in lawful hunting or trapping and fail to wear a minimum of 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange-colored material on the head, chest and back combined or, in lieu thereof, a hat of the same colored material. The material shall be worn so it is visible in a 360° arc.

Persons using shooting ranges are exempted from this requirement.

For additional information, please click here.

From the Pennsylvania Game Commission –

“Rifle shooting only. 7 firing points at 25, 50, and 100 yards. Required – either an annual range use permit or a current general hunting or furtaker license. Each licensed hunter or range permit holder may have one guest.”

For additional information, including shooting range regulations and prohibited acts, click here.

For location, please click here.

The famous, 2,000+ mile, Maine-to-Georgia trail passes through Middle Paxton Township!

For access points and parking information, please click here, here, or here.

Located at Fort Hunter Park and operated by the Fish & Boat Commission. Please obey all parking and safety signs