Please note: the placemark in the above map is at the confluence of the Conodoguinet Creek and the Susquehanna River.

40-miles long, class 1 stream, the trail begins near Carlisle at North MIddleton Park and ends at "The Point" in West Fairview, where the creek flows into the Susquehanna River.  Suitable for fishing and boating.  Also great for turtle hunting!  See the video here.

Click here to download the Conodoguinet Creek Map.

Click here to view real-time water levels.

This guide outlines two float trips:  One short route, labeled A-B, west of the Carlisle Dam, and a second extended route, labeled 1-17, east of the Carlisle Dam. There is no portage at the Carlisle Dam. Do not attempt to navigate over the dam!

WEST OF THE CARLISLE DAM

A - North Middleton Park

North Middleton Park is a 15-acre facility owned by North Middleton Township. The park provides opportunities for boating, fishing and picnicking, as well as baseball, basketball and volleyball. A playground and pavilion are also available. Ample parking and a paved launch ramp (unpowered boats only) allow for easy access to the creek.  This park is located off PA Route 74 (1700 Waggoner's Gap Road), approximately 3 miles north of Carlisle.  For more information, contact North Middleton Township at (717) 243-8550, or visit the township online at http://www.northmiddleton-township.org/

B - Cave Hill Nature Center (take-out only)

Cave Hill is a 20-acre nature area owned by Carlisle Borough. The park is located on Cave Hill Drive, off K Street. It offers walk-in creek access, hiking, fishing and an unpaved parking area. All boaters must take out at this site. Cave Hill is not a put-in point because it is just upstream from the Carlisle Raw Water Intake Dam. Do not attempt to navigate over the dam! For more information, contact Carlisle Borough at (717) 249-4422, or visit the borough online at http://www.carlislepa.org/

EAST OF THE CARLISLE DAM

1 - Creekview Park

Creekview Park is a neighborhood park located in North Middleton Township off Douglas Drive and Mary Lane. This 10-acre park offers walk-in creek access, fishing, a multipurpose field, playground equipment and a picnic pavilion. No off-street parking is available. For more information, contact North Middleton Township at (717) 243-8550, or visit the township online at www.northmiddleton-township.org.

2 - Letort Falls Park

This 2 acre park is located along North Middlesex Road and is currently undeveloped. Future improvements of the site may include parking and creek front access for fishing and boating. For more information, contact Middlesex Township at (717) 249-4409 or visit the township online at www.middlesextownship.com

3 - Scott Farm Work Center/Appalachian Trail

Scott Farm is a trailhead and work center for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. This site is located along Bernheisel Bridge Road and owned by the National Park Service. Creek access is permitted on the south side of the bridge. Parking is limited; users must contact the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to determine parking availability. Driving and parking on the grass are strictly prohibited. There are no sanitary facilities and users must pack out all trash. For more information, contact the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at (717) 258-5771, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

4 - Willow Mill Park

Willow Mill Park is an 18-acre municipal park owned by Silver Spring Township. The park is located on Willow Mill Park Road, off PA Route 114.  The park offers convenient canoe access to the creek, hiking, fishing, picnic pavilions and ample parking. Portable toilets are also available.

Houston Mill, located in Willow Mill Park, has been a local landmark since the late 1790s. The mill structure is named for James S. Houston, who owned and operated the gristmill from the 1880s through the early 20th century. Today, evidence of the mill race and interior machinery is gone, but the mill building survives as a reminder of past times. For more information, contact Silver Spring Township at (717) 766-0178.

5 - Fry Tract

The Fry Tract is a 9-acre park owned by Silver Spring Township, located off Millfording Road. The park offers convenient creek access, fishing, soccer fields, portable toilets and ample parking. The park also offers a walking path along the creek. For more information, contact Silver Spring Township at (717) 766-0178.

6 - Westover Commons Area

Westover Commons is a 10-acre passive park located in the Westover subdivision of Hampden Township. This area is completely undeveloped and provides a great area for walking along the creek, bird watching, bank fishing and other passive leisure uses. For more information, contact Hampden Township at (717) 761-4951, or visit the township online at http://www.twp.hampden.pa.us/

7 - Good Hope Access

Good Hope Access is owned and maintained by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. This access is located in Hampden Township off Sporting Hill Road. The site provides convenient creek access for boaters (no powerboats permitted). Shore fishing is permitted. Limited parking is available at the site. For information on other Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission facilities, visit http://www.fish.state.pa.us/

8 - Conodoguinet Youth Park

The Conodoguinet Youth Park is an 8-acre municipal park, owned by Hampden Township, located off Orrs Bridge Road. Even though this park has been in development since 1992 as a passive recreation area for use by organized groups, hikers and canoeist are always welcome without the need for reservations. Hampden Township and the Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club have worked cooperatively to plan, develop and construct the improvements in this creekside park. The park offers off-street parking, public restrooms, a picnic pavilion and a fishing dock. Picnic tables and fire rings are available and are among some of the Eagle Scout projects that have been completed at this site. Overnight camping is permitted by certain organized groups by reservation only.  For more information, contact Hampden Township at (717) 761-4951, or visit the township online at http://www.twp.hampden.pa.us/

9 - Acri Meadow Park

This site is a 4-acre municipal park owned by East Pennsboro Township. The park is located at Acri and Meadow roads. The park offers a launch ramp for unpowered boats, fishing, picnicking and a pavilion. Other available activities include baseball, basketball, volleyball and a playground.  For more information, contact East Pennsboro Township at (717) 732-0711, or visit the township online at http://www.eastpennsboro.net/

10 - Oyster Mill Park

Oyster Mill Park is a 1-acre park owned by East Pennsboro Township along Oyster Mill Road. It provides convenient creek access, picnicking and fishing. Limited parking is available.  For more information, contact East Pennsboro Township at (717) 732-0711, or visit the township online at http://www.eastpennsboro.net/

11 - Adams-Ricci Community Park

This 130-acre municipal park is owned by East Pennsboro Township. The park is located at Magaro Road and East Penn Drive. Adams-Ricci offers a variety of amenities including baseball, softball, basketball, tennis, playground equipment, volleyball, hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking and pavilion rentals. Recommended parking for creek access is near the West Enola Pavilion or the Keystone Pavilion. Walk-in access to the creek is provided via a steep nature trail.  For more information, contact East Pennsboro Township at (717) 732-0711, or visit the township online at http://www.eastpennsboro.net/

12 - Siebert Park

Siebert Park is a 60-acre municipal park owned by Camp Hill Borough. The park features an arboretum, pavilions, hiking and biking. It also offers a playground, basketball, tennis, an athletic field, a running track, a swimming pool and volleyball. Access to the creek and parking for boaters is provided along Creek Road at the lower end of the park.  For more information, contact Camp Hill Borough at (717) 737-3456, or visit the borough online at http://www.camphill-pa.org/

13 - Pine Hill Arboretum

Pine Hill is a 15-acre arboretum located in East Pennsboro Township. The arboretum extends from the bank of the Conodoguinet Creek across Creekside Drive and up the hill to Humer Street. This unique site provides opportunities for nature exploration, hiking, boating and fishing.  Access to the creek is by walk-in only.  Parking is limited to a small unpaved area along Creekside Drive.

Pine Hill was originally the summer home of local medical doctor Harvey B. Bashore. Dr. Bashore was a noted naturalist and wrote a number of books and articles on health, sanitation and local history. Following Bashore's death, the arboretum was deeded to the Harrisburg Natural History Society, where the property was used for meetings, picnics and field trips. Many species of wild flowers, trees and ferns as well as birds and mammals have been identified and documented at the arboretum. Tentatively, the Harrisburg Natural History Society will turn the property over to East Pennsboro Township so that the public can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Pine Hill. For more information, contact East Pennsboro Township at (717) 732-0711, or visit the township online at http://www.eastpennsboro.net/

14 - Ridley Park

This site is a 16-acre park owned by East Pennsboro Township. The facility is located at Erford and Matthew roads. Ridley Park provides creek access, hiking, fishing and a pavilion. Other available activities include baseball, basketball, volleyball and playground equipment. For more information, contact East Pennsboro Township at (717) 732-0711, or visit the township online at http://www.eastpennsboro.net/

15 - Rupley Park

Rupley Park is an 11-acre neighborhood park owned and maintained by Wormleysburg Borough. The entrance to the park is located along West Crestwood Drive. Facilities in Upper Rupley Park include playground equipment, picnic tables and a small pavilion. Lower Rupley Park is more primitive and provides opportunities for hiking, fishing and boating. Access to the creek is by walk-in only. No off-street parking is available. For more information, contact Wormleysburg Borough at (717) 763-4483, or visit the borough online at http://borough.wormleysburg.pa.us.

16 - West Fairview Park

West Fairview Park is a 24-acre municipal park owned by East Pennsboro Township. The entrance to the park is located at 4th and McCormick streets. Park amenities include a baseball field, basketball courts, playground equipment, picnic tables and opportunities for fishing, hiking and boating. Access to the creek is by walk-in only.

The remains of an old mill can be found at West Fairview Park. The Harrisburg Nail Works was erected on this site in 1810. At its height, the company produced 6,300 tons of nails annually. West Fairview Park still includes some of the arches and foundation of the old mill, which was dismantled in the early 1900s. For more information, contact East Pennsboro Township at (717) 732-0711, or visit the township online at http://www.eastpennsboro.net/

17 - West Fairview Point (take-out only)

Known by the locals as "The Point," this site provides a paved boat launch at the confluence of the Conodoguinet Creek and the Susquehanna River. The area is located at Front and South streets in West Fairview and is maintained by East Pennsboro Township. Portable toilets and picnic tables are provided, but parking is limited. For more information, contact East Pennsboro Township at (717) 732-0711, or visit the township online at http://www.eastpennsboro.net/