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The LeTort Spring Run is named after James LeTort, a French-Swiss trader who settled near the headwaters of the stream in the early 18th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries, numerous mills and tanneries were located along the stream's banks. Later, the stream became internationally known for cold-water fly-fishing.
Fishing: A popular fly fishing destination, LeTort Spring Run is one of the finest limestone trout streams in the nation, known for large wild browns that are particularly wily. This iconic stream was also the first stream featured on the companion TV series to the book Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die. Hosted by Conway Bowman, you can watch the episode here.
There is a handicapped accessible fishing platform at LeTort Park.
Hiking, Biking and Cross-Country Skiing: LeTort Spring Run Nature Trail is a two-mile out-and-back trail that runs alongside LeTort Spring Run through a mixture of deciduous trees and lowland marshes (except for a short portion of the trail that travels along South Bedford Street.) The trail is an easy hike on 6-foot-wide crushed stone path. There are two entrances to the trail and both are easily accessible. The first is in LeTort Park and the second is at Bonny Brook Road Bridge in South Middleton Township.
Keep an eye out for interpretive signage along the trail highlighting the namesake of the LeTort, steam-based industries along the trail, the South Mountain Railroad and historic architecture. Read more about other hiking and history locations in Cumberland Valley.
Letort Trail Extension Update (10/9/20)
South Middleton Township was awarded a $30,000 grant through the Cumberland County Land Partnership program to help fund a 1-mile extension of the Letort Nature Trail. The new trail will extend from the current Letort Trail terminus at the Watercress Beds on S. Spring Garden Street south to Heisers Lane.While much of the trail has been cleared and appears open, there are some remaining legal and technical matters that still need to be addressed before it can be officially opened to the public. So, we ask that everyone please refrain from entering the trail extension until it is officially open, hopefully in the next few months.Birding: The variety of habitats found along the two-mile stream-side trail offer excellent bird watching. Songbirds such as Common Yellowthroats and Carolina Wrens, flit among the trees while fishing birds, such as Belted Kingfishers and Great Blue Herons, hunt the steam. Watch for various sparrows, woodpeckers, and hawk species. Read more about other bird watching hotspots throughout Cumberland Valley.
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amenities
Information
- Hours: Dawn to Dusk
- Months Open: Open year-round
- Notes: Restrooms (in LeTort Park)
Quick Check
- Handicapped Accessible:
- Pets Allowed:
Amenities
- Restrooms:
Fishing
- Catch n' Release:
- Fishing:
- Fly Fishing:
- Wild Trout:
Land Recreation
- Any Length Trail:
- Biking Trails:
- Bird Watching:
- Cross-Country Skiing:
- Hiking Trails:
- Miles of Trails: 2
- Number of Trails: 1
- Picnic Area/Pavilions:
- Trail Length < 5 Miles:
Water Recreation
- Stream Access:
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