Heritage Rail Trail County
Park
York
County Heritage Rail Trail is one of eight county parks within the York
County Department of Parks and Recreation. Winding through the very heart of
York County, this trail extend over twenty miles, connecting Maryland’s
Northern Central Railroad Trail with the historic district of York, PA.
The trail is a 10 foot wide,
compacted, crushed stone surface designed for hiking, bicycling, running,
horseback riding as well as winter sports such as cross-country skiing and
snow shoeing. Adjacent to the trail is an active rail line, the Northern
Central Railway.
The park is open year round, 8
am until dusk, and is patrolled by York County Parks Rangers. Park
regulations are posted at each parking lot. To make your visit a safer and
more pleasant one, we ask that you observe these park regulations:
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Alcoholic beverages,
camping, fires, and weapons are prohibited.
-
Pets are permitted on the
trail, but they must be kept on a leash. Please clean-up after your
pets.
-
Motorized vehicles are
prohibited on the trail except for the use of emergency and maintenance
vehicles.
-
York County Parks maintains
a “Carry In, Carry Out” policy with respect to trash. Please take
home what you bring.
-
Users must stay on the
trail, as property adjacent to the trail is privately owned.
-
The railway is operational.
Stay clear of the tracks at all times, and cross only at established
crossings.
-
In case of an emergency, or
to contact a Ranger dial 911.
-
Respect the right of way of
other users. Use this chart as a reminder of trail courtesy:
History
of the Rail Trail
For
134 years, from 1838 to 1972, the Northern Central Railroad connected
Baltimore, MD with York, PA and points north, encouraging growth of small
communities such as New Freedom, Glenrock and Seven Valleys. It
was originally chartered as the Baltimore and Susquehanna Rail Road, then
the Northern Central Rail Road, later as the Pennsylvania Rail Road and
finally as the Penn Central Rail Road.
The historic railroad stations
in New Freedom and Hanover Junction serve today as reminders of several
noteworthy Civil War Events, including a stop over by Abraham Lincoln at
Hanover Junction Railroad Station on his way to delivery his famous
Gettysburg Address.
Following the declared
bankruptcy of the Penn Central Railroad in 1970 and the major destruction of
the rail line in 1972 by Hurricane Agnes, the County of York purchased the
rail corridor in 1990 through a special agreement the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation and formed the York County Rail Trail
Authority. This board of nine volunteers, supported by extraordinary
volunteer offer throughout the County of York, have converted this rail
corridor into a unique recreation asset.
Trail
Features
Although the grade throughout
the trail is reasonably level, New Freedom is the high point of elevation.
Users traveling north from New Freedom will experience a slight downhill.
Facilities on the trail include
benches, occasional picnic tables, and portable restrooms. The trail and
restrooms are ADA accessible. Communities along the trail offer more
extensive facilities.
Sections of the trail are
adjacent to the south branch of the Codorus Creek, a cold-water trout
stream. The trail features two historic train stations, New Freedom and
Hanover Junction Train Stations, and the Howard Tunnel, the oldest
operational tunnel in the nation.
Directions
to Parking Lots
York City (From North):
From
I-83 use exit 10 (N. George Street). Follow N. George or Business I-83 south
for approximately 3 miles to W. Philadelphia Street. Turn right on W.
Philadelphia Street. Follow 3 blocks to Pershing Ave. Follow to parking
area.
York City (From South):
From I-83 use exit # 5 (Business I-83 or S. George Street). Follow north
approximately 3 miles to West Princess Street. Turn left on W.
Princess street and follow 2 blocks to Pershing Avenue. Turn right on
Pershing Avenue and follow 3 blocks to parking area.
York City (From East):
PA Route 30 to North George Street (just after passing under I83). Left on
North George, travel about one mile to West Philadelphia St. Travel 2
blocks to Pershing Avenue - left on Pershing and you're at the trail head.
York City (From West):
PA Route 30 to route 462 (stay straight on 462 when 30 exits to right).
Follow 462 approximately 4 miles to downtown York. Just after crossing
Codorus creek, left on Pershing Avenue and you're at the trail head.
Hanover Junction:
Interstate 83 to the Loganville Exit. #3. Follow signs to 214. Take 214
West. Continue on 214 West for approximately 5 miles to 616 South. Follow
616 South. Rail/Trail parking lot is approximately 1 mile on the left.
Alternate Route: Take Route 30 to 616 S. Hanover Junction is approx. 6 1/2
miles on the left.
Glen Rock:
Interstate 83 to Glen Rock Exit #2. Follow 216 West for approx. 4 1/2
miles to Glen Rock. Right onto Water St. Cross railroad tracks and turn
right to follow tracks for approx. 1/10 mile to Rail/Trail parking lot
Railroad:
Interstate 83 to Shrewsbury Exit #1. West on 851. Rail/Trail parking lot
is about 2 miles on the right.
New Freedom:
Interstate 83.to Shrewsbury Exit #1. West on 851 to Railroad
Borough. Left onto West 851. 1 1/2 miles to New Freedom Borough. Rail/Trail
parking lot at Front and Franklin Streets. (at the old train station).
Distances
The trail has two distinct
styles of milepost markers: large white posts with black lettering are
historical markers Used by the Northern Central Railroad, and more numerous
green posts with white lettering. These posts indicate actual mileage from
the origin of the Northern Central Railroad, the Baltimore, MD station.
