One of my favorite parts about hiking is talking to other hikers! A few weeks ago, while wrapping…read moreup a different trail, another hiker asked where else I liked to hike. When I admitted I'd never been to Opossum Lake, she looked at me like I was missing out and told me I needed to check it out. Well...challenge accepted! When I got home, I looked it up and discovered it was only about 25 minutes from my house. Somehow, yet again, I had managed to overlook another great outdoor spot practically in my own backyard. A beautiful four-mile trail around a lake? Count me in! I headed out early on a mid-July Sunday morning, hoping to beat both the heat and the crowds. GPS brought me right to the parking area without any trouble, and even though there were already quite a few people there fishing, I had no problem finding a parking spot. The trail itself was fantastic! One of the things I appreciated most was how much the terrain changed throughout the loop. Parts of the trail were covered with crushed stone, others with pine needles, tanbark or natural dirt. It kept the hike interesting without ever becoming difficult. The entire four-mile loop is well-marked, easy to follow and beautifully shaded, making it an excellent summer hike even when temperatures start creeping up. The recent rain left a few muddy spots along the trail, but nothing that slowed me down. PRO TIP: If you're hiking after a rainstorm, use a little extra caution on the wooden footbridges. They can get a bit slick. The trail offered plenty to see along the way. I spotted birds, turtles and beautiful views across the lake and I found myself stopping more than once simply to enjoy the peaceful scenery. One unexpected highlight came when I crossed the spillway bridge. The interpretive signs explaining the history of the dam, the high-water markers and why the bridge was built so high above the creek added a neat educational element to the hike that I wasn't expecting. I always appreciate when a place teaches me something while I'm out exploring. Beyond hiking, it's easy to see why Opossum Lake has become such a popular recreation area. Throughout my visit I saw anglers casting from the shoreline, boats out enjoying the water and families making use of the many picnic areas scattered around the lake. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, paddle or simply enjoy a peaceful picnic, there's plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the scenery. I can already tell Opossum Lake is going to earn a permanent spot on my short list of local hikes. It's close to home. It's easy enough to enjoy without needing to mentally prepare for a mountain expedition. And it's beautiful enough that it never feels like "just another walk." Sometimes you want a huge adventure. Sometimes you just want to lace up your hiking boots, get a few peaceful miles under your belt and spend some time outside. Opossum Lake is absolutely perfect for those days!

'Possum Lake is a great place to go for a quick hike or paddle. My favorite thing is to hike…read morearound the lake in the evening then head out in the kayak. The distance around the lake is, I think, about 3 or 3 1/2 miles and there are some small hills, steps, and mostly dirt or pine-needle-covered terrain. In terms of kayaking, I can paddle around all areas in about an hour. It's a convenient, easy-to-get-to location and it's open until 10pm.

This is a park with a little something for everyone. You pass tennis courts as you make your way…read moreinto the park which is nice. There's also a baseball field, pavilion with lots of tables, and plenty of open grass/ field. There are also two separate playground areas, one for ages 2-5 and then another for 6-12. If you're there during peak times on a Saturday the amount of children/ tweens and parents there can feel a bit overwhelming. So I would advise trying to avoid peak times on a Saturday. Sundays seem a little more calm. There are so many cool features at this playground your child will definitely have fun and wear themselves out! There's also a waterway/ creek that has ducks in it frequently and what appears to be a path/walkway/ walking trail. This park has everything you need for a day or afternoon at the park!

Awesome place! Id love to visit again haha the kids LOVED IT! Charles almost fell in though....stay…read moresafe!

Beautiful park we stumbled upon on the way to the nearby train station. It's actually within…read morewalking distance to the train station. Grandkids were overwhelmed with what to climb and play on first as there was so much to see and do! The main play structure is massive and has tons of activities for all ages/climb & play levels. I especially liked the "stone cave" with a panther on top, it made for a cute photo opp. My youngest, a train fanatic, loved the train playset. For me, the tandum swing was my favorite. No need to push when you can put your little one in a safety seat in front of you and your swinging action moves both swings. It was genius and something I've never seen before. The grounds were well maintained, with lots of grassy area to run, as well as benches and a pavilion. Although it's a bit of a drive for us I do plan on returning.

Beautiful park that sits along the Swatara Creek. Pavilion areas and a few charcoal grilling areas…read more The new kids playground is amazing. There are basketball, tennis and sand volleyball areas but they all could use some upgrades. Overall a great community park.

I recently discovered LeTort Spring Run and Nature Trail, and honestly, I'm still annoyed with…read moremyself for not knowing it existed sooner. I've lived in Central PA nearly my entire life--and even in Carlisle--and somehow this peaceful little gem flew completely under my radar until it popped up on social media a few weeks ago. Once I realized it was only about a 20-minute drive from my house, it immediately earned a spot on my must-visit list. Naturally, I wasted no time--early the very next Sunday morning, LeTort was my destination. According to LeTort's website (and because I love a little history with my walks): the trail is named after James LeTort, a French-Swiss trader who settled near the stream in the early 1700s. The area once hosted mills and tanneries and later became internationally known for cold-water fly fishing. Today, LeTort is famous for its limestone trout stream, bird watching, and a 2.5-mile out-and-back trail that's wide, flat, and easy to navigate. There are multiple access points, ADA-accessible fishing platforms, interpretive signage, and plenty of opportunities to feel outdoorsy without having to scale a boulder or question your life choices. I parked in the newly developed lot on South Spring Garden Street and was thrilled to find...absolutely no one else there! Sunday morning hikes are sacred to me--they're about quiet, reflection, and resetting my brain for the week ahead--so having the entire place to myself felt like winning the nature lottery. The sun was just coming up, casting that soft, golden morning light that makes everything feel calm and slightly magical. I specifically chose LeTort because it promised well-maintained, ADA-accessible paths, as opposed to my usual "billy-goating through the woods" adventures involving rocks, roots, and questionable footing. This particular Sunday, my brain was heavy and my soul needed something gentle. LeTort absolutely delivered. I didn't pass another human the entire time I was there (10/10 experience for me), but it's clear this trail would be perfect for folks with strollers, dogs, or mobility aids. The paths are wide, flat, and beautifully maintained, with lovely views along the stream. Wildlife was very much awake and active--squirrels were busy being chaotic, birds were everywhere, and a few mallard ducks were enjoying their best peaceful-morning lives. My two favorite moments from this visit really stood out. First was the view from a bridge near Bonny Brook Road, where I stopped to watch ducks gliding through the creek while squirrels chased each other across fallen trees spanning the water. It was serene, peaceful, and exactly the kind of quiet beauty I needed. The second moment surprised me: a Sharpie-marked message on a wooden signpost that read, "ALWAYS HAVE HOPE." I'm not usually a fan of graffiti, but that message hit me square in the feelings that morning and felt oddly meant just for me. Sometimes the universe shows up in weird ways--even via Sharpie. LeTort Spring Run is a solid choice for a low-impact, easy walk when you want fresh air without breaking a sweat or navigating rugged terrain. There's plenty of parking, plenty of space to move comfortably, and plenty of beauty if you're paying attention. It may not land on my frequent-visit list, but I'll absolutely keep it in mind as a future picnic spot once spring and summer roll around. Sometimes the best adventures are the quiet ones--and LeTort is a really lovely place to slow down, breathe, and just be.

This is a rather easy and underwhelming bike trail, but an OK one for walking/jogging. The reason…read moreis it's only 1.7 miles long. The trail is narrower than a typical rail trail and is paved with crushed stones. Best parking for the trailhead is at the Lamberton Middle School. In the visitor parking just head toward the building and veer to the left and you will see the trailhead. At the end of the trail at S Spring Garden St, there's a posted sign announcing the extension of the trail all the way to Heisters Lane and is expected to be completed in July of 2021. That would add at least .9 miles to the trail, making it more presentable and worth while to visit. Officially the trail starts from LeTort Park which adds .3 mile to the length, but that would include 3 blocks of street biking interconnecting the 2 segments. By the way, LeTort Park has a nice setting for duck and goose watching if you're into that sort of thing.

I spent the afternoon at the beach area. There were a decent number of people but it wasn't too…read morecrowded. There are a bunch of Adirondack chairs and a small bathroom area. Overall it was a great place to spend a hot Sunday.

We were here for the Flat Rock Trail which is listed among the top 10 hikes in Cumberland County,…read moreand is featured on PABucketList.com blog. After a quick stop at the ranger's office for the map and information, we went straight to use the restrooms and at the same time check out the surroundings around Doubling Gap Lake. There is an easy 1 mile nature trail along the lake as well as the moderate 1.2 mile Rattlesnake Trail on the foothill of the Blue Mountains, but we're here for the kill. We're deadset for the 180 degree vista view at the summit of the Flat Rock Trail. We knew it would be strenuous, so we paced ourselves. Trails are easily recognized and sufficiently blazed. There is a fork where you can either take the "Preferred" or the "Challenging" route. We took the latter. More than half of the 2.4 mile trail to the summit are rugged with sizable rocks, so a good pair of hiking boots and poles are highly desirable. It took us about 1 hour and 40 minutes to get to the summit. The view was amazing. There were also more than half a dozen buzzards gliding back and forth near the summit. We spent 30 minutes enjoying the view, snacking, and taking lots of pictures before we headed back down. It actually felt even more punishing on the way down because of the rocks, especially punishing on the toes. We took the "Preferred" trail on the way back which is almost a quarter mile longer. It took about the same amount of time on the return trip. We felt it on the legs the next morning, but it was a rewarding hike.

7/12/26 Always the perfect scenic stopover. The lake is nestled in the middle of historic downtown…read moreBoiling Springs. There are domestic geese, Canada geese, mallards & 1 solitary swan that grace the lake & surrounding property. There's a walking path, boat launch (for canoes & kayaks) a gazebo & small parking lot w/additional parking available on the street adjacent to Boiling Springs pool.

There's a lot to explore along this tiny lake. There are memorials, paths, art, and places to fish…read more If you enjoy history, the lake has deep connections to the Underground Railroad.

A prominent amenity this park offers is the 9 hole disc golf course. And on the day of my last…read morevisit, there were several groups of people participating. There is a pavilion good for group picnic and organized activity. And a rather small 2-slide playground for kids. It's along side the Conodoguinet Creek and so fishing would be another possible activity. In fact, this was the place where I first tried fishing when I moved to PA. There is nice boat launch ramp but an overkill nevertheless because the creek being only 1-2 feet deep, only kayaks, canoes, and floats would be usable. Ambiance-wise, this park feels rather dumpy and disorganized -- maybe partly due to the landscape design. The road is also in desperate need for maintenance. Absolutely not a good place for hiking or even a short walk.

Wonderful large free outdoor space Soccer fields baseball diamond disc golf nature trail benches…read moregrass trees water wild life and pavilions love it.

Love it! Beautiful park with nature trails / paved walking trails, athletics complex & playgrounds…read more Volleyball Court, tennis court, ample parking. Great time for anyone with a family. There's a wall for soccer / lacrosse practice.