Samuel S. Lewis State Park
This 85-acre state park is dominated by Mt. Pisgah, an 885-foot high ridge that separates Kreutz Creek Valley and East Prospect Valley. The park landscape also consists of mowed grass fields on the northern and eastern park slopes, a pine plantation in the southern area and mature woods in the western section.
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Hiking - Picnicking - Kite Flying Picnicking: Picnic tables scattered throughout the park have easy access to a ball field and playground equipment. The park’s scenic backdrop also makes it a popular site for weddings, family reunions and other events. Hilltop Pavilion may be reserved up to 11 months in advance. If the Hilltop Pavilion is unreserved, it may be used for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact the park office for more information on planning a wedding or other event in the park.
Make a reservation. Kite Flying: The crest of Mt. Pisgah is an excellent area for kite flying. Local groups and individuals gather to show their skills and offer help to novice kite fliers. Stargazing: On clear nights, local organizations hold star gazing events at the park so the public can enjoy Mt. Pisgah’s uninterrupted view of the stars. Check the park calendar of events online for program dates and times. Hiking: 2 miles of trails Located behind the park’s office, the one-mile Back Trail loops through a diverse hardwood forest. Access for People with Disabilities
In an EmergencyContact a park employee or dial 911. Nearest Hospital Scenic ViewThe 885-foot high Mt. Pisgah is the highest point in the area and offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Susquehanna River and the towns and fertile farmlands that it borders. A wayside panel is on the summit of Mt. Pisgah near Pavilion C and identifies various points of interest along the river valley. Coin-operated binoculars are available. Mt. Pisgah offers an uninterrupted view of the stars. Local clubs and organizations frequently hold star gazing events for the public. The natural and scenic backdrop provides a popular site for weddings. Contact the park office for more information on planning a wedding in the park. George E. Stine ArboretumThis arboretum was created before the land became a state park. European beech, persimmon, concolor fir, English yew and several other unique species still remain. A few of these trees are identified with metal plaques. The Arboretum has been severely damaged by storms and high winds. The park plans to plant new trees in the arboretum. The ParkSamuel S. Lewis State Park was named to honor the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Forest and Waters from 1951-1954. Samuel S. Lewis donated 35 acres of his farm to the Commonwealth in 1954. Lewis convinced Walter Stine to sell his arboretum to the Commonwealth for a reasonable price. The Commonwealth then purchased an additional 35 acres of the adjacent Almoney Farm to complete the initial park tract. The park opened to the public on July 4, 1954. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources purchased an additional 14 acres of land in 1999. Samuel S. Lewis1874 - 1959 This unassuming, jovial, analytical man held several cabinet-level positions to several governors, most notably as Secretary of Highways to Governor Gifford Pinchot during Pinchot’s ambitious road-paving program to “get the farmer out of the mud.” Samuel Lewis was the lieutenant governor to Arthur H. James from 1939 to 1943. Lewis was the postmaster general of York and rejuvenated the York Fair. In 1951, Lewis was appointed the Secretary of the Department of Forests and Waters and oversaw all state parks and forests. In two years, Lewis reorganized and streamlined the department. "Sam Lewis was the best man I ever worked under. He was a genius at deciding what was good for the public and getting it done quickly. He had the administrative tools to get anything done." Joe Ibberson, retired division chief, Bureau of Forestry Keep in TouchAdd yourself to the DCNR's online community to receive info on this park, or parks in general. Volunteering
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Make a DonationTo a park - find this park's address below To a park or the Bureau of State Parks - Pennsylvania Parks and Forestry Foundation www.paparksandforests.org Through a purchase at a park gift shop Thank you for your support! Education ProgramsWe love when young people ask us how to get involved!
In Watershed Education, teachers and students assess water quality of a local stream on a quarterly basis and develop strategies to solve local water quality problems. ECO Camp - Exploring Careers Outdoors - is a week-long residential camp for a cross-section of high school youth from across Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Participate in action-packed, hands on activities and recreational adventures in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests that expose youth to conservation, recreation and careers in natural resources. Learn how people make a living working in the outdoors. Explore education for more information on these and other programs. Explore the Calendar of Events to find a program near you. iConservePA
Come Work with UsPennsylvania State Parks and the Department of Conservation and Natrual Resources offer a wide range of civil service and non-civil service jobs, from foresters, to rangers, to engineers, to educators, to botanists and so much more. Learn what is currently available. Tell us What You ThinkContact this park with compliments, concerns and issues about the park. Samuel S. Lewis State Park Nearby AttractionsInformation on nearby attractions is available from the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau. www.yorkpa.org Nearby are the picturesque Pennsylvania Amish and Mennonite farms of Lancaster County and the historic city of York, one the early capitals of the United States. Maps and Downloadables
You must have the free Adobe Reader to view the maps and brochures that are in pdf format (.pdf). Alternate versions of the text of the brochures are in rich text and text formats. Click on the files to view them. To download (.rtf) files: Recreational GuideSamuel S. Lewis State Park Map (.pdf) (265 kb, 9/11) Interactive GIS MapThe interactive map uses Geographic Information Systems to create a map that does not need to be downloaded and features driving directions, searchable park amenities and customizable maps. Please note that the background maps are maintained by a variety of public sources.  Samuel S. Lewis State Park is in southcentral Pennsylvania, York County, and is about 12 miles east of York, Pennsylvania. From the Wrightsville exit of US 30 follow Cool Creek Road south about 1.5-miles to Mt. Pisgah Road and the park. Driving Directions: The Interactive GIS Map has turn-by-turn driving directions to the park office from the Park information Window. Samuel S. Lewis State Park
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Believing that each generation is responsible for leaving behind a better legacy of good conservation, the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) was created in 1999 to give supporters and users of Pennsylvania's parks and forests a positive way to contribute to the conservation of our publicly-owned properties. The Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation welcomes the support of individuals and businesses who share a commitment to conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural, scenic, and recreational areas of this commonwealth. 
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