Big Spring State Park

Tucked in the side of Conococheague Mountain, Big Spring State Park is a quaint picnic and hiking area. A short loop trail leads to a partially completed railroad tunnel with historic interpretation at the trailhead. The park also provides access to the Iron Horse Trail for day and overnight hiking. The park takes its name from nearby Big Spring, whose waters form the scenic Shermans Creek.

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Park Advisories

Directions

The 45-acre Big Spring State Park is 5.5 miles southwest of New Germantown, Perry County, along PA 274.

Recreational Opportunities

Picnicking: The picnic tables and picnic pavilions throughout the park are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Camping: While no camping is permitted in Big Spring State Park, public camping is permitted at the nearby Fowlers Hollow State Park.

Hiking: 1 mile of trails
A short loop trail leads to the site of the partially completed railroad tunnel. Historic interpretation is provided at the trailhead. The park provides access to the Iron Horse Trail, designed for day hikes and overnight hiking in Tuscarora State Forest.

Snowmobiling: Big Spring State Park serves as a trailhead providing parking, restrooms and access to the extensive snowmobile trail system in Tuscarora State Forest.

Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

History

In the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, logging companies lumbered the area. Trees were hauled from the stump to the mill on the Perry Lumber Railroad. This narrow gauge railroad had a terminus at the east end of the park. The trees were cut to supply tanneries, barrel manufacturers and charcoal furnaces. A tannery near the spring operated from early in the 1800s until 1860. In 1871, an axe handle factory was started in the old tannery.

The Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad laid tracks through the park to link to the Path Valley Railroad in Franklin County. Their tunnel through Conococheague Mountain failed and the Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad went out of business.

During the early 1900s, the area was a community picnic area accessible by road and railroad. The Commonwealth developed the current facility in 1936 with Civilian Conservation Corps Camp S-111.

For more information on the CCC, visit the Civilian Conservation Corps Online Archive.

Nearby Attractions

For more information on nearby attractions, contact: Pennsylvanias Capital Region Vacation Bureau, 800-995-0969, www.pacapitalregions.com.

Colonel Denning State Park: This quaint park offers camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, picnicking, hunting, cross-country skiing and ice skating and is in the scenic Doubling Gap along PA 233.

Tuscarora State Forest: The 90,968-acre forest is open to hunting, fishing and general recreation. Four miles east of the park is the Hemlocks State Forest Natural Area. This old growth stand of our state tree is magnificent. The National Park Service designated the Hemlocks area as a National Natural Landmark in 1973. 717-536-3191

In an Emergency

Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.

Nearest Hospital:
Carlisle Regional Medical Center
361 Alexander Spring Road
Carlisle, PA 17015
717-249-1212

For More Information Contact

Big Spring State Park
c/o Forest District # 3
RR 1, Box 486
Blain, PA 17006
717-536-3191
e-mail: fd03@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.