Gifford Pinchot State Park Review with Kids
Kristina
—Aug 15, 2024
Gifford Pinchot State Park is located in northern York County just outside of Harrisburg. It is a popular place to fish, hike or spend some time out on a boat. It also features a disc golf course and horseback riding trails. The park has a lot to offer families visiting, especially if you live nearby.
I had a great time here with my three kids, husband and brother in law staying in a modern cabin, but I will admit it isn’t my favorite PA State Park and not one we plan on visiting again. The beach area isn’t as pristine as other state parks, lots of geese visit the beach and leave their mark. However, the park land around the beach is gorgeous and family friendly.
With that being said my kids didn’t seem to be bothered by it and had a great time at the beach area trying to “catch fish with their hands”. Standing in the water you can look down and see the fish swimming around you and this was a main attraction for my 5 year old.
This park does a great job of offering many free activities to take part in when staying at the park or if you are visiting for the day. The activities change each week and I would suggest you check out the website ahead of time or stop in at the park office to see the schedule. Options when we were there were scavenger hunts, guided hikes and a woodpecker wander.
In this Article:
Facts about Gifford Pinchot State Park
Size: 2,338 Acres
Swim Options: Beach Area
Beach Concession: Summer Season only
Playground: Yes
Hiking: 18 miles of trails
Where to Stay at Gifford Pinchot State Park
Gifford Pinchot State Park has several different options to stay overnight. It has one of the largest campsites in Pennsylvania with 289 different camping spots, ranging from some of which are designed for full RV hookups (electric, sewer and water) to basic tent sites. There are shower houses for the toilet and warm showers.
Pets are allowed on some campsites, however we didn’t bring our dog on this trip.
Besides camping Gifford Pinchot offers 10 modern cabins, 3 camping cottages and 2 yurts. The modern cabins feature their own restroom and running water while the other two options have restrooms close by for use.
This was our first time trying out the modern cabins in the Pennsylvania state parks and I was pleasantly surprised. The prices were more than the rustic cabins I stayed in at Worlds End, Tuscarora, Ohiopyle and Ricketts Glen State Parks, but they were still reasonable and cheaper than hotel costs with the perk of staying in a state park surrounded by nature.
Modern Cabin Experience at Gifford Pinchot State Park with Kids
As mentioned this is the first time I stayed in the modern cabin option at PA state parks. I was pleasantly surprised by the look and feel of the cabin. The cabin had two bedrooms, one bedroom with two bunk beds and one bedroom with a double bed. There was a bathroom with a shower, a kitchen and sitting area.
The cabin had air conditioning, something I haven’t gotten before, as well as a sink in the kitchen with running water. This made the trip feel less like camping and more like renting an Airbnb, but out in nature.
The cabin had a covered porch with a picnic table and a fire pit. Every night we sat around the fire pit and roasted hot dogs and S’mores and enjoyed ourselves. When dinner was done it was easy to clean up and get the kids ready for bed. The running water makes it much easier to stay in the park when traveling with kids.
Packing for Gifford Pinchot State Park
This will depend on what type of camping you are planning to do; tent camping, bringing your RV or staying in the park cabins.
For tent camping with young kids check out Best Toddler Camping Gear and Checklist.
What to Pack to Stay in the Cabins
None of the cabins, including modern cabins, are stocked with linens or cookware so you will need to plan all the basics.
- Cookware: A Camping cookware set is what I bring and it works great
- Plates and silverware: plastic sets work great
- Sheets and Pillows: cabins come bare
- Aeropress and camping mugs: my preferred coffee making equipment when camping
- Camping Chairs: lightweight chairs I find best because they work hiking, camping or when your short on space!
- Basin, Soap and Dish Towels: allows for easy ability to wash up dishes
- Towels: for showers and after swimming in swimming hole and creek
- Kids Camping Journal: interactive journal to keep your child engaged and give them the ability to record their stay
- Hammock: nice space to relax outside
Hiking Gear
Hiking is an option at Gifford Pinchot State Park and there are trails you can access right from the modern cabins or camp sites, but there are others you can drive to depending on where you want to hike and where you are staying. Check out hiking with babies or hiking with toddlers for a complete guide on hiking with children.
The basic hiking gear to bring are:
- Hiking Backpack: I use Kelty PerfectFIt carrier for my kids 4 and under. For more carrier information check Best Back Carrier for Toddler
- Kids hiking shoes: Summer time I have all my kids hike in Keen Newport H2 sandals. These are perfect for all types of hiking and allows my kids to get their feet wet or cross through streams and jump on rocks without worry. I also have a pair of Keen sandals for summer hiking. In other seasons I have my kids in hiking shoes.
- Bug Spray and Sunscreen
- Water and Snacks: Kids can’t go anywhere without getting hungry, at least my three kids can’t. Best Toddler Water Bottle will help you select the best water bottle for your young explorer.
- Kid’s hiking journal: Allows my kids to engage in the hike more by looking for animals and certain trees and a place for them to capture their impression of the hike with nature drawings and spaces to jot down notes.
Water Gear
Gifford Pinchot State Park has a beach area where the kids can go swimming. Rangers test the water frequently and sometimes the beach is closed due to water quality. Check the state website before your travel to see if the beach is open for your trip.
If the beach is open plan on bringing swim suits, water sandals (like Keen Newport H2 sandals which are also great for hiking), swim vest if you have toddlers who don't know how to swim yet, and swimming towels.
Additional Items when Camping with Kids
- Bikes: This park has a lot of mountain biking trails that are awesome. If your kid knows how to ride a bike bring it along. My younger two (ages 2 and 4) rode Strider Bikes, 12x Sport and 14x with peddle conversion. My 5 year old is riding a Belsize 16x that I highly recommend.
- Kids Camera: Kids love to copy what adults do and on trips I take a lot of pictures. My children also love to document their adventures in their own way.
- Yoto Mini Player: Our family last year started using the Yoto Player for trips and it is a game changer. The kids love to sit around and listen to the stories, either having down time at the campsite or to and from the drive there.
Read 24 Camping Toys for Toddlers if you want some more ideas!
What To Do At Gifford Pinchot State Park with Kids
The top things to do with kids are:
- Swim and use playground at Gifford Pinchot State Park Beach
- Rent a Boat to canoe or kayak around Pinchot Lake
- Hike the Trails: Lakeside Trail our favorite with kids
- Go Fishing
- Try out the Disc Golf Course
- Go back in time and get ice cream at Forry’s Drive-In
Beach area of Gifford Pinchot State Park
The beach area is not like a typical sand lake beach, but rather park land that butts up to water. The park ground is nicely kept, with a playground, grills and plenty of picnic tables to set up at.
There is a large facility building for a restroom room, changing area and a snack pavilion. The snack stand is only open in the summer months. When we were visiting the area was under construction, they were updating it to include more eco friendly features like solar panels and charging stations.
My kids had a great time at the playground and enjoyed trying to fish with their hands in the water. I didn’t love the sand beach area for two reasons. The first is It was very small, only a sliver of sand before the water and the second reason is that it had too much goose poop you had to step over. My kids didn’t mind, but it did put me off.
If you are camping there is a nicer beach area with sand close to the campgrounds. I won’t say it is free of goose poop, but much better and has a lot more sand.
Boat Rentals on Lake Pinchot
The large lake gave us the opportunity to rent a boat of our choosing, a kayak, row or paddle boat. We chose a kayak and a rowboat, since we had such a large group, 3 adults and 3 kids.
It was nice to get out on the lake and for us adults it was challenging to steer a rowboat! The rental charges per hour so we only paid for an hour thinking that if it went well we could stay out longer and pay the difference at our return. Unfortunately, our youngest, a newly 2 year old, wasn’t loving the water so we only stayed out for the hour with her.
The boat rental has all different sized life jacket so do not worry if you didn't bring your own.
Hiking Trails at Gifford Pinchot State Park with Kids
The park has a great network of trails that are well suited to little people. Right outside our modern cabin was the Lakeside Trail that took us along the lake to the beach area, a little less than a mile. My kids were happy to hike this trail, or bike a couple times, to get to the water and playground.
You could have also continued that trail around the whole lake. A couple mornings this was the trail I used to go for a run and found the trail easy to run on.
On the other side of the lake from the modern cabins is where the campground is and and there are more hiking trails. Most of the trails on this side are mountain bike friendly and my kids were happy to take a ride on the terrain.
This park is fun to hike and use kids bikes to try out riding on trails, but not my favorite hiking in state parks. I was content hiking these trails for a couple of days, but would struggle to stay a full week.
Go Fishing
Every day we walked past people fishing on the piers or boats around the lake. I have never fished before and my children have only fished with grandparents, but it seems if you are a family that likes fishing this could be a good spot for it.
Although we aren’t fishers my sons had no trouble getting in the spirit and trying to catch one bare handed. They would stand very still in the water until they saw a fish and quickly tried to grab one. The waters were covered in fish, however my sons were unsuccessful.
Try out the Disc Golf Course
I once would have thought disc golf would definitely not be an activity we partake in as a family, but never say never. My brother started playing several years back and got my husband and kids into it. Now, although I don't love the sport, I find it a fun activity to do as a family.
I mean it is sort of like hiking. You get to walk through beautiful combed park land. It is just you throw a disc around as you do so. It is a great way to get the kids energy out and partake in something as a family.
You only need a couple starter discs to start and it is free to play at most courses.
Travel Back in Time and Enjoy Ice-Cream at Forry’s Drive In
On the south side of the park just outside is Forry’s Drive In, a classic 1950’s style ice cream and quick food option. It is located on a hill with a great view of the surrounding area with an old tractor for the kids to hop up on.
The ice cream is soft serve with some mix in, but affordable and large portions. No one in our party finished our ice-creams, and not for lack of wanting to.
Family Friendly Places Around Gifford Pinchot State Park
On the south side of the park on Carlisle Road is the Pinchot General Store. This was a great location if you needed anything for your trip, they had a little bit of everything. I needed marshmallows, bug spray and milk and that wasn’t a problem.
Next to the General Store is an Italian restaurant, a great choice if you wanted to go out for a meal while staying at the park, or get pizza to take back to your campsite or cabin.
Finally if you are looking for more breakfast or lunch you could try Ray’s, it is located catty corner to the General Store.
Final Thoughts on Gifford Pinchot State Park with Kids
This park wasn’t my favorite state park to visit, mainly due to being disappointed by the lack of sand beach and goose poop. Putting that aside, my kids had a great time and I enjoyed the modern cabins and free programs the park offered.
If you are local to the area it is worth it to check out the park with kids, but plan on spending less time at the beach and more time either fishing, disc golf, hiking or trying out the kids bikes on the trails.
I would recommend only staying a couple days at this state park, perhaps a weekend. If you have longer to spend I would recommend checking out some of the other state parks in PA.