Susquehanna Trail Jct. East - Dauphin, PA
Susquehanna Trail Jct. East is a scenic dog park located along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Dauphin, PA. This pet-friendly hiking destination offers a mix of moderate to strenuous trails, including a 4.2-mile loop with steep climbs and rocky terrain, perfect for active dog owners looking for a rewarding outdoor workout. The park is well-suited for families and kids, making it a great spot for dog-friendly hiking adventures in Pennsylvania.
While the park is not wheelchair accessible, it features well-marked trails and beautiful views of the Susquehanna River from the mountain ridge. The area is popular among hikers and dog owners alike, providing a natural escape with plenty of opportunities for exercise and exploration. Whether you’re tackling the blue blaze shortcut or enjoying the loop back to Clark’s Ferry Park and Ride, this dog park in Dauphin, PA offers a unique blend of nature and convenience for pet lovers.
FAQ for Susquehanna Trail Jct. East in Dauphin Pennsylvania:
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? No, the entrance is not wheelchair accessible.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the area is good for kids and features kid-friendly hikes.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park is on the Appalachian Trail and offers hiking with strenuous and scenic routes, including a 4.2 mile loop with a 1200 ft climb and beautiful views of the Susquehanna River.
- Where is the best place to park? The Clark’s Ferry Park and Ride is a convenient starting point for accessing the trails at Susquehanna Trail Jct. East.
- How busy does the park get on weekends? The trail junction is described as busy, particularly with traffic building during peak hours, indicating it can get quite busy at times.
Reviews
The Susquehanna Trail Junction East is a busy but useful connection point for travelers moving through the region. It makes getting on and off the main roads much more convenient and helps tie the surrounding routes together.Traffic can build up at times, especially during peak hours, but overall the junction does its job in keeping vehicles moving. Signage is fairly clear, and once you’re familiar with the area, navigating it becomes much easier.It may not be perfect, but it’s an important part of the local roadway system and definitely makes traveling through this part of Pennsylvania more accessible.
Pick up the trail by starting on the Appalachian Trail where it meets the Clark’s Ferry Park and Ride. The first half mile or so is some of the worst of the AT because of all of the noise, traffic, and civilization. Then you meet the Susquehanna Trail, which is a shortcut through a bend on the AT. When, you meet back up with the AT, you can loop back to the park and ride by following the ridge at the top of the mountain. This is some pretty tough hiking but it’s incredible stuff.
Shortcut blue blaze to the top of the mountain where the Appalachian Trail meets up with Clark’s Ferry shelter. Enjoyed taking it southbound. It’d be a moderate hike northbound. Some large blowdowns when I went through. Pretty trail. Definitely easier than taking the AT around the mountain.
Hiked the 4.2 mile loop with my dog. Fairly strenuous and steep in places, this hike is a terrific workout but rocky in some places. Tops off after a 1200 ft climb up the mountain, with scenic views of the Susquehanna River.
A brisk, early November hike. We followed the white blazes of the AT up to the ridge, then followed the light blue blaze trail back down the mountain. The 5 of us, all in our early 50s, hiked it at a leisurely pace in 2 hrs, 20 min.