Rocky Ridge County Park – York, PA

Rocky Ridge County Park is a beautiful park that is free to the public. I love that it’s so easy to access, right off Route 30 past the York Galleria Mall. There are plenty of parking spots and then it’s up to you what you want to do for the day. There are fitness trails to wander, forests to explore, rocks to climb and a birds to watch. I personally prefer to walk through the wooded areas and check out the interesting finds along the way, like a random looking shed abandoned in the forest or a small stream. Plus the shade from the trees makes the day a couple of degrees cooler during the summer.

If you’re not scared of electricity, be sure to check out the bird watch. I didn’t see any of the birds when I was there, but there was a lovely board that gave pictures and explanations of native birds. And the side of the hill it overlooks has been shaved of trees (think of a reverse Mohawk) and gives a fantastic view of York. But there are huge electric poles that go right down the middle and you can hear the electricity buzzing overhead. A little intimidating for me but I’m sure others might find it exciting.

If you’re visiting with the family, you’ll be delighted to know that they have a nice restroom facility in the middle of the park. It’s clean and has toilet paper, a rare find with most parks. There are also several pavilions that you can rent for the day that can be used for birthday parties or family reunions.

The best part of the park is that it’s fun even in the Winter. It’s typically open between Thanksgiving and New Years with a great display of Christmas lights to enjoy. There is a small admission fee but I’m sure the park has a really high electric bill to put up all those lights! And there is a vendor area where you can get hot chocolate and other goodies to snack on.

I haven’t explored all this park has to offer since it’s so big, but I look forward to many visits there in the future!