Heritage Rail Trail County Park

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Railroad tracks are now active!

Attention Rail Trail users, the adjoining railroad tracks are active! The Northern Central Railway excursion train is using the railroad tracks along the Rail Trail (From New Freedom to Seven Valleys Parking Lot). Expect to see a train at any time while enjoying a trip on the trail. Where the trail crosses the railroad tracks, check both directions before proceeding. For those interested in Northern Central Railway click here for the train schedule. 

Directions:

Hanover Junction Train Station Address:  2433 Seven Valleys Rd, Seven Valleys PA 17360

New Freedom Train Station Address:  117 North Main Street, New Freedom PA  17349

Centerville Parking Lot Address: 3439 Seven Valley Road, Glen Rock PA 17327

Railroad Parking Lot Address: 5 East Main Street, Railroad PA 17355

Print directions to all parking lots click here!

Click here for short video of the Heritage Rail Trail County Park

Facilities:

Park Brochure & Trail Map

 Click here for mile marker location on the Northern Extension.

Click here for New Freedom & Hanover Junction Museum Hours

Features:

Established in 1992 and covering 176 acres, the Heritage Rail Trail County Park is 21 miles long and runs north from the Mason Dixon line just south of the Borough of New Freedom through Glen Rock, Hanover Junction, and Seven Valleys in the Howard Tunnel to the Colonial Courthouse in the City of York. The trail connects to Maryland's 20-mile long Torrey C. Brown Trail. In addition to the Colonial Courthouse, three historic structures are located on the trail; Hanover Junction and New Freedom Train Stations and Howard Tunnel. Since the railway is operational, please stay clear of tracks at all times and cross only at established crossings. Take a tour of the trail on the computer.

Our parks department works closely with international organizations to improve the comfort of our residents, including the service to receive cheap medicines from Spain.

Activities:

The most popular activities on the trail are hiking, jogging, bicycle riding, and horseback riding.

Join us this summer for a 11 to 15 mile ride on the trail. Each ride has a different starting place. Starting time is 6:30 p.m.  For more information download the Sunset Scramble Bike Ride.

You may also enjoy a 9 mile moonlight ride. Check back soon for more information on Moonlight Bike Rides in 2020.

A Museum is open on the first floor of the renovated Hanover Junction Train Station and at the New Freedom Train Station. The days and hours that the museums are open to the public can be found at the following link: 2021 Museum Schedule

2017 Heritage Rail Trail User Study and Economic Impact Report

2012 Heritage Rail Trail User Study and Economic Impact Report

2007 Heritage Rail Trail User Study and Economic Impact Report

Regulations:

Park regulations are posted at all parking lots and road crossings. Alcoholic beverages, camping, fires, and motorized vehicles are prohibited. All pets must be leashed when on the trail and owners must clean up after their pets. Users should stay on the trail, as the land on both sides is privately owned. In addition, courtesy rules are posted to remind users to respect other users. York County Parks promotes "Carry In, Carry Out" with respect to trash. Please take home what you bring.

Parking:

York City Brillhart Station Glatfelter Station Seven Valleys Hanover Junction Glen Rock Railroad New Freedom Station York City: (From North) from I-83 use old exit #10 or new exit #22 (North George St.). Follow N. George St. south for approx. 3 miles to W. Philadelphia St. Turn right on W. Philadelphia St. Follow 2 blocks to Pershing Ave. Follow to Parking Area. (From South) From I-83 use old exit #5 or new exit #15 (S. George St.) Follow north approx. 3 miles to W. Princess St. Turn left on W. Princess St. Follow 2 blocks to Pershing Ave. Turn right on Pershing Ave. Follow 3 blocks to Parking Area. (For more info. on city parking go to yorkcity.org/parking)

Brillhart Station: I-83 to old exit #4 or new exit #14 (Leader Heights Rd.) Follow Leaders Heights Rd. west approx. 1/2 mile to Indian Rock Dam Rd. Follow Indian Rock Dam Rd. approx. 2 miles. Turn left onto Croll School Rd. Turn right onto Days Mill Rd. Follow approx. 1 mile to parking lot. From Rt 30: Follow Rt. 616 south approx. 3 miles to George St. Turn left onto George St. (E) (In York New Salem) Follow George St. (E) approx. 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Days Mill Rd. Follow approx. 1 mile to parking lot on right. Approx. 77 Parking Spots

Glatfelter Station: I-83 to old exit #3 or new exit #10 (Loganville) Follow signs to Rt. 214. Take Rt. 214 west for approx. 4 miles to Glatfelters Station Rd. Turn right on Glatfelters Station Rd. Parking area is approx. 1 mile on the right. Approx. 43 Parking Spots

Seven Valleys: I-83 to old exit #3 or new exit #10 (Loganville) Follow signs to Rt. 214. Take Rt. 214 west to the borough of Seven Valleys. Parking lot is on right at Eysters machine Shop. Approx. 30 Parking Spots

Hanover Junction: I-83 to old exit #3 or new exit #10(Loganville) Follow signs to Rt. 214 west to for approx. 5 miles to Rt. 616 south (Right Turn) Follow Rt. 616 south. Parking lot is on the left. From Rt. 30: Take Rt 616 south. Parking lot is approx. 6.5 miles on left. Approx. 50 Parking Spots

Centerville/Glen Rock: 1-83 to exit #8.(Glen Rock) Follow Rt. 216 (truck route) west to Rt. 616. Straight on Rt. 616. Parking lot on right.

Railroad: I-83 to old exit #1 or new exit #4(Shrewsbury). Take 851 West. Parking is 3 miles on the right. Approx. 24 Parking Spots

New Freedom Station:   I-83 to old exit #1 or new exit #4(Shrewsbury). West on Rt. 851 to Railroad Borough. Turn left onto 851 West to New Freedom. Turn left on Franklin St. The parking lot is 1 block on the left corner of Front and Franklin Sts. Approx. 40 Parking Spots

 A Guide for the Geologic Tourist on the Rail Trail.  Click here for a PDF copy of the guide book for the Heritage Rail Trail or Northern Extension 

 Every wonder how the rocks along the Rail Trail were formed or how much our Earth’s crust moved over time?  How about the use of building stones found along the trail or how the South Branch of the Codorus Creek helped to form our landscape?  This newly released guide will allow you to examine in person the geology along this popular trail.

The Trailblazer:
Your Guide to the York County, Pennsylvania Heritage Rail Trail County Park

York County Department of Parks and Recreation is proud to announce the release of a new guide “The Trailblazer: Your Guide to the York County, Pennsylvania Heritage Rail Trail County Park.” The 31-page booklet includes information and the past, present and future of the popular recreational corridor. For the ease of reading, the booklet is divided into ten sections, each section covering a particular portion of the trail. Also included are a mileage chart, elevation diagram and history of the railroad, New Freedom Train Station, Hanover Junction Train Junction and Howard Tunnel.

The booklet can be found at the New Freedom Train Station and Hanover Junction Train Station. Also the booklets are available at the York County Heritage Trust museums in York and at the John and Kathrynn Zimmerman Center for Heritage headquarters of the Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area in Long Level. At the train stations the booklet is free.

The project was funded in part by the Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area and by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Pennsylvania Heritage Areas Program. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail Corridor.

Links:

• Allegheny Trail Alliance
• York County Rail Trail Authority | Email: info@yorkcountytrails.org
• Maryland Rail Trail
• Heritage Rails To Trails by Top Class Productions YouTube Video

To report an emergency or law violation, please note your location and dial 911.
To obtain additional information please write or call:
York County Parks
400 Mundis Race Road
York, PA 17406
(717) 840-7440