Codorus State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Sitting atop the rolling hills of southern York County, Codorus State Park is a 3,500-acre rural oasis. Inside the park is Lake Marburg, a 1,275-acre lake created by the Glatfelter Paper Company which still owns and operates the dam today. The lake gets its name from the community of Marburg which is now covered by the lake. The paper company and the town of Spring Grove are permitted to draw water from the lake, resulting in water levels that can drop over 22 feet in the summer. The park is open every day during daylight hours, so be sure to monitor what time the sun rises and sets during the season that you plan on visiting.
Nearby Cities:
Hanover, PA
Harrisburg, PA
Lancaster, PA
Baltimore, MD
Spring 51-74 F
Summer 82-87 F
Fall 55-78 F
Winter 38-43 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Codorus State Park
Campground Accommodations
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: Modern restrooms with flush toilets and showers, boat launch, shoreline mooring, sanitary dump station
Codorus State Park Campground
Open April to October, the park’s campground has 198 sites with electric hookups available. Situated near Lake Marburg, the campground is the perfect place to recharge after a day of playing on the lake, swimming in the pool, and hiking nature trails. Rates are $28 per night.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wifi: No
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms, nature trails, disc golf, pool, hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, boat launch, equipment rentals, dumping station
Gettysburg Farm RV Campground
Deep in Pennsylvania’s farm country, this campground doubles as both a restful campsite and working farm! Whether you want to lounge poolside, feed the farm animals, or go explore Hanover and Gettysburg, this campground has what you need. Rates are $58 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wifi: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Clubhouse, laundromat, playground, mini golf, sports courts, nature trails, pool, hiking, fishing, swimming, dog park, dumping station
What to Do at
Codorus State Park
With 26 miles of shoreline, Lake Marburg hosts fishing and boating year-round. Bring your horses for the equestrian trails, bicycles for the mountain biking trails, or hiking shoes for the foot trails. Disc golf is a popular summer sport at the park and a pool and spray-ground help you cool off when temperatures are soaring. Three separate picnic areas provide a place to relax and have a bite with your group. The amphitheater and band shell host entertainment throughout the warmer months.
Inside Codorus State Park
Lake Marburg is one of the main attractions at Codorus State Park. Visitors can enjoy boating and fishing during the summer and ice skating and ice fishing during the winter. Around the lake, visitors can also hike and mountain bike along the forested trails, play 54 holes of disc golf, and watch for native and migratory birds. From May to October, the park hosts educational programs, including campfire nights, meteor watch parties, and guided hikes.
Here are more details on the park’s most popular activities:
Hiking, Biking, and Horseback Riding - Over 19 miles of trails criss-cross the park, perfect for exploring on foot, bike, or horseback. Hikers can trek over miles of wetlands and deciduous forests on the Mary Ann Furnace Trail. Cyclists can explore the 195-acre mountain biking area, which features short climbs over hilly terrain. There are also several miles of bridle trails open to equestrians.
Water Sports - Lake Marburg is popular for all types of boating. Launch your vessel from one of the seven ramps or visit the boathouse to rent canoes, kayaks, and other boats. Anglers can fish for bluegill, catfish, and bass at Lake Marburg or cast a line for trout in Codorus Creek.
Swimming - Swimming in Lake Marburg is not allowed, but the park’s swimming pool and sprayground offer plenty of fun for everyone. Summertime signals the opening of the snack bar, as well as weekend crowds, so be warned! Fees are required to enter.
Wildlife Watching - The park’s different habitats make it ideal for wildlife watching. Migrating waterfowl and shorebirds are attracted to Lake Marburg, as are ospreys, eagles, and coots. The surrounding plains and forests are home to white-tailed deer, bluebirds, thrushes, and other wildlife.
Winter Sports - During the winter, the fun continues! Ice fishing is available on Lake Marburg, except near the ice skating area by Chapel Cove. The park’s snow-covered terrain is open for cross-country sledding, snowmobiling, and sledding.
Fishing
Both summer and winter fishing give you a chance to catch bluegill, catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, tiger muskellunge, and yellow perch. Bow fishing is allowed in shallow cove areas of the lake. Fish from 26 miles of shore or from your boat. East Branch Codorus Creek along Park Road is an approved trout stocking stream.
Geocaching
Geocaches in the park are a great way to get out on the trails and lake and explore the area while hunting for your virtual prize.
Nature Watching
Forests, fields, and wetlands make up Codorus State Park. Many migrating waterfowl and shoreline birds gather on the lake. A bald eagle's nest is viewable from the classroom area with a live camera set up for viewing from anywhere. Watch white-tailed deer roam the grasslands and turtles slowly crossing the wetlands. Volunteers manage 175 bluebird boxes throughout the park.
Flora and Fauna
Deciduous hardwoods and wild prairie grasses fill the park with lush greenery. White-tailed deer, muskrats, and squirrels are among the mammals roaming the area. Hundreds of bird species call the park home including ruddy ducks, mergansers, and scaups.
Hiking
The LaHo Trail is an easy 1.7-mile loop following the shoreline of Wildasin Flats. Mary Ann Furnace Trail is a more difficult trek, winding 3 miles through the wetlands, across the forests, and around the shoreline of the lake.
Boating
Boating is a popular sport in all seasons at Codorus State Park. There are seven boat launches on the lake with mooring and storage options available. The marina rents canoes, kayaks, motorboats, paddle boats, and pontoon boats. The Oar House has canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats for rent.
Swimming
A swimming pool and spray-ground sit on a bluff overlooking Lake Marburg. A seasonal snack bar with hot and cold foods and beverages is available near the pool. Swimming is off-limits in the lake due to the extreme water level fluctuations.
Biking
A 13.25-mile mountain biking loop trail offers easy strolling through the prairieland of the park.
How to Get to
Codorus State Park
Codorus State Park is just minutes from Hanover. If you’re coming from Hanover, PA, US Highway 216 will not only take you to Codorus State Park, but it also runs through the park. There are several well-marked turnoffs along the way that will guide you to different activities.
If you’re on I-83, you can take Exit 8, which will put you on Highway 216. Drive for 18 miles and follow the signs that guide you into the park.
Entering Codorus State Park
There is no entrance or day-use fees at Codorus State Park.
Whether you want to enjoy a day of fishing, or you want to hike along the trails while looking at the flowers, birds, and other animals, Codorus State Park has adventures waiting for you. Check out the miles of trails for horses, mountain bikes, and hikers before you rest your head for the night in the campground.
Frequently Asked Questions About Codorus State Park
The best time of year to visit depends on the recreation and nature you want to enjoy. Warmer months are great for swimming, fishing, and disc golf. Fall colors in the park burst in hues of yellow, red, and orange. Winter sports include ice fishing, ice boating, and hunting.
Ruddy ducks, mergansers, scaups, grebes, coots, and wigeon live along the lake. You'll spot ospreys taking a dive for fish and bald eagles with large nests in the trees. White-tailed deer, muskrats, turtles, and wood ducks also call the park home. Hundreds of birds live among the trees as well.
There are 190 designated camping spots for RVs at the campground.
Campsites can be reserved online up to 11 months before your stay. You may also register for an open site at the time you arrive. Campsites in Codorus State Park start at $16 per night with increased fees for electricity, pets, and more.
Pets are permitted in designated areas of the park as well as on certain campsites for an additional fee.
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