York County Parks

  • Home
  • York County Parks
Call Directions Website Contact the organization

York County Parks This is the official page for the York County Department of Parks & Recreation. Welcome to York County Parks! Rudy County Park
* William H. Rudy, William H.

We manage 11 beautiful parks and recreation areas for you to explore and enjoy:
* Rocky Ridge County Park
* Richard M. Nixon County Park
* Apollo County Park
* Spring Valley County Park
* John C. Kain County Park
* Wallace Cross Mill Historic Site
* York County Heritage Rail Trail
* P. Joseph Raab County Park
* Highpoint Scenic Vista and Recreation Area
* Native Lands
All parks are open daily from dusk till dawn for your outdoor adventures. Nixon Park Nature Center
5922 Nixon Dr., York, PA 17403
(717) 728-1961
[email protected]
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 8:30am–4:30pm, Sunday 12pm–4:30pm
Closed Mondays and national holidays
Please note: There are no public restrooms at Nixon Park outside of Nature Center hours. Administrative Headquarters – John C. Rudy Park
400 Mundis Race Rd., York, PA 17406
(717) 840-7440
[email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday 8am–12:30pm & 1pm–4:30pm
Closed on national holidays

Park Rangers:
For assistance, contact (717) 840-7229

Pavilion Rentals:
Available at John C. Kain, and Rocky Ridge County Parks. Reserve yours at YorkCountyParks.org

More Information:
* Parks: YorkCountyParks.org
* Christmas Magic Event: ChristmasMagicYork.org
* Volunteering, Memberships & Donations: SupportYourParks.org
* Upcoming Programs and Events: Please check the Program Guide https://yorkcountypa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5327/Program-Guide-May---Aug-2025-PDF?bidId=

Community Guidelines:
York County Parks asks that all those that interact with our page abide by our community guidelines.
- No profane language or content
- No content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regards to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation
- No sexual content or links to sexual content
- No solicitations of commerce
- No conduct or encouragement of illegal activity
- No information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems
- No content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party

Thank you for joining our community and helping us keep this space welcoming and safe for all!

🍂 Weekly Wilderness Walk: Fall Foliage Edition 🍁As October comes to a close, the forest is alive with color, movement, a...
30/10/2026

🍂 Weekly Wilderness Walk: Fall Foliage Edition 🍁
As October comes to a close, the forest is alive with color, movement, and quiet preparation. Join us for a serene afternoon stroll where every step brings a new discovery. From trees showing off their fiery fall foliage to wildlife making final preparations for winter, the season has plenty to share—if you know where to look.
Walk alongside a park naturalist who will help you slow down, tune in, and truly see what’s happening in the woods. Whether you’re curious about why leaves turn brilliant shades this time of year or how animals prepare for the cold months ahead, this guided walk offers a chance to experience the magic of late fall up close.
Come breathe in the crisp air, wander beneath golden canopies, and reconnect with the natural world before winter settles in.

🍂 Fall Foliage Walk Details 🍂
Date: October 31
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Nixon County Park
Registration is required:
Please email [email protected] with:
• Your name
• Number of participants
• Your phone number
Space is limited—reserve your spot early!

Looking for volunteer hours? Know any teen groups, work groups, or families who want to make a difference outdoors? We h...
29/10/2026

Looking for volunteer hours? Know any teen groups, work groups, or families who want to make a difference outdoors? We have several upcoming Habitat Action Days at Nixon Park and would love your help!

Habitat Action Days
Wednesday–Saturday, November 4–7
1:00pm–3:00pm, Nixon Park Nature Center
Help remove invasive plants around the parking lots to improve wildlife habitat and make the area more beautiful for all park visitors. We’ll also be installing native plants in protective cages.
Recommended for adult and teen groups.

Sunday, November 8, 1:00pm–3:00pm
Join us to plant native wildflowers and trees and help start seeds in gallon jugs for next spring’s planting. These jugs will be used during our Spring Habitat Action Days in April.
Recommended for families and youth groups.

Registration though the Volunteer Portal is required. Please go to SupportYourParks.org and click the volunteer tab.

If you or someone you know wants to get involved, this is a great way to earn hours, spend time outside, and support local wildlife. Spread the word! 🌿💚

🚨 Deer Season Alert – Please Drive Carefully! 🚗🦌With the change in seasons, deer are becoming much more active—especiall...
28/10/2026

🚨 Deer Season Alert – Please Drive Carefully! 🚗🦌

With the change in seasons, deer are becoming much more active—especially during dawn and dusk. This means a higher chance of encountering them on the roads.
Please stay alert, reduce your speed in wooded or rural areas, and remember that if you see one deer, there are usually more nearby. Your extra caution can help prevent accidents and keep everyone safe.
Drive carefully and stay aware out there! 🦌✨

Photo credit: Bob Reiter

Did you know that Hanover Junction was attacked twice by Confederate forces during the Civil War, who cut telegraph wire...
28/10/2026

Did you know that Hanover Junction was attacked twice by Confederate forces during the Civil War, who cut telegraph wires and disrupted critical rail communications at this strategically important junction?
This makes it the perfect place to learn more about the Civil War!
Join us for a Special Civil War Pop Up Display at Hanover Junction Train Station on
Saturday, November 7 &
Sunday, November 8,
from 11 AM to 3 PM.
Step back in time, discover the important role this small yet powerful station once served, and enjoy a day devoted to the Civil War featuring a special themed trunk from the York County History Center.
Make sure to bring friends, family, and fellow history buffs—this is a special event you won’t want to miss!

27/10/2026

UPDATE: THE ROAD IS OPEN AGAIN
🚧 Temporary Road Closure at Rocky Ridge 🚧
10/27/2026 The road leading to the back of the parking lot at Rocky Ridge will be temporarily closed for tree‑removal work.
🌳 Please park in the front parking lots during this time.
Thank you for your patience as we work to keep the park safe and beautiful!

Why Healthy Habitats Matter: Nature’s Quiet Problem‑SolversA thriving habitat is more than just a pretty landscape—it’s ...
26/10/2026

Why Healthy Habitats Matter: Nature’s Quiet Problem‑Solvers
A thriving habitat is more than just a pretty landscape—it’s a hardworking system that keeps our environment stable and resilient.
Healthy native plant communities don’t just support wildlife; they perform essential ecological jobs every day:
• They filter and clean water. Native plant roots trap pollutants and sediment, helping improve water quality in streams and ponds.
• They stabilize soil. Deep root systems reduce erosion, especially on slopes and riverbanks.
• They support beneficial insects. Native bees, beetles, and other pollinators depend on these plants—and in turn, they keep entire ecosystems functioning.
• They help buffer extreme weather. Diverse habitats are more adaptable to drought, heavy rain, and temperature swings than areas dominated by invasive species.
When native habitat disappears, we lose these natural services—and the landscape becomes less resilient for both wildlife and people.
Restoring native communities brings these benefits back piece by piece.
Want to help restore your local habitat?
Join us for Habitat Action Days at Nixon Park, November 4–8, 1–3pm!
Volunteers will remove invasive plants, strengthen native habitat, and boost the ecological health of the park.
Individuals, families, teens, adults, and groups are all welcome- there is a perfect session for everyone.
Visit SupportYourParks.org, click Volunteer, and sign up for the date that works best for you.
Let’s rebuild the habitats that support us all.

Weekly Wilderness Walk- Mushroom Hunt🍄🪨🐛If you’re planning a visit to the parks this month, keep an eye out for mushroom...
23/10/2026

Weekly Wilderness Walk- Mushroom Hunt🍄🪨🐛
If you’re planning a visit to the parks this month, keep an eye out for mushrooms! It’s the perfect time of year to see a range of fungi species sprouting from damp soil, between fallen leaves, and on shaded trees. You may spot yellow or orange Amanita mushrooms, shelf-shaped turkey tails, or even bird’s nest fungi, which grow inverted caps with egg-like spores inside. This species is well-adapted to rainy days: water droplets that fall into the caps send spores flying to grow someplace new. Do you have a favorite mushrooms species or just a favorite picture even if you don't know what it is? Let us know in the comments!

Fun Fact: Did you know that bird watching isn’t just for experts? At Nixon Park, there’s a birding adventure for every a...
22/10/2026

Fun Fact: Did you know that bird watching isn’t just for experts? At Nixon Park, there’s a birding adventure for every age and curiosity level! Whether you’re a total beginner or an expert, there’s truly an option for everyone!

Kids’ Christmas Bird Count – December 30th, 10–12am

Project FeederWatch – Every Tuesday & Wednesday from November 10th–April, one-hour slots from 9–4am

NestWatch – March through September, monitor nests every 3–4 days

Ready to try it out? Reserve your spot by emailing [email protected] with your name, phone number, and group size. Your bird watching journey awaits! 🐦🌳✨

Fun Fall Fact:Did you know that the brilliant yellows and oranges of fall have been in the leaves all along? As daylight...
21/10/2026

Fun Fall Fact:
Did you know that the brilliant yellows and oranges of fall have been in the leaves all along? As daylight shortens, trees stop producing chlorophyll—the green pigment that hides those colors—allowing the natural pigments underneath to finally shine through. The reds and purples, however, are pigments the trees produce in the fall when the sunny days and cool nights combine.

Ready to soak in all the colors of the season? Join us on Saturday, October 31 at 1:00 PM for a Naturalist‑Led Fall Foliage Walk at Nixon Park!
Take a relaxing stroll through the forest with a park naturalist and discover what’s happening in the woods as autumn reaches its peak. We’ll explore how trees prepare for winter, what wildlife is up to this time of year, and how the landscape transforms before the colder months arrive.
Registration is required.
Please email [email protected] with your name, number of participants, and phone number to reserve your spot.
Come enjoy the crisp air, colorful views, and the peaceful beauty of fall at Nixon Park!

Address

PA

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30
Thursday 08:00 - 16:30
Friday 08:00 - 16:30
Saturday 08:30 - 16:30

Telephone

+17178407440

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when York County Parks posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to York County Parks:

Shortcuts

  • Want your organization to be the top-listed government service?

Share