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    Scenic Views

    Panoramic views of the Susquehanna River can be seen from the 380 feet high overlooks of the park complex.

    When enjoying the views, visitors should remain a safe distance back from drop-off areas and children should be closely supervised.

    Hawk Point Overlook

    Hawk Point Overlook offers visitors a glimpse of the Conowingo Reservoir, the northernmost and largest of several hydroelectric impoundments on the lower Susquehanna River. Straddling the Pennsylvania and Maryland border, the reservoir generates hydroelectric power and cooling water for the Peach Bottom nuclear reactors while also serving as a popular boating and fishing destination.

    Located downriver on the far left of Hawk Point, visitors can see Mount Johnson Island, the world’s first bald eagle sanctuary. For many years, Mount Johnson Island hosted a pair of nesting bald eagles.

    Visitors can use the optical viewer or binoculars to spot eagles, osprey, turkey vultures, and black vultures that regularly soar by these cliffs using columns of rising air called thermals.

    Pinnacle Overlook

    Pinnacle Overlook offers beautiful views of the Susquehanna River’s Lake Aldred. The overlook is a good place to access the Kellys Run Trail System of the Lancaster County Conservancy and the Conestoga Trail System maintained by the Lancaster Hiking Club.

    Urey Overlook

    Upstream of Susquehannock on the west side of the river is Urey [your-ee] Overlook, which provides spectacular views of the river, Weise Island, and the Safe Harbor Dam. Urey Overlook is on the 193-mile Mason-Dixon Trail, a blue-blazed foot path which connects the Appalachian Trail to the Brandywine Trail.

    Wisslers Run Overlook

    Wisslers Run Overlook gives an excellent view of the Susquehanna’s naturally rocky riverbed. The overlook also provides a view of the Muddy Run pump storage hydroelectric plant with the impressive 21-span Norman Wood Bridge and Holtwood Dam in the background. The osprey nest on the large power line towers in front of the overlook.