The Secret Park At Little Buffalo

by Scot Giambalvo

Arguably one of the most enjoyable One-Tank Getaways ever, our recent trek to the Little Buffalo State Park rekindled a long-lost desire to explore, play, and relax.

It’s a warm, overcast Sunday morning. We’re motoring up 322 with the windows down and cool jazz flowing all around us. It isn’t but a half-hour and we’re pulling off the main highway and heading into historic Newport, PA. A few more turns, a hilly climb, and the majesty of the Little Buffalo State Park opens up before us.

Prefaced by a modest sign outside the Visitor/Information Center, the park boasts an 88 acre lake, 830 acres of woodland, and eight miles of hiking trails. A stop at the Visitor Center proves informative if it’s your first time to the park. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, immediately unfolding a series of phamplets and maps, there’s no question they can’t answer.

The park is divided into two general areas, the “historic” East area which features the fully-operational Shoaff’s Grist Mill, the covered bridge, and main boat launch, and the West “Main” area where the majority of picnic tables are located, as well as the pool and the boat rental.

When we pull out of the Visitor Center onto Little Buffalo State Park Road taking an immediate left, and we’re in the historic area. Shoaff’s Mill is up the road just a bit, offering tours on the weekends. We pass one of the walking bridges that mark the hiking trails that encompass the park. Traveling further brings us to one of the comfort areas, which incidentally features a beautiful, but seldom used amphitheater, as well as a covered pavilion, playground, and rest room facilities. (The park’s facilities are being upgraded to ADA standards, and are invitingly well maintained.)

Past this respite is the main boat launch, with a breathtaking view of the entire lake. Sons and dads dot the shore with their fishing polls, while canoes glide effortlessly by on the cool breeze driven waves. (Really.)

We pull out of the historic area, and continue for about a mile along the lake. The main entrance is at the far end of the park, on the left, and is quite unassuming. Entering the park, we cross a small bridge, and travel through the woods for a few hundred feet to the lake side grove.

It’s shortly before lunch time, and the first thing we notice as we pull in is how well groomed the park’s main area is. Spotless and engineered into the environment beautifully, the roads are paved, but the parking is stone. The grassy areas are plush, and the canopy of towering shade-trees provide welcomed shade from the hot summer sun finally bursting through the hazy clouds.

The sun’s reflections now dance off the shimmering water of the massive pool. Clearly a destination for many summer escapes, we’re told that 850 visitors in a day barely make a dent in the pool’s capacity.

Adjacent to the pool, and accessible from both inside and outside the fenced area, is the concession stand which offers everything from burgers, personal pizzas, and soft drinks to Hershey’s ice cream.

We make our way down one of the walkways, heading through a picnic area to the shore of Holman Lake. You would be hard pressed not to find an open picnic table, even on the busiest of days, there’s that many of them. All of the park’s picnic tables are first-come, first-serve, but you can reserve one of the three covered pavilions.

Walking down to boat rental area, we began to realize how easy it would be to blend into the scenery and effortlessly ease a whole day into history.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to visit the Butterfly Garden or walk the hiking trails. Honestly, we had no idea how extensive and wonderful the park would be until we got there. So, we were woefully under prepared... this time.

We did, however, find out that the fishing pier is handicapped accessible, with designated areas for wheelchair-fishers and their guests. As well, the lake’s two boat launch areas are open 24 hours to fisherman, even though the park closes at sunset.

Although it’s a bit difficult to envision right now, the Little Buffalo State Park is open year-round, and offers ice skating, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing in the Winter. In September we plan to return for the Festival of the Arts, and in October for the Old Fashioned Apple Festival.

There’s so much more to do, you’ll have to visit their website at: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/buffalo.htm.

Finally, don’t bother bringing your cell phone. Even if you do “get signal,” you surely won’t care once you’re there.
 

Little Buffalo
State Park
Little Buffalo Road,
Newport, PA
717-567-9255

Directions
• Navigate via I-83 or I-81 to 322 North, heading out of Harrisburg. After crossing Routes 11 & 15 it’s a scenic
20 minute ride. Watch for the big, brown “State Park” sign. Take the Newport exit, and make a left at the bottom of the ramp onto 34 South. You’re on the right track when you cross the Juniata on a steel bridge, and go throught the center of downtown Newport. Watch for more of those brown signs as there’s a few “bear to the right” kind of turns.
• It’s 4.6 miles from the 322 exit to the park entrance.

Parking
There is ample, free parking at all of the park attractions.

Admission
• Admission to the park is free.
• Admission to the pool is $3 per person, $2 for Seniors and after 4pm, and free for little ones.

Park Hours
• Open from 8:00am to sunset daily. Information office hours are: Mon.–Fri., 8:00am–4:00pm, while the
Sat. & Sun. hours vary according to the season.

Places to Eat
• Just after you exit off of 322, you’ll see a Giant plaza on your right. In addition to a gas station, there is a
McDonalds, Subway, New Garden Chinese, and
Zeiderelli’s Pizza. (Take advantage of Giant and its picnic fixings, as the park only has a small concession stand.)
• The park’s concession stand offers the staple hotdogs, hamburgers, fried-goodies, beverages and ice cream.

Places to Stay
• The Little Buffalo Family Camping private campground, (567-7370) is located directly across from the lake as you pass the Information Office.
• The Newport Hotel, (567-6777), for those less
willing to rough it, is located in downtown Newport.

Things To Do
• Enjoy extensive nature walks and hiking
• Try fishing or boating on the lake (rentals available)
• Swim in the gigantic signature swimming pool
• Grab one of the zillion picnic tables for a family outing
• Make a reservation for one of the three pavillions, ($61 on weekends or holidays, and $41 during the week.)
• Breeze on over to the fantastic Butterfly Garden
• Tour Shoaff’s fully-operational 18th century grist mill, during summer on weekends from 1:00pm–3:00pm.

Things to Pack
• For the park: A fully-stocked picnic basket, plastic table cloth, sunscreen, bug-repellent, lawn chairs, a canopy-tent (no-sides), a camera, and a cassette or CD player.
• For the pool: Bathing suits, towels, sunscreen, sun hats, water socks, and inflatable toys and rafts.
• In general: A sweatshirt or light jacket for early morning or late afternoon. Permanent grills are available at many of the picnic tables, or you can bring your own. If you forget the charcoal, they sell it at the concession stand. (How about that!)