(717)644-4698; email Litz@mbcomp.com

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1. Just east of Route 72 and north of Jonestown, the Lebanon Water Authority withdraws water from a low-head dam on the Swatara. Upon closer inspection, you will see remnants of the South Mountain Railroad Piers. Access the Creek at the bridge going into Jonestown.
2. Kool Zone ice cream parlor is near the Jonestown access. When your go back for you car, it’s a great place for dinner.
3. On the west bank at the abandoned Lebanon to Tremont railroad bridge, are the only lava deposits in the State. There is a sharp cliff to the railroad bed. The lava is a few hundred feet down the old rail bed.
4. On the north bank of the Creek, just past the Route 72 bridge, is the Frog’s Hollow Complex—motorcycles, flea market….
5. Along the entire Creek are remnants of the Union Canal operated 1828-1884. The Canal once connected the Susquehanna at Middletown with the Schuylkill River at Reading, following the Swatara and Tulpehocken Creeks. The old towpath is still visible in many areas. Suggested by Wm. Penn, the Canal was surveyed in 1762. Much coal and iron ore were transported. One can find remains of locks and aqueducts by which boats descended to the Schuylkill River.
6. Just east off of Ono Road, Water Works was a community built to support the canal. The Weigh Master’s house was used as a headquarters for the Union Canal at Water Works. A ‘weigh wall’ still stands where boats were tied for weighing freight-load of the Union Canal boats. And an old Icehouse that stored ice cut from a dam in winter provided employment for canal workers in the winter months.
7. To the west of Ono Road near the Water Works is a Fish and Boat Commission Canoe Launch created by SWA.
8. On the right bank, Blue Rock is a magnificent limestone outcrop. In early spring, wildflowers of numerous color plant themselves on the face.
9. Reed’s Fort—The house of Adam Reed, Esq. was turned into a fort in 1755. Here with Rangers from Hanover Township, Reed protected the people of the countryside against Indian raids.
10. Near Route 934 north of Annville, the Harper’s Tavern {(717)865-2584}was an 1804 stagecoach stop on old Route 22 between Allentown and Harrisburg. By the way, you can’t go wrong with a meal at Harper’s Tavern.
11. The old ‘General Store’ is the building next to Harper’s Tavern and is currently a doctor’s office.
12. Just north of Harper’s Tavern is Conrad’s Mill, formerly Shuey's Mill. June 7, 1745, the site was birthplace of Lindley Murray, a famous grammarian, and author of the English grammar. Robert Murry, Lindley’s father, owned the mill from 1745-1746. For a time, the site was known as Shuey’s Mill.
13. A little further north, Fort Indiantown Gap Military Reservation was authorized in 1929. The first land was bought in 1931 and first used by the National Guard in 1932. Total acreage is now more than 16,000 acres. A national cemetery is also housed at the Gap.
14. To the west of Harper’s on old Route 22, the Swatara Creek Inn {(717)865-3259}is a three-story Victorian mansion built in 1860 for Jacob Ulrich. From 1917-1941 Milton Hershey, who used if for a boys’ home, owned the mansion. Today, the structure is a bed and breakfast inn.
15. Along Black’s Bridge Road, you will find Swatara Watershed Park, which is owned and operated for SWA.  Commercial grade canoes that are ideal for families, scout and church groups are available. In addition, you can camp, fish, hike, bird watch, or explore an old canal lock. http://www.mbcomp.com/swatara/redirect/watertrail/canoe_rent.htm
16. Until the 1930’s, Valley Glen was a recreational park near Bindnagle’s Church for swimming, boating, and carousel rides.
17. Bindnagle’s Church is where John Palm, the founder of Palmyra is buried. German settlers established Bindnagle’s on January 27, 1753. The current church dates back to January 1, 1803. Call Heidi Neiswender, (717)838-6176 church historian, to arrange a tour.
18. Milton Hershey Schools own Camp Catherine, Spartan Meadows, Camp Swattee, and Camp Milton.
19. Boat House Road park is a public access maintained by Derry Township but owned by Milton Hershey Schools.
20. Crossing the Swatara Creek just before Sand Beach Road, the Horseshoe Trail runs from a junction in the Appalachian Trail on top of Stony Mountain in State Game Lands 211 to Valley Forge--130.1 miles long.
21. Hotel Hershey, HersheyPark and Hershey Gardens are well know tourist attractions. Smell the chocolate, enjoy rides in the amusement park, watch a show, or stroll through the flower gardens.  
22. Union Deposit is a great access below the American Water Company Dam. Indians lived in Union Deposit until the late 1700’s. Later, farmers brought their grain and other produce from the PA Dutch areas here for shipment to the market via the Union Canal. Beneath the Union Canal House Restaurant {(717)566-0054 and between the Restaurant and Fort Swatara, an underground railroad once ran. Also in Union Deposit, a great anthracite furnace once turned out tons of iron until it blew up. And, a band rehearsal hall formerly served as quarters for Union Canal workers.
23. Hershey Highmeadow Campground is between the Swatara Creek and Route 39 near Hummelstown. The camp is owned by HERCO. Call (717)566-0902 for more information.
24. Keller ball fields, municipal park
25. Hummel Nature Trail, municipal park
26. Indian Echo Caverns is a large underground display of geology created by dripping water and the region’s limestone deposits where the Susquehannock Indians once lived and hunted--visited by settlers as early as 1783. Located three miles west of Hershey off US Route 322 near Hummelstown, the cave is open for tours. Call (717)566-8131 for more information.
27. Numerous small limestone caves dot the water trail. Legends place horse thieves residing in these caves.
28. A washed-out covered bridge is planned for reproduction at Clifton.
29. Swatara Park, former amusement park
30. Hoffer Park, municipal park
31. M&H (Middletown & Hummelstown) Railroad, an historic steam engine pulled train provides a ride parallel to Swatara Creek. Great fun. For more information, call (717)944-4435, 136 Brown St., Middletown.
32. Middletown is the oldest town in Dauphin County, PA—established 1755 by George Fischer, a Quaker. Boats were poled by manpower until 1873 when the first paddlewheel was acquired. In the 1920’s, gasoline engines replaced steam power, and the paddlewheels were shifted from the side to the stern. The ferry landing is a short distance west.
33. PA Fish and Boat Commission Public Access, Middletown. FYI: Middletown Fire Company, 660 S. Union St., Middletown, has a water rescue team. For assistance call (717)948-3019.

If you’re ready, depending on water depth and skill of the canoeist, the time it takes to complete this segment will vary. For water depth/flow, check out the Swatara Creek Watershed Association’s website at http://www.mbcomp.com/Swatara . If you’d rather go with an organized group, on the first Saturday in May, the Swatara Watershed Association does a float and clean-up. We usually have around 100 participants. A specific Water Trail segment is done every four years. Again, visit the rest of our web site to find out more about the entire 72 mile length of the Swatara Creek.