ABOUT CODORUS STATE PARK: The 3,500-acre Codorus State Park is in the rolling hills of southern York County near Hanover and Mainheim Township, Pennsylvania. The 1,275-acre Lake Marburg has 26 miles of shoreline and is a rest stop for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. The lake is also popular with sailboaters and motorboaters. Anglers love the lake for warmwater fishing and can also fish Codorus Creek for trout.
When Europeans reached the land that became Codorus State Park, it was the territory of Susquehannocks, a powerful tribe that controlled much of the land near the Susquehanna River. Wars and the push of settlers led to the demise of the Susquehannocks. The early settlers were German farmers, but industry soon followed.
The impoundment of Codorus Creek was the result of a cooperative project between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Glatfelter Paper Company of Spring Grove, PA. This undertaking was the first of its kind in the commonwealth and was designed to serve the water supply needs of a private company and the needs of the town of Spring Grove, and to provide a public recreation area.
The Glatfelter Paper Company constructed the dam and still owns and runs the dam. The gates first closed, impounding water, in December of 1966. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania acquired the land in 1965-1966. Originally the park was known as Codorus Creek State Park. Lake Marburg is named for the small community of Marburg that is covered by the Lake.
Popular activities at the State Park are: picnicking, swimming in the swimming pool, two marinas, disc golf, a bandshell, equestrian area with over 8 miles of equestrian trails, scuba diving, hunting and trapping in season, mountain biking, fishing, boating, hiking over 19 miles of trails, camping, environmental education and interpretation, bird and wildlife viewing, and in winter – snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, and iceboating.
The campground opens the second Friday in April and closes November 1. There are over 200 campsites that are suitable for tents or recreational vehicles up to 50 feet in length. There are also some camping cottages and yurts. Many campsites have electric hook-ups. Pets are permitted at designated sites for a fee. Amenities include showers, toilets, water, ACA accessible, public phone, camp store, firewood and ice sales, amphitheater, picnic pavilion, boat launches, dump station, recycling & trash disposal, and programs for children.
We were unable to check out Loops C and D, but according to the campground map Loop C has some sites without hook-ups and some sites with 30-amp hook-ups, and three cabins. Loop D appears to have both 50-amp and 30-amp electric sites. Loop A is no hook-ups. All three of these campground loops do not allow pets.
Loop B is the largest loop and pets are allowed there. We had site #45, the only site available in this loop for the first night of our stay. It was just fine. 30-amp electric. The whole loop is tree’d and all sites are fine, all of them would work for us, and all of them have electric hook-ups. Check-in time was after 3 p.m. Check-out time was before 3 p.m. We paid $35 per night for a two-night stay. Price included a $4.50 per night senior citizen discount. The campground was located at 540 Dubs Church Road, Hanover, PA 17331. Campground phone – (717) 637-2418; Office phone – (717) 637-2816. For reservations online – www.visitPAparks.com or call toll free (888) 727-2757.
- 2021 – 10/19-10/21