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Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail
Central Region

Historic/Family/Wildlife
Trail Description

Location: Susquehanna State Park tp Conowingo Dam. Harford County.

Directions: Take exit 89, Rt.155 off I-95. Proceed west to Rt.161. Turn right on Rt.161, then right onto Rock Run Rd. Follow to the park. Turn right on Lapidum Road and left on Stafford Road. Drive to the Deer Creek Picnic Area at the north end of the park and park in the lot here. Trail access from the picnic area. Or, start at Fisherman's Park at the Conowingo Dam. From Route 1 north turn right on Shuresville Road and left on Shures Landing Road.

Trail Length: 5 miles

Trail Surface: Crushed stone

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Caution: Shared use with hikers and equestrians.

 

 

 

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The Trail:

The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail is part of a greater Greenway corridor connecting towns, public and private lands, historic sites, woodlands and open spaces along one of the country’s most beautiful and abundant waterways -- the "Mighty Susquehanna River" as it is known in the Mid-Atlantic States.is the largest freshwater river on the East Coast with it's watershed coversing parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York.

Large forested areas and wetland cover run parallel to the Chesapeake Bay, the Susquehanna Flats, a unique "flat" area, created by despositewere created and provide an important habitat for fish, aquatic vegetation, and migratory birds.The Flats are an important habitat for underwater grasses

The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenways Trail runs between the Conowingo Dam and Stafford Road at Deer Creek. The eight foot wide, double track trail with a crushed stone base provides an easy, flat ride that is perfect for family bike excursions and wildlife sightings.

Great Blue Herons, ospreys, and bald eagles vie for a meal of fresh fish. Gulls, shorebirds and numerous raptors (birds of prey) nest and feed near Conowingo Dam.  The Susquehanna Greenway Trail is known for its abundance of spring wildflowers. 

Interpretive signs along the trail provide descriptions of the flora and fauna. Beginners and families will be rewarded with great scenery and easy riding.

 

The Conowingo Dam, at the northern end of the trail, is a huge concrete dam holding back the mighty Susquehanna and reducing it to a shallow, rocky river bed. The southern trailhead is in Susquehanna State Park where there are over 12 miles of more challenging mountain bike trails.

Trail Highlightts

Along the way to the impressive 4648-foot-long, 102-foot-high Conowingo Dam, you'll pass wooded wetlands harboring songbirds and abundant wildflowers, especially in the spring. You may also spot old rail tracks and informational displays with historical and scientific details about the area.

Start from Susquehanna State Park. To start the trail from the south, in Susquehanna State Park, go to north side of the Deer Creek bridge. Near this end, where the trail travels inland to the sparkling Deer Creek, is the site of the early Stafford flint furnace, with a portion of the furnace still standing. Along the way to the impressive 4648-foot-long, 102-foot-high Conowingo Dam, you'll pass wooded wetlands harboring songbirds and abundant wildflowers, especially in the spring. You may also spot old rail tracks and informational displays with historical and scientific details about the area. Look out for many Bald Eagles, and small woods birds and water fowl on the river. Always fresh signs of beaver, Pileated woodpeckers, various gulls, terns, herons, ducks, geese, margansers

 

Historical Note:

The trail passes the site of the early Stafford flint furnace, a portion of it still standing. Visit the Rock Run Historic Area within the state park. Nearby historic towns include:

  • Havre de Grace: waterfront promenade, antique/gift shops, restaurants and museums, including Concord Point Lighthouse, Canal Museum, Decoy Museum;
  • Aberdeen: Aberdeen Proving Ground Ordnance Museum, Cal Ripken Museum;
  • Port Deposit, an historic river town, offers restaurants and shops.
  • Nearby Darlington is a quaint rural town with antique shops.

 

For more information:

Trail Website: Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway

 

 

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