PA Scenic Overlooks

Exploring Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County

A vibrant collage of four images from Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania. Top left: A distant view of the Susquehanna River and its bridges amidst lush greenery. Top right: Inside a wooden pavilion with picnic tables, overlooking a scenic landscape. Bottom left: The American and Pennsylvania flags fluttering beside a picnic area with a path leading to a gazebo. Bottom right: A wooden bench faces an open field with a backdrop of the Susquehanna River. Each scene conveys the natural beauty and recreational opportunities the overlook offers.

If you’re looking for information about visiting Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, you’re in the right place!

Close-up view of a coin-operated binocular stand at Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania, with a clear view of the landscape in the background. The binoculars are centered in the frame, overlooking a green field that leads to a panoramic view of distant hills and a river crossing. — Coin-op viewing scope at the overlook.

Mount Pisgah Overlook, at 885 feet above sea level, is the highest point in the this portion of eastern York County and offers a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding Susquehanna River Valley.

A stunning view from Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania, showcasing the Wrightsville-Columbia bridge spanning across the Susquehanna River. The bridge is captured from a distance, with a foreground of a lush grassy field and a backdrop of rolling hills. Power lines slightly intersect the view, leading the eye across the varied greenery and towards the distant waterway. — View towards Columbia in Lancaster County.

The overlook is located within the confines of Samuel S. Lewis State Park, named in honor of the former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Forest and Waters from 1951-1954.

The entrance sign for Samuel S. Lewis State Park in York County, Pennsylvania, set against a clear blue sky. The wooden sign, with carved and painted lettering, indicates the park's affiliation with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Behind the sign, the rolling hills and lush greenery of the area are visible, alongside a road that stretches into the picturesque landscape. — The park opened to the public on July 4, 1954.

At the end of his term, Mr. Lewis donated 35 acres of his farm to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to help establish the park.

A children's playground at Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania, featuring green play equipment on a bed of wood chips. There's a swing set, a wavy slide, and a climbing structure with footholds, set against a backdrop of mature trees and a sweeping view of the valley below. The playground offers a combination of fun and scenic beauty. — Playground near the overlook.

Directions to the Overlook

For navigation purposes, use 6000 Mt Pisgah Rd, York, PA 17406 as the address for Mount Pisgah Overlook.

The overlook is located at the end of a flat path adjacent to what is called Hilltop Pavilion.

A serene setting at Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania, displaying an American flag and a Pennsylvania state flag fluttering in the breeze atop a flagpole. In the midground, a green lawn hosts a picnic table, with a paved pathway leading to a covered pavilion that offers shelter and a place to rest. The landscape stretches into the distance with lush trees and a clear blue sky above. — A flat path leads to the overlook.

Near Hilltop Pavilion, a wayside panel and coin-operated viewing scope allows visitors to view and identify various points of interest along the river valley.

An informational display at Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania, titled 'Crossing the River – The Key to the West'. The sign details the historical challenges of crossing the Susquehanna River, with references to Wrightsville’s bridge and the Norman Wood Bridge near Susquehannock State Park. It includes a faded image of a bridge over the river. — Wayside panel near the overlook.

The view to the northeast is of a pair of bridges spanning the Susquehanna River, with Columbia in Lancaster County on the opposite shore.

A view from Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania, overlooking the Susquehanna River to the north. A verdant field in the foreground gently slopes down to an expanse of dense trees, beyond which the river winds through the landscape. Multiple bridges span the wide river, connecting the wooded hills in the distance under a partly cloudy sky. — Views to the north and east out over the Susquehanna River.

While to the south your views are in the direction of Hawk Point, Safe Harbor Dam, and Maryland.

A peaceful scene at Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania, showing a solitary wooden bench with a view towards the south over the Susquehanna River. The bench is positioned on a grassy hilltop, inviting visitors to sit and enjoy the expansive view of the river, distant hills, and a clear blue sky. Lush trees frame the edges of the image, — View towards the south from the overlook.

Because Mount Pisgah Overlook provides for such a scenic backdrop, the Hilltop Pavilion is a popular site for picnics and weddings.

An inviting view from under a curved wooden pavilion at Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania, with several picnic tables lined up, ready for visitors. Through the pavilion's open front, one can see a sweeping vista of farmland, patches of forest, and a clear sky. The pavilion serves as a serene spot to enjoy a meal with a view. — Hilltop Pavilion.

Final Thoughts

Mount Pisgah Overlook is a perfect escape for those seeking peace and natural beauty, and its accessibility makes it ideal for a quick getaway or a family outing.

View from a hilltop picnic pavilion at Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania. Wooden picnic tables rest under the shelter of the pavilion, with its open sides framing a picturesque view of the rolling hills, trees, and a river in the distance. The bright blue sky and lush greenery evoke a sense of tranquility. — Mount Pisgah Overlook is easily accessible.

For anyone traveling through York County, Mount Pisgah is a great pit stop that embodies the serene charm of Pennsylvania’s outdoors.

A scenic view from Mount Pisgah Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania, featuring a solitary brown bench facing a vast landscape under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, a coin-operated binocular stand invites visitors to take a closer look at the distant hills and patchwork of fields. — View to the east.

Nearby Attractions

Schull’s Rock Overlook in York County is a fantastic rock outcropping and vista on the west bank of the Susquehanna River, located in one of PA’s newest state parks (added in 2022).

Exploring Schull's Rock Overlook at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in York County Pennsylvania. — Scenes from Schull’s Rock Overlook.

The Pinnacle Overlook, often referred to simply as “The Pinnacle”, is located just north of the Holtwood Dam on the eastern shore of the Susquehanna River.

Exploring Pinnacle Overlook at Susquehannock State Park in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. — Scenes from the Pinnacle Overlook.

Chickies Rock is one of the most popular scenic overlooks along the eastern side of the Susquehanna River, a towering rock outcropping more than 100 feet above the river.

Exploring Chickies Rock Overlook in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. — Scenes from Chickies Rock.

The Colonial Complex in York includes some of the oldest and most historic buildings in the city, which served as the Capital of the Nation for nine months during the Revolutionary War!

Exploring the Colonial Complex in York PA. — Scenes from the Colonial Complex in York.

The Haines Shoe House near York is one of PA’s most recognizable roadside attractions, and now it’s a vacation rental home!

Spending the night at the Haines Shoe House vacation rental near York Pennsylvania. — Scenes from the Haines Shoe House.

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