Home PA Scenic Overlooks Exploring Schull’s Rock Overlook in York County

Exploring Schull’s Rock Overlook in York County

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

If you’re looking for directions to Schull’s Rock Overlook at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in York County, you’re in the right place!

Susquehanna Riverlands State Park sign along Furnace Road in York County Pennsylvania.
Susquehanna Riverlands State Park sign along Furnace Road.

Schull’s Rock Overlook 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).

Looking upstream along the Susquehanna River from Schull's Rock Overlook at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park.
Looking upstream along the Susquehanna River from Schull’s Rock Overlook.

While the park is still in the early stages of its development, the Schull’s Rock Overlook Trail is one feature that has been completed there.

The Schull's Rock Overlook trailhead at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in York County Pennsylvania.
The trailhead.

This article will show exactly where to park, what the trail is like, and what you can expect to see at Schull’s Rock Overlook in York County!

Sign near Schull's Rock Overlook at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in York County Pennsylvania.
Sign near the overlook.

Directions to Schull’s Rock Overlook

The parking area for the hike to Schull’s Rock Overlook is located along River Farm Road at GPS coordinates 40.04957, -76.63642.


The parking area is located on the west side of the road, with the trailhead lying on the east side of the road.

Parking area for the hike to Schull's Rock Overlook at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park.
Parking area for the hike to the overlook.

The yellow-blazed trail is 0.7 miles in length (one-way), and follows a northeasterly route.

Schull's Rock Overlook trail map at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in York County Pennsylvania.
Schull’s Rock Overlook trail map.

The hike is relatively flat (less than 100 feet of elevation change), and passes through both wooded areas and the edge of farm fields.

Distance and elevation change map for the Schull's Rock Overlook Trail at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in York County Pennsylvania.
Distance and elevation change map for the Schull’s Rock Overlook Trail.

At periodic intervals along the hike you’ll encounter these posts emblazoned with yellow arrows, pointing you in the right direction.

Several sections of the trail to Schull's Rock Overlook skirt the edge of cornfields.
Several sections of the trail skirt the edge of cornfields.

The yellow blazes are easy to follow along the wooded sections of the trail as well, owing in part to the newness of the trail.

Two sections of the Schull's Rock Overlook Trail pass through wooded areas.
Two sections of the trail pass through wooded areas.

On an early September afternoon hike to the overlook, I encountered an abundance of wildflowers and butterflies along the trail.

Wildflowers and cornfields along the Schull's Rock Overlook Trail in York County PA.
Wildflowers and cornfields along the Schull’s Rock Overlook Trail.

Hiking at a leisurely pace, I arrived at the overlook in approximately 20 minutes.

Approaching the overlook at Schull's Rock above the Susquehanna River in York County Pennsylvania.
Approaching the overlook.

Views from Schull’s Rock Overlook

The view to the north from Schull’s Rock Overlook is of Shocks Mills Bridge, with Codorus Creek spilling into the Susquehanna River just above the bridge.

View to the north from Schull's Rock Overlook at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in York County Pennsylvania.
View to the north from Schull’s Rock Overlook.

To the east you’re looking at Lancaster County farmland.

View to the east from Schull's Rock Overlook at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in York County Pennsylvania.
View to the east from the overlook.

To the south your views are downstream along the Susquehanna River, in the direction of Wrightsville (York County) and Columbia (Lancaster County).

View to the southeast from Schull's Rock Overlook at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park.
View to the southeast.

If you’re wondering if the Shocks Mills Bridge is still used – it is!

Shock's Mill Bridge is an active railroad bridge across the Susquehanna River just north of Schull's Rock Overlook.
Shocks Mills Bridge is an active railroad bridge across the Susquehanna River just north of the overlook.

This 2209 foot-long span originally opened by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1905 is still used by the Norfolk Southern Railway.

An eastbound train crossing Shocks Mill Bridge as viewed from Schull's Rock Overlook at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park.
An eastbound train crossing Shocks Mills Bridge as viewed from Schull’s Rock Overlook.

It may be a relatively new state park, but the hike to Schull’s Rock Overlook at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park will become one of your favorites in York County!

View to the north from Schull's Rock Overlook in York County, Pennsylvania.
View to the north from the overlook.

Nearby Attractions

18 Must-See Attractions in York County is your guide to the areaโ€™s top local hotspots and places you wonโ€™t want to miss.

Collage of four attractions in York County, Pennsylvania, showing a covered wagon exhibit inside a museum, a coin-operated viewing scope overlooking a lake with fall foliage, a brightly colored bear mural on a brick building, and the iconic shoe-shaped house with lit windows and a front walkway.

Discover more than a thousand incredible places to explore across Pennsylvania with the interactiveย PA Bucket List Travel Map!


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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.