Apollo County Park

Boyd Rd. & Shenks Ferry Rd. | Chanceford Township | York County OUTSIDE OF LANCASTER COUNTY

Apollo County Park is one of those great hidden gems where you can fully immerse yourself in nature. The park is wooded and there are two streams within the park (Wilson Run and Boyd Run) that are tributaries of the Susquehanna River. The park is situated along the Susquehanna River on the York County side directly across from the Safe Harbor Dam. There are several spots that offer great view of the dam and the river, depending on the time of year.

The park was donated to the county in 1969 and named in honor of the moon landing. It is a 340 acre park located in southeast York County.

There are two sections to the park, each having it's own parking lot. A portion of the Mason Dixon Trail runs through the park, as well as several other trails. The trail sections that use the MDT can be challenging with elevation gain and rock scrambling.

Length: 5 miles of trails

Terrain: dirt | rocks | wooded | water

Difficulty: medium to well done

Parking: 1 small & 1 medium lot at 2 different locations

Restrooms: no

Website: yorkcountypa.gov

Trail Map

Trail #1 | 1.3 miles point to point medium well/ burnt | blue blaze/ green post

This trail starts from the Boyd Rd. Parking Lot. After about .2 miles you will intersect with the Mason Dixon Trail (blue). If you take the trail north, you will go to the end of the property, crossing over Wilson Run twice, then scrambling up some rocks before reaching the parks boundary. I did not see any signage indicating when you reach the end of the park.

If you take it south, you will enter the other section of the park and eventually get to the parking lot on Shenks Ferry Rd.

Trail #2 | 1.3 miles point to point

medium rare/medium | blue blaze/green post

This trail starts in the Shenks Ferry Rd. Paring lot. It shares the Mason Dixon Trail as it goes along a field and powerlines. It then splits off when the MDT goes into the woods. The trail is wide and grassy and a nice walk though the woods. It will make several turns, so be sure to follow the signs. It then connects with Trail #2A, which you are able to take back to the parking lot.

Trail #2A | .8 miles point to point

medium rare/rare | green post

This trail is similar to Trail #2, in that it is a wide grassy trail through the woods. The trail ends at a grassy cul-de-sac, but if you follow the trail in the woods it will lead to a beautiful overlook of the Susquehanna River. It's a bit obstructed by trees, so the winter months might offer a better view.

Mason Dixon Trail | approx. 3 miles point to point medium /medium well | blue blaze

You are able to pick up the trail from the Shenks Ferry Parking Lot. It shares Trail #2 as it follows along fields and the powerline. It then splits from Trail #2 and heads into the woods. Just before you cross Boyd Run there is a side trail that leads to a shelter. There are signs to point you in the right direction. It's a nice spot if you are thru-hiking and looking for a dry place to sleep. It's also just cool to check out and sing the log book.

The trail will cross under the powerline at at this point you have an amazing view of the Safe Harbor Dam and the trestle bridge.

The trail then takes you to the other section of the park and eventually meets up with Trail #1 that will take you to the boundary. The Mason Dixon Trail continues on from here.

Mason Dixon Trail to Cuff's Run | 3.8 miles point to point (7.6 miles out and back)

burnt | blue blaze

The shortest distance to reach Cuff's Run (other than by boat) is to pick up the Mason Dixon Trail from the Boyd Road Parking Lot at Apollo County Park. You will take Trail #1 for about .2 miles, until it reaches the Mason Dixon Trail (blue) and head north. While in Apollo County Park you will hike along Wilson Run and pass over it several times. After about 1.3 miles you will come to the boundary of the park, but there is no indication of this.

You will hike along the Susquehanna, at one point going down a switchback to the waters edge (going down the switchback is not so bad, but going up it on the way back is brutal). There is lots of rock scrambling and even going through a crevasse in a large outcropping of rocks. The last section before you get to Cuff's Run is very rocky.

This is a very difficult trail, so make sure that you will have enough energy to make it back, including up that switchback from hell.

Directions to Boyd Road Parking Lot:

From Lancaster take US 30 W toward York

Take the exit towards Columbia

Turn Left onto N 3rd St.

Turn Right onto Cedar St.

Turn Left onto N 2nd St.

Turn Right onto Chestnut St.

Continue onto Veterans Memorial Bridge

Continue onto PA-462/Lincoln Hwy

Take a sharp Right onto Hellam St.

Turn Right onto PA-624/Front St.