#8b - Susquehanna National Heritage Area / The Zimmerman Center for Heritage / Shank's Mare: These sites are both along the Susquehanna River at Long Level at different locations.
Property Manager: Susquehanna National Heritage Area. (717) 252-0229. Safe Harbor Water Power Co..
GPS address: 1706 Long Level Rd., Wrightsville, Pa. 17368, south to Shank's Mare Outfitters, 2092 Long Level Rd., Wrightsville, Pa, 17368
Hours:
Zimmerman Center: The grounds of the Zimmerman Center are open every day from dawn to dusk for hiking and birding the trails. House and galleries are open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Guided tours of the historic house are offered throughout the day on the weekends. Boat tours are offered daily throughout the late Spring, though summer and into September.
Shank's Mare: Safe Harbor Lock 2 Riverfront area at lot, park and launches open dusk until dawn. Shank’s Mare Outfitter hours vary. Call (717) 252-0229) for times
Parking:
Zimmerman Center: Behind the main building.
Shank's Mare: Across the street from the shop along the riverfront in the lot, at the boat launches (public and Lock 2 boat ramp in the park) and park.
Restrooms:
Zimmerman Center: Restrooms are available.
Shank's Mare: Yes, in recreation areas. Restrooms are available in shop when open.
Best Birding:
Zimmerman Center: All seasons, dawn until dusk, along trails behind center and on river. They offer free daily guided river cruises in the summer (book in advance on line) to enjoy different views of the flora and fauna. For best light on waterfowl afternoon is better as sun will be behind a viewer on the York side of the river. As far as species numbers migration is best (May and September) (Oct-Nov and Feb-Apr for waterfowl). Beware of river levels and if ice is building on the river as these tend to reduce the number of birds.
Shank's Mare: All seasons, dawn until dusk, along the riverfront. A family-oriented spot to see and get close to the Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls and Mallards, which children enjoy, and to see the majestic Bald Eagles flying overhead. Park and playground next to the lot. Great location to use a spotting scope for views of numerous waterfowl across the river at Conejohela Flats in Lancaster County. Or bird from your boat or kayak/ canoe. Hiking/birding spots close by. Plus several public boat launch spots above and below the parking lot. For best light on waterfowl afternoon is better as sun will be behind a viewer on the York side of the river. As far as species numbers migration is best (May and September) (Oct-Nov and Feb-Apr for waterfowl). Beware of river levels and if ice is building on the river as these tend to reduce the number of birds.
Site Description:
Zimmerman Center: The Zimmerman Center for Heritage is part of the 53-mile Susquehanna River Water Trail-Lower Section, which is managed by Susquehanna National Heritage Area. At the Zimmerman Center for Heritage at Long Level you can explore the Susquehanna River in a comfortable pontoon boat (book in advance on-line)! River Discovery Boat Tours (susquehannaheritage.org) Susquehanna National Heritage Area staff guide participants on a FREE (2021 season) 70-minute tour of the river while sharing its rich natural and cultural history. You will experience the joy of being on the water, hearing stories of the river, and viewing beautiful scenery and wildlife. You can see Bald Eagles, Herons, Cormorants, plus many waterfowl species. Across the river is Conejohela Flats, where over 17,000 birds (over 38 species) stop over on their migration from Canada and the Arctic to areas in Central and South America and back. The tour also includes a stop at Columbia Crossing located across the river in Columbia, where you can bird the river from the Lancaster County perspective or explore the city of Columbia. Visit the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center.
Shank's Mare: A very popular area in the summer, with the Lock 2 public boat launch often in heavy use on weekends, the Lock 2 boat ramp in the beautiful shaded park, with birds wandering around, a childrens’ play area and picnic tables, and large parking spots.
Property Manager: Susquehanna National Heritage Area. (717) 252-0229. Safe Harbor Water Power Co..
GPS address: 1706 Long Level Rd., Wrightsville, Pa. 17368, south to Shank's Mare Outfitters, 2092 Long Level Rd., Wrightsville, Pa, 17368
Hours:
Zimmerman Center: The grounds of the Zimmerman Center are open every day from dawn to dusk for hiking and birding the trails. House and galleries are open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Guided tours of the historic house are offered throughout the day on the weekends. Boat tours are offered daily throughout the late Spring, though summer and into September.
Shank's Mare: Safe Harbor Lock 2 Riverfront area at lot, park and launches open dusk until dawn. Shank’s Mare Outfitter hours vary. Call (717) 252-0229) for times
Parking:
Zimmerman Center: Behind the main building.
Shank's Mare: Across the street from the shop along the riverfront in the lot, at the boat launches (public and Lock 2 boat ramp in the park) and park.
Restrooms:
Zimmerman Center: Restrooms are available.
Shank's Mare: Yes, in recreation areas. Restrooms are available in shop when open.
Best Birding:
Zimmerman Center: All seasons, dawn until dusk, along trails behind center and on river. They offer free daily guided river cruises in the summer (book in advance on line) to enjoy different views of the flora and fauna. For best light on waterfowl afternoon is better as sun will be behind a viewer on the York side of the river. As far as species numbers migration is best (May and September) (Oct-Nov and Feb-Apr for waterfowl). Beware of river levels and if ice is building on the river as these tend to reduce the number of birds.
Shank's Mare: All seasons, dawn until dusk, along the riverfront. A family-oriented spot to see and get close to the Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls and Mallards, which children enjoy, and to see the majestic Bald Eagles flying overhead. Park and playground next to the lot. Great location to use a spotting scope for views of numerous waterfowl across the river at Conejohela Flats in Lancaster County. Or bird from your boat or kayak/ canoe. Hiking/birding spots close by. Plus several public boat launch spots above and below the parking lot. For best light on waterfowl afternoon is better as sun will be behind a viewer on the York side of the river. As far as species numbers migration is best (May and September) (Oct-Nov and Feb-Apr for waterfowl). Beware of river levels and if ice is building on the river as these tend to reduce the number of birds.
Site Description:
Zimmerman Center: The Zimmerman Center for Heritage is part of the 53-mile Susquehanna River Water Trail-Lower Section, which is managed by Susquehanna National Heritage Area. At the Zimmerman Center for Heritage at Long Level you can explore the Susquehanna River in a comfortable pontoon boat (book in advance on-line)! River Discovery Boat Tours (susquehannaheritage.org) Susquehanna National Heritage Area staff guide participants on a FREE (2021 season) 70-minute tour of the river while sharing its rich natural and cultural history. You will experience the joy of being on the water, hearing stories of the river, and viewing beautiful scenery and wildlife. You can see Bald Eagles, Herons, Cormorants, plus many waterfowl species. Across the river is Conejohela Flats, where over 17,000 birds (over 38 species) stop over on their migration from Canada and the Arctic to areas in Central and South America and back. The tour also includes a stop at Columbia Crossing located across the river in Columbia, where you can bird the river from the Lancaster County perspective or explore the city of Columbia. Visit the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center.
Shank's Mare: A very popular area in the summer, with the Lock 2 public boat launch often in heavy use on weekends, the Lock 2 boat ramp in the beautiful shaded park, with birds wandering around, a childrens’ play area and picnic tables, and large parking spots.