Copyright: Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks
Shikellamy State Park
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Description - Shikellamy State Park encompasses 131.5 acres and was named in honor of the famous Iroquois Chief Shikellamy. A friend of both the white men and American Indians, Chief Shikellamy played a prominent role in the development of the Pennsylvania frontier in the early and middle 18th century. Activities at Shikellamy State Park take place at the confluence of West Branch Susquehanna River and North Branch Susquehanna River, called Lake Augusta. There are recreation opportunities on both sides of the water. Each area offers picnic tables, picnic pavilions, drinking water and restrooms. The Union County portion offers hiking trails and the Marina area offers paved walking and biking trails. Union County offers two overlooks located 360 feet above the river confluence. An observation platform on the point of Packer's Island (marina) provides a scenic view of the lake. Lake Augusta is a popular bass and walleye area. Other game fish found in the lake include muskellunge, black crappies, northern pike and catfish. Limited hiking, a bath path, viewing wildflowers, observing unique geologic formations, and power boating are enjoyed throughout the public parcels.
Attractions
- Shikellamy State Park encompasses 131.5 acres. The portion of the park in Union County, 78 acres, is situated on Blue Hill and is across the Susquehanna River from Sunbury. The park was named in honor of the famous Iroquois Chief Shikellamy. A friend of both the white men and American Indians, Chief Shikellamy played a prominent role in the development of the Pennsylvania frontier in the early and middle 18th century. Park facilities on Blue Hill opened in 1960. The Packer's Island complex was dedicated in 1972.
Recreation - Activities at Shikellamy State Park take place at the confluence of West Branch Susquehanna River and North Branch Susquehanna River, called Lake Augusta. There are recreation opportunities on both sides of the water. Each area offers picnic tables, picnic pavilions, drinking water and restrooms. The Union County portion offers hiking trails and the Marina area offers paved walking and biking trails. Union County (Blue Hill) offers two overlooks located 360 feet above the river confluence. They offer spectacular views of Sunbury, Northumberland and surrounding areas. An observation platform on the point of Packer's Island (marina) provides a scenic view of the lake. Lake Augusta is a popular bass and walleye area. Other game fish found in the lake include muskellunge, black crappies, northern pike and catfish. A one-mile, paved combination hiking and bike path is provided on Packer's Island for your enjoyment. The park offers excellent opportunities for the study of local flora and fauna. A walk around the one mile nature trail on Blue Hill will reveal that the park abounds with wildlife. Deer are often spotted. Wildflowers and fungi grow in abundance at different times of the year. Different forest stages can be seen from scrub forest to the mature hardwood forest. Unique geologic formations can also be studied both in the park and on the eastern boundary cliff trail extension. Boating is a favorite activity in Lake Augusta. Unlimited horsepower boats are permitted. Over 100 marina slips are available for seasonal leases from mid-May to the end of September. In addition, a small number of slips are available for transient boaters. The park provides a boat launching areas for transient boaters with 90 parking spaces available for trailer-pulling vehicles and 750 spaces for single vehicles. Climate - Pennsylvania generally has a moist climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Shikellany State Park area has cold winter months with temperatures averaging around 24 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 to -2 degrees Celsius). The area's average summer temperatures range around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 Celsius). Location -
The park may be reached from the town of Shamokin Dam by going north on U.S. Route 11, then turn onto County Line Road. Known as the "Marina," the portion of the park in Northumberland County (53.5 acres) is located between the Borough of Northumberland and City of Sunbury on the southern tip of Packer's Island, at the confluence of the West and North Branches of the Susquehanna River. The park can be reached off of PA Route 147.
LAT: 40.8806408
LONG: -76.8044103
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