Wildwood Park
Harrisburg, PA 17110
NOTE: The Wildwood Park South Lot water fountain is closed for repairs – please use caution when walking in this area. The South Lot restroom and Towpath Trail are open.
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Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center offer a place to relax, explore and learn. The 229-acre park is known for the 90-acre shallow lake, 6 miles of trails, 1.5 miles of boardwalks and a convenient stop for exercise enthusiasts and nature goers. The Olewine Nature Center's exhibit hall displays the workings of a freshwater wetland and gives visitors a glimpse of the wildlife inhabitants.
This beautiful park contains a 90 acre lake and wetlands, a diversity of flora and fauna, and is situated just north of Harrisburg in a central location. The park offers outdoor recreation opportunities including excellent birding, picnicking, hiking/walking trails, handicapped accessible boardwalks, fishing, biking and more. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. The Nature Center is one of the leading interpretive centers in the area and an excellent resource center for groups, educators, nature enthusiasts, and home-schooled children. Please visit www.explorewildwoodpark.org for current nature center hours of operations. Facility rentals include outdoor pavilions and a classroom.
Fishing is permitted at Wildwood Park. All PA Fish and Boat Commission rules apply. In addition, Wildwood Park prohibits the taking of reptiles and amphibians and requests that visitors practice “Leave No Trace” ethics removing all fishing equipment, including snagged lines. Common fishing spots include: the Middle Parking Lot, the Towpath Trail and along the Paxton Creek Bridge.
There is no hunting, trapping, or bow-fishing of any kind permitted in the park. Feeding any wildlife is also prohibited.
Bikes are permitted on the paved portion of Wildwood Way Trail.
No bikes are permitted on unpaved trails or boardwalks. Please be alert for other park users and for wildlife. Wildwood Way Trail is a part of the Capital Area Greenbelt that circles Harrisburg.
No Electronic Bikes are permitted in the Park.
Get Involved! Interested in Volunteering? Click here for more information.
The Friends of Wildwood Created in 1990, the Friends of Wildwood is a 501(c)(3) organization and is vital to the operation of Wildwood Park. Support Wildwood! Join the Friends and receive a quarterly newsletter and discounts.
Olewine Nature Center Exhibit Hall Planning Survey
The Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park is in the exciting planning phase for a new exhibit hall experience, but we need your help. We are looking for input on the new exhibit hall from our community, whether you’ve been to the Center or not, we’d like to hear from you.
Please consider filling out the short survey. All answers are anonymous and will be used internally for planning purposes.