Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area
- Status
- Status not postedDaily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- pa.gov(717) 865-6470
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Dauphin County, about 12 miles north of Harrisburg, Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area covers about 839 acres.
Things to do include cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 8.4 miles, according to the park.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | sunrise – sunset | — |
Official wording
The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. Contact the Memorial Lake State Park office for facility seasons and hours.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (Aspira), Pennsylvania State Parks contract
- Phone
- 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
Winter sportsCross-country skiingHuntingHiking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian Trail | 0.5 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: benches The famous, national scenic trail extends 2,000+ miles from Springer Mountain in northern Georgia to Mount Katahdin in central Maine. Just over half of a mile of this famed trail traverses the conservation area. The Appalachian Trail is reached from Victoria and Whitetail trails.Hiking |
| Evergreen Trail | 1.1 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, potable water This trail begins at the east gate and is a nice loop trail that is good for cross-country skiing and wildlife watching.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| Old Sawmill Trail | 0.9 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none The loop portion of this trail encircles the old location of Baker’s Sawmill, the last steam sawmill in Dauphin County. This is a nice trail for cross-country skiing.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| Pine Trail | 0.9 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This trail begins at Evergreen Trail, crosses the conservation area, and loops near the Pond. Pine Trail runs through a multitude of forest habitats and is named for the many white pines along the middle section of the trail.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| Rock Trail | 0.8 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This trail goes through some very rocky areas. Rock Trail begins at the intersection of Evergreen, Pine, and Old Sawmill trails.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| Turkey Foot Trail | 0.6 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none Access this trail from the western end of Evergreen Trail. Turkey Foot Trail is a loop trail that offers many opportunities to observe wildlife.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| Victoria Trail | 3 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none This rugged footpath begins by the Education Pavilion, runs near the eastern boundary, crosses over to the west end of the park on the historic Victoria Road and meets the Appalachian Trail for a distance of 1.8 miles. From there, the trail winds down to Game Lands 211 and PA 325 for a distance of 1.2 miles.Hiking |
| Whitetail Trail | 1.8 mi | Most difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: benches Whitetail Trail begins on the north side of Peters Mountain, ascends to the top of the mountain via switchbacks and stone stairs, crosses the Appalachian Trail, winds down the south side of the mountain and ends at the Victoria Trail. A nice view of Powells Valley can be seen from a stone bench on the north side of the mountain. This is a good trail for viewing wildlife.Hiking |
Trail descriptions from the park
8.4 miles of trails The trails in the conservation area travel through forests up and down hills. Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area Map
Accessibility
Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area offers a range of accessibility accommodations to ensure all visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 1685 Back Road
Halifax, PA 17032 - Nearest town
- Harrisburg — about 12 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 40.4425, -76.8592
- Phone
- (717) 865-6470
- memorialsp@pa.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
From PA 322/22, take PA 225 north for 4.5 miles. Just before entering the village of Matamoras, turn right on Camp Hebron Road and follow it for 4.5 miles. The conservation area is on the right. GPS DD: Lat. 40.44246 Long. -76.85918
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Pennsylvania State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Sep 3, 2026
- DCNR Find a Park: content-fragment JSON feed used by the pa.gov park finder
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology