Home › Pennsylvania › Manheim › Trail Head for Governor Dick
Trail Head for Governor Dick
4.7 ★★★★★ 163 Google reviews · Running trail in Manheim, Pennsylvania · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Trail Head for Governor Dick's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Hiking and mountain biking trail featuring an observation tower at the top.
What runners say about Trail Head for Governor Dick
“A total of 360° view there was a map and the trails were clearly marked although there was many stink bugs.”
This is a large privately owned natural area. It's about a mile and a half to the tower. The climb to the observation platform is not for the faint of heart. It is safer and easier than you think it will be. However, you need to be confident for a somewhat nerve wracking climb.
Went to the trail head about a mile away from the nature center and walked up to the observation tower. It was a good hike up trail 2 but then switched to trail 1 when they intersected. That part of trail 1 was steep but took us to the old tower house and then to the observation tower.
Multiple hiking trail options, we did the red trail and it was a lot of uphill, we came down the green yellow trail and it was a lot of boulders to climb down. Tower was easy to climb, it’s 12 ladders with landings at each one. Even my 7 year old did fine climbing it. Great place to see a sunset or sunrise.
Short hike up a steep hill to a tower that you can climb to the top of up some sets of ladders, on a clear day you can see Hershey Park from the top.
Trail conditions & character
“Multiple hiking trail options, we did the red trail and it was a lot of uphill, we came down the green yellow trail and it was a lot of boulders to climb down.”
“A total of 360° view there was a map and the trails were clearly marked although there was many stink bugs.”
“Definitely steep in some places, not wheelchair accessible climbing.”
“They even had a porta potty at the entrance of the hike”
“There were good historical markers along the way that helped me understand the history of the Schrocks and the park preserve.”
Plan your run at Trail Head for Governor Dick
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteparkatgovernordick.org
- Phone(717) 964-3808
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Manheim
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Clarence Schock Memorial Park
4.9 ★★★★★ 57 reviews
Scenic woodland park with trails for hiking, mountain biking, and climbing, plus a 66-ft. fire tower.
Mt. Gretna Spur - Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 103 reviews
Trail going through a landscape of wood and open farmland, with a creek running through it, and benches along the way.
Lebanon Valley Rail Trail - Cornwall Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 72 reviews
Park offering kid-friendly hiking, as well as trails for biking and barrels.
Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails
4.8 ★★★★★ 336 reviews
Paved and gravel trail popular for hiking and biking with views of wildlife.
Lebanon Valley Rail Trail Colebrook Trailhead
4 ★★★★☆ 1 reviews