Milton State Park: North and South Trails (Blog Hike #964)

Trails: North and South Trails
Hike Location: Milton State Park
Geographic Location: on Montgomery Island between Milton and West Milton, PA (41.01906, -76.86255)
Length: 1.9 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: September 2023
Overview: A loop hike around the perimeter of an island in the Susquehanna River.
Park Information: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/MiltonStatePark/Pages/default.aspx
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=947101
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video:

Directions to the trailhead: From the Borough of Milton, take SR 642 west across the first (east) channel of the Susquehanna River.  In 0.3 miles, turn right at the signed park entrance to enter the park.  Park in the first gravel parking lot on the left beside some picnic tables.

The hike: Comprising all of 82 acre Montgomery Island, an island in the Susquehanna River, the Milton State Park visitors encounter today is actually the second iteration of this park.  The original Milton State Park was established on this island in 1966 when the Borough of Milton and the Milton Rotary Club consolidated land deeds on the island and transferred ownership to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  In 1972, Hurricane Agnes inundated the Susquehanna River watershed and completely destroyed the park by flooding.  The park was rebuilt from the ground up using federal disaster relief funds, and the rebuilt park is the one that welcomes visitors today.

            Milton State Park has no lodging accommodations, and boating, fishing, and picnicking are the park's most popular activities.  The park also offers several athletic fields and a system of hiking trails.  The route described here traces the perimeter of the island, and thus it offers the longest route through the park's trail system without retracing any steps.

Exiting the parking area

            There are several places you could start this hike, but the parking lot described in the Directions to the trailhead is the closest one to the park entrance.  From that parking lot, pick up the dirt/grass North Trail, which heads north with the Susquehanna River's west channel just a few feet to the left.  All trails at Milton State Park are unmarked, but the path was wide and clear on my visit.  In general, at all trail intersections you want to take the trail closest to the river.

Hiking northbound

            Some gaps in the trees allow nice views of the river until, at 0.3 miles, the trail curves right to round the north end of Montgomery Island.  Soon the river comes into view on the left again, but this is the east channel of the Susquehanna River, not the west channel you saw earlier.  Such is the situation when you are hiking on an island.  Some young recently planted trees grow in this area, and some benches invite you to sit and enjoy the riparian views.

Bench along the river

            0.8 miles into the hike, you reach the end of the North Trail where it comes out at the park's boat launch and playground.  To continue, walk under the SR 642 bridge and pick up the South Trail, which continues the same general direction as you were going on the North Trail.  Both SR 642 and an active railroad cross this island, and the constant traffic noise reminds you civilization is near despite the island location.  Some beautiful large silver maple trees grow beside the trail here, and the scenery is quite nice for such a developed area.

View down Susquehanna River

            After passing under the railroad bridge, you reach the south tip of Montgomery Island at 1.3 miles.  This narrow peninsula of land offers a fantastic view straight down the Susquehanna River.  The last segment of the hike heads north along the west side of the island.  More large silver maple trees are passed, and goldenrod was in full bloom when I came here in mid-September.  After passing under both the railroad and SR 642 bridges, you return to the parking area to complete the hike.  If you want to do more hiking, try nearby Shikellamy State Park, which offers fantastic blufftop Susquehanna River overlooks and a couple of short hiking trails.