Facility Overview

The Governor Dick Parking Lot serves as the primary gateway to the Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick, a protected 1,105-acre forested stewardship park situated in the Furnace Hills region along the border of Lebanon and Lancaster counties. Located along Pinch Road in Manheim, PA (near historic Mount Gretna), this open-air surface parking facility provides seamless direct access to the park's Environmental Center and extensive trail system. Laid out with defined parking stalls and stabilized shoulders amidst towering hardwood trees, the facility boasts an open-sky design completely free of overhead clearance restrictions. Consequently, it easily accommodates passenger cars, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, camper vans, and vehicles equipped with elevated rooftop bicycle or kayak racks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This car park is the focal point for outdoor enthusiasts visiting Mount Gretna and the surrounding regional landmarks. The Clarence Schock Environmental Center sits immediately adjacent to the lot, featuring interactive educational exhibits, wildlife displays, and nature learning programs. Hikers departing from this lot can make the scenic 1.5-mile trek along Trail 1 to the summit of Governor Dick Hill to climb the iconic 66-foot concrete Observation Tower, which offers panoramic 360-degree views spanning five Pennsylvania counties: Lebanon, Lancaster, Berks, Dauphin, and York. Other nearby highlights include the charming arts colony of Mount Gretna (2 miles north), home to the Gretna Theatre, Mount Gretna Lake & Beach, and the historic Jigger Shop. The Cornwall Iron Furnace national historic landmark is located just 4 miles northeast, while the vibrant commercial center and dining spots of downtown Manheim sit roughly 6 miles to the south.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The lot features straightforward two-way ingress and egress directly onto Pinch Road. Drivers arriving from Interstate 76 (the Pennsylvania Turnpike) can take Exit 266 (Lebanon/Lancaster) and travel south along PA-72 for about one mile, turning onto Cider Press Road and then right onto Pinch Road to ascend the hill directly to the park entrance. It is equally accessible from the north via PA-117 through Mount Gretna. While this peaceful wooded location is outside the service boundary of regional commuter buses and light rail lines, it offers immediate highway connectivity to both the Pennsylvania Turnpike and US-322. Motorists should drive cautiously along Pinch Road during dawn and dusk hours, as local deer populations are highly active along the forested curves.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-air surface parking with clearly delineated stalls and wide turnarounds.
• Zero vertical height limits, ensuring trouble-free clearance for high-profile vehicles, roof racks, and utility trailers.
• Direct access to the Clarence Schock Environmental Center, offering seasonal public restrooms and drinking water during open hours.
• Dedicated ADA-accessible parking spaces adjacent to the paved boardwalk nature trail.
• Trailhead informational kiosks featuring downloadable trail maps, topographic route summaries, and park regulations.
• Bicycle racks and staging zones for bouldering crash pads, hiking poles, and outdoor gear.
• Free public day-use parking with no metering, gate fees, or daily permit charges.

Ideal For

• Hikers, trail runners, and nature lovers trekking to the 66-foot Governor Dick Observation Tower.
• Mountain bikers exploring over 10 miles of designated woodland cycling singletrack and fire trails.
• Bouldering enthusiasts accessing the park's renowned fields of rare diabase boulders.
• Families, educators, and birdwatchers visiting the Environmental Center and accessible boardwalk trail.
• Visitors seeking convenient, free day parking before exploring historic Mount Gretna and the Furnace Hills.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking is entirely free of charge and operates daily from dawn until dusk; overnight parking is prohibited. On sunny weekend mornings and during peak fall foliage season (October and November), the lot experiences high turnover and can reach full capacity by mid-morning. Arriving before 9:30 AM or during the mid-afternoon offers the best chance of securing a prime parking stall. For accurate GPS navigation, enter 'Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick' or '3283 Pinch Road, Manheim, PA 17545'. Remember to lock all vehicle doors, roll up windows, and stow valuables out of plain view before heading out onto the trail network.