About this Location

Facility Overview

The Parking Lot Access Point at State Game Land 246 is an official public access area situated along Game Commission Road and Roundtop Road (State Route 341) in Londonderry Township, near Middletown, Pennsylvania. Established and maintained by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), this open-air, level gravel parking lot serves as a primary access node to over 423 acres of public woodlands, wildlife management acreage, and scenic foothills surrounding Roundtop. The lot features an open surface footprint designed to accommodate outdoor recreational vehicles in a rustic woodland setting.

Because the facility is completely open-air without overhead decking, overhead beams, or entrance portals, there are zero vertical clearance restrictions. The area easily accommodates compact cars, standard sedans, full-sized pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, high-roof conversion vans, and trucks towing small utility trailers. Drivers should note that the surface is packed gravel and natural earth, requiring mindful driving over occasional seasonal ruts or washboard surfaces.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This car park serves as the gateway to the protected natural habitats of State Game Lands No. 246, making it an invaluable hub for outdoors enthusiasts, nature photographers, and birding communities in southern Dauphin County:

State Game Lands 246 Trails & Summit: Direct, on-site trailhead access to the horseshoe foot-trail system leading toward the 925-foot crest of Roundtop, delivering immersive hiking and bird-watching excursions through dense oak, poplar, and ash forests.
Spring & Fall Neo-Tropical Birding: Nationally recognized local birding hotspot frequented for observing breeding warblers, including Prairie Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chats, Cerulean Warblers, and Kentucky Warblers.
Penn State Harrisburg: Located roughly 6 miles west in downtown Middletown, reachable within a 10- to 12-minute drive.
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT): Approximately 7.5 miles west, providing commercial flights and logistics hubs just a 15-minute drive away.
Hersheypark & Hershey Entertainment Complex: Situated only 9 miles northeast via PA-743 and local connectors, bringing world-class coasters, Giant Center events, and Hershey's Chocolate World within 15 to 18 minutes of travel.
Historic Elizabethtown: Positioned roughly 6 miles southeast, featuring Elizabethtown College, local craft dining, and town center shopping within an 11-minute drive.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The parking area is readily accessible from State Route 341 (Roundtop Road) via PA Route 283, a primary four-lane expressway connecting Harrisburg to Lancaster. Motorists traveling along PA-283 can take the Toll House Road or Colebrook Road exits, following rural state routes directly to Game Commission Road and Roundtop Road. Signage provided by the Pennsylvania Game Commission indicates public hunting and wildlife access at the entrance.

Given its secluded, rural location among rolling farmland and forested ridges, this facility is located in a car-dependent environment with no direct public bus or metro routes. However, regional travelers can connect to rail via the Middletown Amtrak Station (approx. 6 miles west) or the Elizabethtown Amtrak Station (approx. 6 miles southeast), both serviced by Keystone Service trains connecting Harrisburg to Philadelphia and New York City. Drivers will find entry and egress simple, with light local traffic and open sightlines onto Roundtop Road.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Free Public Parking: 100% complimentary access year-round for sportspeople, hikers, and general visitors without daily meters, permits, or gate fees.
Spacious Open-Air Design: Generous turning room suited for full-size pickups, SUVs, and roof-racked outdoor gear.
Unrestricted Clearance: No height limitations or low-hanging architectural obstacles.
PGC Trailhead Information: Informational kiosks and boundary signboards detailing public lands regulations, seasonal notifications, and terrain maps.
Direct Wilderness Trail Connections: Immediate access to non-motorized interior trail loops for pedestrian access.
Natural Surroundings: Quiet, low-density setting surrounded by mature canopy trees, offering shaded parking spots along the tree line.

Ideal For

Hunters & Sportsmen: Convenient parking staging area for archery, firearm, and small-game hunting seasons in Wildlife Management Unit 5B.
Hikers & Trail Walkers: Nature enthusiasts exploring the foothills of Roundtop and unpaved service roads through forested corridors.
Birdwatchers & Nature Photographers: Early-morning birders seeking warblers, raptors, wild turkeys, and white-tailed deer.
Day Explorers & Hershey Visitors: Tourists staying in the Hershey or Harrisburg corridors looking for an uncrowded, cost-free nature escape away from theme park crowds.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Hunting Season Awareness: In accordance with Pennsylvania Game Commission safety regulations, visitors hiking during fall and winter hunting seasons must wear mandatory fluorescent orange clothing (minimum 250 square inches on head, chest, and back combined).
Operating Hours: Public day-use activities are generally permitted from dawn to dusk, though licensed hunters may access the area outside these hours pursuant to seasonal game laws.
Leave No Trace: This is an unimproved wildlife management facility; there are no trash bins, running water, or public restrooms on site. Pack out all garbage and keep personal pets leashed.
Gate Etiquette: Always park clear of official Pennsylvania Game Commission access gates, maintenance service road barriers, and adjacent private property lanes to prevent towing.
Vehicle Clearance: While standard passenger cars can safely access the gravel lot in fair weather, caution is advised during spring thaw or severe rainstorms when gravel can develop water ruts.