FAQS

There is no admission fee for the park or the Nature Center; however, donations are welcome. The Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm and is closed on Mondays.  Please note the Nature Center will be closed on holidays and 12/24.

All trails are open from dawn until dusk.

The Nature Center is ADA accessible and equipped with an elevator to navigate both floors. The Delta Boardwalk is ADA accessible. Bikes are not allowed on these boardwalks and there are rails along the sides for safety. The paved portion of Wildwood Way trail is also ADA accessible, however, some parts include steep hills.

Bikes are permitted on the paved portion of Wildwood Way Trail. No bikes are permitted on unpaved trails or boardwalks. Please be alert for other park users and for wildlife. Wildwood Way Trail is a part of the Capital Area Greenbelt that circles Harrisburg.

No Electronic Bikes are permitted in the Park.

Unpowered canoes and kayaks are permitted on the lake. The access area is at the Middle Parking Lot. Please bear in mind that Wildwood Lake is a marsh with muddy substrate and there are many shallow spots, so boating can be challenging.

Fishing is permitted at Wildwood Park. All PA Fish and Boat Commission rules apply. In addition, Wildwood Park prohibits the taking of reptiles and amphibians and requests that visitors practice “Leave No Trace” ethics removing all fishing equipment, including snagged lines. Common fishing spots include: the Middle Parking Lot, the Towpath Trail and along the Paxton Creek Bridge.

View PFBC guidelines for fishing here. 

There is no hunting, trapping, or bow-fishing of any kind permitted in the park. Feeding any wildlife is also prohibited.

Wildwood Park is NOT an animal rehabilitation center. Please contact one of the below centers.

• West Shore Wildlife Center, Etters, PA. (717) 268-9574 PA wildlife
• Bird Rescue, York, PA. (717) 843-4914 for herons and other water birds
• Raven Ridge Wildlife Center, Washington Boro, PA. (717) 808-2652 for raptors, mammals and waterfowl
• Red Creek Wildlife Center, Schuylkill Haven, PA. (570)-739-4393
• Mitzi (717) 246-3611 for raptors and owls
• Rosemarie Curcio, Marietta, PA. (917) 922-7541 for bats
• AnimalHelpNow for general information

Lost something in the park? Visit the Nature Center 10am-4pm Tuesday-Sunday and we will check our Lost and Found for your item.

Found something in the park? Return it to the Front Desk at the Nature Center and we will add it to our Lost and Found.

For information on Friends of Wildwood Memberships or Renewals, please navigate to Friends of Wildwood Membership

Parking is available at four locations. The North Lot, Middle Lot, South Lot and Nature Center.

Pets are allowed on all trails and must be leashed at all times. Owners are required to pick up all pet waste. There are trash cans and pet waste bags available at all major trailheads.

Picnic areas are all open to the public unless otherwise noted on the pavilion. No grills may be used at the pavilion areas except those which are provided. Each pavilion is equipped with trash and recycling receptacles.

Wildwood Park does not lead off-site programs. For a list of events please check our Calendar. If interested in leading a program at Wildwood please email wwstaff@dauphincounty.gov. If interested in scheduling a guided group visit, please navigate to the Guided Groups.

Turtles and other animals that have been kept as pets should not be released into wild areas, like Wildwood Park. They can transmit diseases and parasites to the wild population and they may not know how to fend for themselves. Additionally, the Nature Center does not accept or maintain live animals.

The removal of any plants, fungi or animals from Wildwood Park is prohibited.

For all Wildwood Rentals click here.

Restrooms are located at the North and South Lots, Nature Center Parking Lot and inside the Nature Center.

Strollers are navigable on all trails excluding the East Shore Trail, Fox Run Trail and Tall Timbers Trail.

There are numerous volunteer opportunities at Wildwood. Interested in becoming a volunteer? Contact wwstaff@dauphincounty.gov

Click here for more information.