Located on the east side of the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County near Pequea, Pennsylvania sits a beautiful overlook, House Rock, that features south-facing views of the river.
This short, but moderate 0.8-mile out-and-back family-friendly hike leads visitors and hikers through the Clark Nature Preserve to the cliff's edge atop House Rock where you'll find stunning views of the Susquehanna River with minimal effort required.
Snakes: Pennsylvania is home to the Timber Rattlesnake and Copperhead which can be found roaming the forest and basking in exposed rocky areas between April and October each year. While very rare in this area, be on the lookout and give any you find plenty of space.
This short, but moderate 0.8-mile out-and-back family-friendly hike leads visitors and hikers through the Clark Nature Preserve to the cliff's edge atop House Rock where you'll find stunning views of the Susquehanna River with minimal effort required.
Hiking to House Rock
This hike begins at the main trailhead for the Clark Nature Preserve and leads you directly to House Rock. Follow the trail into the preserve to reach the Loyd Clark Trail (universally-accessible) before taking a left-hand turn at the first trail junction. Immediately after the first turn, look for a discrete trail junction for the Ralph Goodno Trail and take a left-hand turn to follow that trail as it leads downhill through the forest. Note that each trail junction includes signage for House Rock, so simply follow the signs to reach the overlook.Reaching the House Rock Overlook - Mile 0.43
The Ralph Goodno Trail continues through the forest as it leads downhill. Near mile 0.33, hikers will reach a trail junction with the Conestoga Trail System where you'll want to keep left to stay on the Ralph Goodno Trail. The Ralph Goodno Trail crosses a small creekbed before it leads back uphill to reach the House Rock Spur Trail (white blazes). Follow the spur trail as it runs alongside a bedrock ridgeline to reach House Rock. At House Rock, there's a short and easy rock scramble that leads to the top where you'll find views of the Susquehanna River. From the top of House Rock, visitors will find sweeping views of the river as it flows south toward Maryland with a cliffside plummet below your feet, so watch your step! Carved into the bedrock are the words "House Rock", which can be easily found just above the entrance rock scramble and provides a neat photo opportunity for visitors. As you traverse the top of House Rock, you'll find slightly different perspectives of the Susquehanna River and its steep bluffs that flank the river's banks.Hiking Back from House Rock - Mile 0.43 to 0.8
After exploring House Rock, you can head straight back to parking if you wish. An alternative route, not show in the trail map here, leads hikers out to Wind Cave - another interesting natural formation along the river. If you follow this guide, the hike back to parking is mostly all uphill, approximately 200 vertical feet, to reach the parking lot in just 0.4 miles, hence the moderate difficulty rating; however, most avid hikers will find the hike difficulty easy. On the hike back, be on the lookout for long-abandoned stone farm structures that were once used by previous land owners like the old foundation and silo near mile 0.75 or the small enclosed room or storage area near the trailhead. Wrap up the 0.8-mile hike back at the parking lot.Parking & How to Get to House Rock Overlook
Hikers and visitors to House Rock Overlook will find a small parking lot at the end of House Rock Road near Pequea, PA at the coordinates provided: 39.874713, -76.364107. The lot is large enough to fit less than 20 vehicles as of January 2026 and the entrance road to the parking lot is wide enough for just one vehicle at a time.Pets
Dogs are allowed only if leashed and must be cleaned up after.Explore More River Views!
The Susquehanna River offers endless opportunities for hikers and nature lovers to discover breathtaking vistas. Whether you are chasing the golden hour or looking for a rugged trek, the river hills of Central Pennsylvania never disappoint. Before you leave the area, consider exploring these short, family-friendly and stunning river views in York and Lancaster Counties: Schull's Rock Overlook, Highpoint Scenic Vista, Chickies Rock Overlook, Breezyview Overlook, Star Rock Overlook, and Hawk Point & Wissler Run Overlooks.Warning
Steep cliffs: House Rock Overlook sits high above the Susquehanna River with steep cliffs and sheer drop-offs. Watch your step and stay away from the cliff's edge for your own safety.Snakes: Pennsylvania is home to the Timber Rattlesnake and Copperhead which can be found roaming the forest and basking in exposed rocky areas between April and October each year. While very rare in this area, be on the lookout and give any you find plenty of space.
