Safe Harbor  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  39.9074, -76.3656 Map Page Views:  36,190. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Justin Johnsen, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Justin Johnsen on Nov 18, 2011 Make this area a Favorite What's New Guidebooks (1)  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Areas north of dam are off limits MORE INFO >>> Everything north/upstream of the dam remains closed. Please respect the closure, and support ongoing efforts to restore legal 1access. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

BETA PHOTO: Safe Harbor South's walls parallel old electric li...

Description 

Safe Harbor is a sport crag that was closed for most of the last 15 years. Though originally established as a runout (R and X) trad crag, it is now one of Pennsylvania's best sport climbing destinations. Most rock here is low angle with good friction, with a few steeper lines mixed in; like the classic steep arete Wonderama (5.12b) in Safe Harbor South. The walls of Safe Harbor all face west-southwest, giving it plenty of daylight - very inviting in cool weather. After dark, I've seen groups climbing by headlamp.

Safe Harbor North - that is, everything north of Safe Harbor Dam - is closed and off limits. Please respect this closure as arrangements are being made to officially open it in the near future. There is plenty to climb in the South until then.

Conestoga township now owns the land that Safe Harbor South is on, and access is free and open as of November 2011. Driving out of the crag on a Saturday evening, the Conestoga Wagon Restaurant looked pretty hopping, but as a "family" restaurant I don't think they serve "adult" beverages. Rock Hill Tavern looks like a good bet for recovery beer with dinner. Driving ten miles north to Lancaster will give you many choices.

There is no camping allowed at the crag. The nearest campground is Pequea Creek right down the road. Unfortunately, they are currently only open from April to October. Tucquan Park a few miles to the south might be open in the cool season.

Eric Hörst's Safe Harbor Climbing website has the latest information on climbing here. I recommend reading his overview of the crag before visiting. Eric also helps host a Safe Harbor Climbing Facebook group where you can network with other SH climbers.

Getting There 

From Lancaster, Pennsylvania, take New Danville Pike south to Conestoga (5 miles from Central Park, Lancaster). Turn right on Main Street (3 1/2 miles). When Main Street ends in a T-intersection, turn left of River Road, and you will drive through Safe Harbor Park.

If your party has more than one vehicle, leave them at the park, and carpool from there.

Continue on River Road south for over a mile. Turn right on the winding and rural Green Hill Road. After around a mile, the pavement ends. Follow the road right and downhill, following a flower preserve sign. You'll reach the tunnel shortly. Park your carpool on the side of the road on either side of the tunnel, making sure not to block traffic. There's enough room for many vehicles to park here.

On the uphill side of the tunnel off Green Hill Road, follow a side trail uphill next to high tension power lines. It will connect you to the old rail trail (with no rails left) where it crosses over the top of the tunnel.

If you end up on the lower rail trail, with rails and trains running on it, you're off-route.

Hike the rail trail north to the first sector of Safe Harbor South (around 1/2 mile).

The Classics

Featured Route For Safe Harbor

Autumn Arch 5.10b  PA : Safe Harbor : ... : f. Autumn Arch Sector

This route is fantastic - varied between the upper and lower halves, long, interesting moves and great stemming! Nice view from the top too. From the Rock & Ice guide published in issue #51: "Mega-classic corner with great stemming. Beware - A 165-foot [50m] rope is required to lower off this, and adjacent routes!"...[more]   Browse More Classics in PA

Photos of Safe Harbor Slideshow

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BETA PHOTO: Looking upstream at Safe Harbor Dam from the south...

Heading up into the corner of Autumn Arch