Muddy Creek
- Kristin Holloway
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Lower Chanceford Township | York County
OUTSIDE OF LANCASTER COUNTY
This is, yet again, another amazing section of the Mason Dixon Trail! This gorgeous hike takes you along the water where there are rock outcroppings, rapids and the Brimshire Waterfall. The trail is lush with rhododendrons and is well shaded throughout the hike. Muddy Creek is a popular fishing and kayaking spot but it also sees a lot of traffic from creek stompers and tubers. So it can be pretty busy in the summer. It's also fun to walk along the Cold Cabin section of the trail. All of the summer cabins along the water have their own personalities and quirks.
This trail gives you an option of 2 starting points. The bridge at Paper Mill Road or Cold Cabin Park. If you don't plan on doing the full hike, I recommend parking at Paper Mill Road. This is closest to Brimshire Falls and the rapids along the creek.
If you are looking for a longer out and back hike, I would park at Cold Cabin Park. It's a better spot to leave your car long term. I have parked along Paper Mill Road a few times along with several other cars, and haven't had any trouble, but I have heard from some people that they do tow cars. So, park there at your own risk.
If you are hiking with a friend and want to hike the whole length of this section you can park one car on Paper Mill Road and the other at Cold Cabin Park.
Length: 5.75 miles point to point (11.5 miles out and back) Time: 2-4 hours point to point
Terrain: dirt | wooded | rocks
Difficulty:Â medium to medium well
Activities:Â hiking | trail running | leashed dogs | fishing | tubing
Trail Blaze: Blue
Parking:Â 1 large lot at Cold Cabin Park and several pull off spots on Paper Mill Road
Restrooms: port-o-potty at Cold Cabin Park
Website: masondixontrail.com
If you start by the bridge at Paper Mill Road you will hike for about a mile where you will come to Brimshire Waterfall. This is a beautiful area with large rock outcroppings and of course the waterfall. As you continue along the trail you will hike through thick rhododendron, that form a tunnel like feel, and lovely views of the rapids along Muddy Creek.
About 2 miles after the bridge you will come to more rock outcroppings and rapids. For those that are feeling adventurous, there is rock scrambling that will give you some nice views of the creek and rapids.
The trail continues on, slowly taking you up and away from Muddy Creek. You will cross over some streams and pass by some ruins of an old stone bridge.
Once you reach the point that Muddy Creek joins the Susquehanna you will make the decent down a very steep switchback to Cold Cabin Road. It is about a mile down this gravel road past all of the summer cottages until you reach Cold Cabin Park.
Directions:
To Paper Mill Road From Lancaster take US-222 S to Willow Street
Continue straight onto US-272 S
Turn Right onto PA-372 W, then crossing over the Norman Wood Bridge
Turn Left onto PA-74/ Delta Rd.
Continue straight onto Paper Mill Rd. when the road curves.
Cross over the bridge, pull off parking along both sides of the road.
Do not park on the other side of the bridge, there are no parking signs.
To Cold Cabin Park Follow the directions above, but continue on Paper Mill Rd.
Turn left onto Cold Cabin Road.
Parking lot is where the road dead ends.
