Susquehanna River Sunset & Walk - Harrisburg, PA

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER WALK - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Took a walk along the river after work one day in Harrisburg. Great trails and water views to be found here. In the vicinity of Harrisburg, the Susquehanna River is nearly a mile wide. The Susquehanna River has a length of 444 miles from upstate New York to where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay making it the longest river on the East Coast. 

Fiery sunsets are a common sight along the edge of the river. Consider this - the Susquehanna River has an average daily rush into the Chesapeake of 22 billion gallons of water making it the largest contributor to the Chesapeake Bay. This and all kinds of other interesting information about the river can be found here at the "Visit Central Pennsylvania" website: 


Numerous bridges cross the river at Harrisburg and when I visited this place I walked across several of them and back. Amazing views of the river and downtown Harrisburg are guaranteed as the citizens of the community utilize the river walk and bridges for recreation and exercise each day. 

It is a very enjoyable thing to take a stroll, run or bike ride along the Susquehanna in Harrisburg. The source of the name of the river is up for debate. One source claims that according to local legend, Susquehanna is an Indian word which means "Mile Wide - Foot Deep". The same source claims that it is actually an Algonquin word that means "muddy or winding" current. Another source claims that Susquehannock and Lenape (Delaware) Indians used to live along its banks and that the Susquehannock word for the river meant "People of the Muddy River". Whatever the true interpretation, it is good that we remember and discuss the Native American names that label thousands of locations on our modern maps. These Native American names are majestic and powerful and should not be forgotten. 


Historically logs and lumber were floated down the river to market from North / Central Pennsylvania. Now days the river is primarily utilized for Hydroelectric Power and cooling for Nuclear Reactors. 

According to the Pennsylvania DCNR - Susquehanna River Fact Sheet, the area of 5 gaps from Harrisburg to North Liverpool is a National Natural Landmark - an outstanding example of Ridge and River interaction which begs the question - which came first? the River or the Ridge???? 

Historical Plaque on the "People's Bridge" over the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. JDJ Photo

Biker pausing to take a picture of the stunning sunset: Susquehanna Riverwalk - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - JDJ Photo

Interesting local history can be found all along the river walk - JDJ Photo

Very cool stump carving - JDJ Photo



The Walnut Street Bridge is beautiful at night. When I visited this place and crossed the bridge, it had white Christmas type lights on it that reflected beautifully in the river intermingled with the muti colored reflection of downtown - JDJ Photo

The memory of this amazing, gorgeous sunset along the Susquehanna River Walk in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is forever etched in my mind - JDJ Photo

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