The future of the lake at Lake Heron Retreat is uncertain. New regulations after the dam was built in the 1960s means that $225,000 in modifications are now required. Without the changes, DEP wants the lake to be drained and the dam destroyed. Don't let that happen!
Lake Heron is a hidden paradise in Liverpool, Perry County, Pennsylvania consisting of 240 acres of woodland and a 10-acre lake. Families return year after year to enjoy camping, fishing, swimming, and hiking. The lake provides excellent fishing for Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Yellow Perch, and Bluegills. Children especially enjoy the fishing.
Book your reservation now for 2022 and 2023.
Multi-month RV sites are available for 2023. Contact us for an application and to make a deposit on your 2023 RV-campsite reservation.
We respectfully ask that you follow the CDC's recommendations while at Lake Heron Retreat to keep everyone safe.
Also, the CDC has specific guidance for traveling within the US and for outdoor activities.
Dean and Gail Stephens purchased the 240 acre property in 1987. It is located 30 miles North of Harrisburg and just 2 miles off of US Route 11/15 at Liverpool, in Perry County, Pennsylvania. Over the years, they worked to improve the property, building a pavilion, docks, cabins, and RV sites. They have always welcomed families, churches, and other organizations to enjoy the property. Preserving the natural resources and wildlife habitat is very important to them and they appreciate when visitors share that goal: "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."
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Dean and Gail have dedicated this entire property to be a Christian Ministry. After Dean went home to be with the Lord in 2017, the family created a non-profit private foundation, the Lake Heron Conservancy. The goals for this ministry are:
Truly a RETREAT from the world, Lake Heron offers seclusion and privacy. Whether you are camping in a tent, an RV, or a cabin, you will have a peaceful vacation. The Mohawk Area and the Pavilion each have pit toilets. A "Comfort Station" is located in the RV area which contains two flush toilets and two coin operated showers. If you choose to just spend the day with a group of friends or have a family reunion, the pavilion is ideal for larger groups to have a picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery. There is an abundance of the wildlife that lives in the 240 acres of woodland; everything from squirrels and deer to turkeys and bears!
Two cabins are available in the Mohawk Area.
There are 10 RV sites, each with water and electric hook-ups.
Tent/camper site are available in the Mohawk area.
The Erie Pavilion Area is great for picnics, camping, or reunions.
Adults can hike through the woods, then go swimming to cool off or take a canoe ride around the lake, ending with a nap in a hammock. Kids love fishing because they don't have to wait long for a bite on their hook. Kids also love swimming, boating, hiking, and gathering firewood to build a campfire to roast hot dogs and toast marshmallows.
"Rough it" in a tent, rent a cabin, or bring an RV or camper. Fun for all!
Bring your best friend, if you want. Miles of trails are available.
The fish are biting! Share a pic of your catch and you can be featured online, too.
Bring your own, or rent one of ours. Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and peddleboats are available.
Multiple swimming areas are available, including a swim-platform near the Mohawk area.
Maps and more...
Here's a map of Lake Heron Retreat and some of the surrounding area.
And here's a map (PDF) of campsites at Lake Heron Retreat.
Here's a printable map of the hiking trails at Lake Heron Retreat.
Camping/Fishing E-Mail: camping@lakeheron.com
Payments for reservations must be made online with a credit card.
Mailing Address (if authorized, for payments by check, payable to Lake Heron Conservancy):
Lake Heron Conservancy
183 Riverview Rd
Liverpool, PA 17045
171 Barners Rd, Liverpool, PA
Directions:
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Lake Heron Conservancy newsletter Newsletter
Lake Heron Retreat uses an online reservation and payment system. Reservations for the 2022 and 2023 camping season are available.
Contact us for an application for a multi-month 2022 (we're almost sold out) or 2023 RV-campsite reservation.
If you have a question about the reservation system, please let us know.
A dumpster is provided for campers, located across the township road from the Barn. See the campsite map for details.
Fishing is an amenity enjoyed by campers at Lake Heron Retreat. You can reserve a tent site to be able to fish at the lake. Campsites are reserved nightly, with check-in after 2p and check-out before 1p the next day, so a campsite would allow you to fish in the afternoon and the following morning. Fishing is catch and release for largemouth bass, catfish, and yellow perch (or purchase them to keep some). You may keep bluegills. Please take them home to clean them.
Yes, both one-time and ongoing donations are appreciated. See the Support section for more info.
Yes, the public may hike Monday through Thursday. Please request permission to hike by filling out this online form. If you want to hike on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, reserve a tent site for the day you want to visit, or if you want to swim, fish, picnic, etc.
If you did not make a reservation, please do not drive in; park your vehicle at either of the entrance roads, Cree Road or Erie Road.
A map of hiking trails is available for download. Note that public access is restricted during bear, turkey, and deer hunting seasons.
Yes a tent is fine! RV sites aren't limited to only campers/trailers/RVs.
A tent on an RV campsite without an RV/trailer/camper is handled as a normal reservation. Just book the RV campsite you want (without including a "tent add-on").
A tent in addition to an RV/trailer/camper incurs an added fee, and is allowed only if the total number of people at the campsite is limited to six.
If you're creating a new reservation, choose an RV campsite, put a "tent add-on" into your cart (per night), and then check out.
If you already have an upcoming/ongoing reservation, buy a "tent add-on" online (for each night), and then email us with your reservation number at camping@lakeheron.com and we'll make sure the tent add-on is assigned to your existing RV campsite reservation.
No. Many counties in eastern Pennsylvania are quarantined due to infestation of Spotted Lanternfly. Perry County is in the quarantine area, and movement of firewood is prohibited by the PA Department of Agriculture.
Firewood bundles are available in large chests in each camping area, and can be paid for through the reservation website on the Extras tab. Or, you are welcome to collect wood from downed branches and trees. Timbering was done in 2017, and there is a lot of wood waste available along Cree Rd and Erie Rd. No chainsaws are allowed, but you can get a lot of wood from smaller branches by hand and larger branches using a bow saw.
The same rules apply as for fishing; swimming is an amenity for registered campers. Reserve a tent site for the day you want to visit.
Operating a lake and a dam requires a huge amount of liability and financial obligation. These fees allow us to continue to offer boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities to our guests.
