Boxcar Rocks in Lebanon County is a natural wonder: a seemingly man-made wall of gigantic, stacked boulders crowned with a knife’s edge, forming 3D labyrinth.
Boxcar Rocks may be one of the most amazing rock formations in Pennsylvania, certainly in the top ten. This natural wonder is located on the southeastern edge of PA’s striated mountains and valleys near Swatara State Park. The region is a veritable outdoor playground.
Turn off of Gold Mine Rd. at 40.54452, -76.53566 to the generous sized parking lot. After only about a 0.2 mile walk on the dirt road, you will find the side trail to Boxcar Rocks to the right at 40.54608, -76.53203. The turnoff to Boxcar Rocks was marked in the past but we didn’t see any sign or marker during this visit. Not a problem through, because the trail is obvious (and you have the coordinates). After a few minutes’ walk through a pleasant pine stand you can see the silhouette of the extraordinary formation through the trees. Boxcar Rocks is at 40.54465, -76.53006.
Amazing! Have you seen anything like this?
The name of the formation is apparent. It looks as if a crane stacked the gigantic rectangular boulders to create a wall.
The adventure is just beginning. You can climb through and even on top of the formation. Head northeast (away from the boulder that juts out, looking like a ship) and you will come upon the slender crevasse shown below. You will need to climb up over a boulder to enter the crevasse.
We’re climbing through the formation! A bit of a tight squeeze with a backpack, but certainly doable. If you can’t make it up over the boulder at the mouth of the crevasse, don’t worry. Just follow the rock formation north on the outside, and you will find other access points in this 3D maze.
After passing through the crevasse, the formation opens up to a ledge facing south. It feels like being on the battlements of a castle! From this vantage point you can see wonderful mountain vistas to the southeast.
There are many paths, narrow ledges, and multiple levels of boulders stacked one upon another, forming a 3D labyrinth! Some paths allow you to travel further along Boxcar Rocks. Some are dead ends. Others lead you up or down levels. Some ledges form switchbacks between levels, appearing as if they were built for the purpose. The solution is not always straightforward, creating an exciting challenge. Sometimes you need to go down to be able to climb back up later on. What fun exploring!
We worked our way to one of the top levels of the formation, where it was crowned with a knife’s edge. From this exhilarating perch you can see the narrow wall-like arrangement of Boxcar Rocks.
So many sections and arrangements. So many challenges to explore and solutions to be discovered. Such intricate beauty in the arrangement of boulders.
All the while, the gorgeous mountain views to the southeast enhance the thrill of the adventure. The nearest mountain in the photo below is Second Mountain. Beyond it is Blue Mountain. Just to the left of center in the photo below you can see Swatara Gap in Blue Mountain. Swatara Gap was a strategically important pass through the mountains, particularly during the French and Indian War. Even now, Swatara Gap is a conduit for Interstate 81 and Route 72.
The ice and snow made some of the paths on the rocks unsafe, so we came down to walk the rest of the way along the northeastern base of the wall-like formation. The formation extends for nearly a mile.
What mystery and puzzlement; how could such a place be?
In the excerpt of Pennsylvania Game Commission’s State Game Lands 211 map, Boxcar Rocks is denoted “Chinese Wall”. You can download the map here.
Mystery, adventure, beauty: Boxcar Rocks is a must see and is one of our favorite rock formations in Pennsylvania! Although Boxcar Rocks is easily accessible via a short walk, the formation itself can be quite challenging to navigate. Please exercise good sense and caution.
Want more adventure? Join us as we explore the road past Boxcar Rocks: Abandoned Mines and Fossil Finds at the Exciting Sharp Mountain
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
