Silver Mine Swatara State Park, Lebanon County

swatty · Jul 3, 2014

Hi Jeff, did you ever crawl down in the mine? I can't believe how many times I've passed this opening and didn't notice it. I just found it today. It's the first time I've been on this stretch since the road was closed.

jeff of pa · Jul 7, 2014

a bit too dangerous imo

the water level may be just out of site also

mikhen · Jul 8, 2014

I'm at Indiantown Gap everyday. Can you please give me the easiest way to find this? What is the closest access point? Thanx.

swatty · Jul 8, 2014

Go to the light at Lickdale, take 72 north (about a mile), go right on Monroe valley Drive, after about another mile go left on Old State Rd. Go about another mile, the mine will be on right (you can see from your car) in the vicinity of the I-81 over-pass.

swatty · Jul 8, 2014

Oh yea,,, make sure you take a snorkel, a rope to tie to your feet, and a buddy to pull on the rope in case you get into trouble. Plan on getting real wet & dirty.

mikhen · Jul 10, 2014

I wasn't planning on going in the mine. i would love to check out the area around it though. While we're talking that area, my daughter heard about fossils at Swatara State Park. Is that worth a visit or is the fossil site "extinct"? And again, where would I find that? Thanx!

swatty · Jul 10, 2014

Here is a link to Pa DCNR map page for the park, it's a pdf file. The fossil site is marked, it's not a long walk from the Swopes Valley Trail Head. Have fun.
PA*DCNR*-*Swatara State Park

Old Rerntern · Jul 28, 2014

Just note. When you are driving south on I-81 directly on the south side of the bridge that crosses Swatara Creek you'll see fine reddish dirt coming down the side of the hill on the right. I remember a dozen years ago someone said that was loaded with fossils but you are not allowed to stop or park there. Never did check it out.

jeff of pa · Sep 19, 2014

Old Rerntern said:
Just note. When you are driving south on I-81 directly on the south side of the bridge that crosses Swatara Creek you'll see fine reddish dirt coming down the side of the hill on the right. I remember a dozen years ago someone said that was loaded with fossils but you are not allowed to stop or park there. Never did check it out.

Yes People used to Fossil hunt under the Bridge along 72 when they first put 81 in.
Every so often I would see a few Fossil hunters there.
not any more.

Last ones I saw were on the State Park side about 4 Years ago ?