Side Quest: Conestoga Boulevard Tunnel

A recent kayaking trip down the Conestoga River lead past this tunnel tucked beneath Conestoga Boulevard. You can find it two miles upstream from Safe Harbor. It channels the waters of Pickle Run, one of the Conestoga’s many tributaries, into the river before finally dumping into the mighty Susquehanna.

Just past the tunnel is a series of small waterfalls as the stream climbs into the river hills of Conestoga Township.

Rumor has it that in 1904 a legendary large ice jam pushed rail cars from the Columbia and Port Deposit Railroad in Safe Harbor all the way to this location. It is said that the frames to at least one of these cars are 100 yards upstream on the west side of Pickle Run.

Boating isn’t the only way to reach the tunnel, though. The small creek is crossed by the 63-mile Conestoga Trail. Just look for the orange blazes.

Here are the GPS coordinates (39.945306, -76.367444) if you want to explore the area.

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You can own beautiful reproduction maps of Conestoga Township from 1864 through 1899.