Beginning with early Native Peoples villages and continuing through frontier ferry crossings and 19th century industrial towns, the shores of the Susquehanna have hosted many settlements over the centuries. The land and water routes along and across the river were essential parts of America’s early transportation system and greatly defined settlement patterns in the Susquehanna Gateway region. 
 
In the Upper Reach, the quiet villages of Bainbridge, York Haven and Goldsboro reflect the river’s rail and canal history. And in the Backcountry, places like Peach Bottom and York Furnace remain as echoes of once-prosperous towns that have passed into history.

Accomac

The former site of Anderson’s Ferry, today Accomac is a secluded community north of Wrightsville and Route 30. It is surrounded by exceptional natural resources such as Wildcat Run Gorge and Wildcat Falls which are designated as Pennsylvania Outstanding Geological Features. This area is also known for excellent bass fishing. The Accomac Inn is well-known regionally for its menu, wine list, river views and former distinguished guest from the Continental Congress during the 1770’s.

Bainbridge

Bainbridge is a quaint river town located in Northwest Lancaster County and minutes away from Three Mile Island. Nissley Vineyards, a popular winery with summer concerts, is just outside the town. Bainbridge is also home to the Samuel S. Haldeman Mansion, the former home of an internationally known scientist. The mansion is on the Pennsylvania and National Historic Register of Historic Places.

Cly

Located in Northeast York County is along the Susquehanna, Cly was historically part of an important stagecoach route between Harrisburg and York. After the canals and railways were constructed, sadly the town fell behind economically. Recently a Native American Burial site was found in Cly.

Columbia

Columbia is the largest of the River Towns, with more than 10,300 residents and has a historic compact central business district. At the river’s edge is the beautiful Riverfront Park, which offers boat, canoe, and kayak access for water recreation activities. You can launch your own water craft at this site or rent paddlecraft from nearby Chiques Rock Outfitters. The Riverfront Park also provides beautiful views of the river and the old civil war bridge piers.

Other great Columbia attractions are The National Watch and Clock Museum, featuring a collection of over 12,000 time pieces, and the brand new Turkey Hill Experience which opened summer 2011.  

The borough's large historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Falmouth

Falmouth, located in North West Lancaster County is a unique River Town with some unique traditions. Annually the town will hold their famous goat races. This is a large event for the town where people come from all over to race their goat. The town really embraces the goat and drops a “goat” on New Year’s Eve. There is also river access through a boat launch but the town offers access to Conewago Fall, the river potholes, the Conoy Canal Trail and a view of the York Haven Dam.

Goldsboro

Goldsboro, located in North East York county, is only a .5 square miles and has a wonderful view of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant. The town was a cultural and economic staple of York County at one time during the days of the rail road, but since the advancement of the highway system the town is now slightly off the beaten track. Downtown Goldsboro’s Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Long Level

Long Level, named for the long stretch of slackwater canal without locks in this reach, has been a popular summer recreation area for boating and fishing for generations. It is located on the western shore of the Susquehanna in York County. There are a number of historic buildings that line the road in this rural village settlement such as the John and Kathryn Zimmerman Center for Heritage, a historic mansion built in the early 1700’s. There is also an 1890’s general store building that houses a popular outdoor outfitter, Shank’s Mare, where you can rent canoes or kayaks for your river adventure. Long Level has unobstructed river access and put-in for kayaks and canoes. For adventures off the water there is Klines Run Park and Native Lands County park full of trails to be explored.

Marietta

Marietta is a historic town located along the Susquehanna River in Northwest Lancaster County. Originally there were two towns near each other but later merged to create Marietta and had a rich iron production and railroad history. Today the rail line helps protects the town from flooding. Although the town has limited access to the river because of the rail lines there are two boat launch areas for water recreation and there is the Northwest Heritage trail that runs through the town and up the shore toward Falmouth. Other nearby attractions include Chiques Rock and Chiques County Park which provide hiking and biking trails and a large rock cliff for climbers. Marietta is a quaint and historic town with lots to do especially on Front Street with many pubs and restaurants.

Washington Boro

Washington Boro has long been famous for its annual tomato crops and holds a tomato festival and Heritage Days each year. The community evidences historic character and a hybrid of urban and rural form that is unique among the River Towns. Bird life is abundant in the flats and river Island near Washington Boro.  The town is near the Conojahela Flats and the archeological remains of a former Susquehannock Native American village of more than 3000 people. A nearby mill building was recently renovated as the Blue Rock Heritage Center and will become an interpretive and events venue.

Wrightsville

Wrightsville’s history is visible in the number and quality of Wrightsville’s historic resources; much of the town is included in a historic district listed in the National Register of Historic places. There are remnants of historic lime kilns on North Front Street as an impressive remind of the town’s industrial past.  Front Street also offers a picturesque view of stone piers of an earlier bridge, burned during the Civil War, next to the beautiful Veterans Memorial Bridge reaching 1 mile across the Susquehanna to Columbia.  Wrightsville has many river access areas includin a park just south of the bridge, and two boat launches accessible from Front Street. The John Wright Store and Restaurant is a wonderful place for food, drinks, and beautiful views of the Susquehanna River.

York Haven

Settled in 1814, York Haven was home to the first canal built in Pennsylvania in 1797. Just off the shores of the town is Burner Island, a coal fired electricity generating plant (Owned by PPL). This area of the river is a popular fishing spot. The town is also home to the York Haven Hydro Station, completed in 1904.