8 miles (13 km) of Swatara Creek lie within the park's boundaries, which are roughly formed by Pennsylvania Route 443 to the north and Interstate 81 to the south.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is working on plans to further develop the lands of Swatara State Park.

The original plans called for the building of a dam and reservoir for recreational fishing and boating as well as to provide drinking water for the City of Lebanon.

Improvements include installing 10 miles of crushed stone along the rail-trail and work on abandoned Old State Road.

[3] The early history of Swatara State Park is tied to the Susquehannock people, Native Americans that once inhabited the ridge and valley region of Pennsylvania.

Remains of the dam and five canal locks can still be seen on the grounds of Swatara State Park, providing an example of how nature has taken back some of the land that was used during central Pennsylvania's industrial past.

This type of boating is popular at the park and there are several easily accessible launch points along the banks of Swatara Creek.

This unique bridge was moved from Waterville in Lycoming County (where it crossed Little Pine Creek) to Swatara State Park in the 1980s.

The Swatara Rail Trail and Old State Route 443 combine to make a 10 miles (16 km) loop to provide less strenuous hiking at the park.

[4] A log cabin, built in 1939 by local industrial-arts teacher Armar Bordner (1904-1994) and members of his class using materials found on-site next to the picturesque Acrigg's Falls, is preserved within the park.

Bordner opposed the taking of his home by eminent domain by the old DER during creation of the park and was allowed to remain at the cabin for the remainder of his life, paying a token rent to DCNR each year.