MiddleCreek Spring, Denver, PA

## Overview MiddleCreek Spring is a beloved public drinking spring located along Cocalico Road near Denver, Pennsylvania, in Lebanon County. The spring originates on private property, where the generous landowner has piped the water down to a spigot (sometimes described as a "picket") at the roadside for anyone to use — free of charge. The spring maintains a constant temperature year-round, a hallmark of a true groundwater-fed source. Situated near the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, the spring draws a steady stream of visitors who come to fill jugs and containers. One regular user, Derek Bushman, has reported: "Very clean. I've been using it for two years." The spring's popularity means you may encounter a short wait, especially on weekends — visiting on a weekday is recommended for a quicker stop. Because this spring flows from private property and the owner kindly makes it available to the public, visitors should be especially courteous and respectful of the surrounding land. ## Directions The spring is located at **371 Cocalico Road, Denver, PA 19551** (GPS: 40.309887, -76.195168). **Driving from the west (Lebanon/Hershey area):** 1. Head east on **US-322 E / W Main St** and follow US-322 E for approximately **7.4 miles**. 2. Turn right onto **PA-419 N / W Main St** and continue following PA-419 N for about **6.7 miles**. 3. Continue onto **PA-897 N / Schaeffer Rd** and follow PA-897 N for approximately **5.0 miles**. 4. Turn left onto **N Cocalico Rd** and drive **0.5 miles**. 5. Continue onto **Cocalico Rd** for about **1.1 miles**. The spring will be on your **right** at 371 Cocalico Rd. **Key landmark:** As you travel Cocalico Road, watch for the **second wooden sign** for "Middle Creek Sanctuary." Once you pass it and the road begins to descend, the spring spigot will appear on your right-hand side. ## What to Expect The spring is accessible **24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year**. You'll find a pipe or spigot at the roadside where water flows continuously. The setup is simple and utilitarian — bring your own containers to fill. Because the spring is well-known locally, it can get busy, particularly on weekends. Don't be surprised if you need to wait your turn. For a more relaxed experience, plan your visit for a weekday. The area around Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is scenic, especially during waterfowl migration season (late February through March), so you can combine a spring water run with some excellent wildlife viewing. The water has been reported by regular users to be very clean and consistently cold year-round, thanks to its underground source. As with any natural spring, water quality can vary over time, and no independent testing data is currently available for this site.