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Cumberland Valley Rail Trail

23 McFarland St.,
Newville, PA 17241
(717) 860-0444
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Wildlife viewers of all ages and experiences can hike, bike, walk, or horseback ride on the 13-mile Cumberland Valley Rail Trail that follows the abandoned Cumberland Valley railroad corridor from Shippensburg to Newville. Enjoy interpretative way-point signs on the agricultural and Civil War heritage along the trail. 

Visitors can now also enjoy a recently-opened 2-mile stand-alone section of trail centered in the village of Greason, which offers unobstructed sweeping view of both North and South Mountain. This section does NOT connect to the remaining Cumberland Valley Rail Trail. Parking is at 167 Springview Road, Carlisle. Please do not park on Greason Road to access the trail.

There is also a stand-alone one-mile section of the trail beginning at Allen Road in Carlisle that is designed to eventually connect Carlisle to the trailhead in Newville. Currently, the Allen Road trail is connected to the western terminus of Carlisle Borough's West End Trail and provides a link to Dickinson College and downtown Carlisle.

The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail is a designated National Recreation Trail.

Birding: This corridor of woods and shrubs adjacent to farms and grasslands provides habitat for dense populations of wildlife including Belted Kingfisher, Cedar Waxwing, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Meadowlark, American Kestrel, Great Horned Owl, Indigo Bunting, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Common Yellowthroat, and red fox. The Oakville area provides opportunities to observe grassland species such as the Horned Lark.

Surface: .5 miles from Newville is concrete & asphalt; 10.5 miles from Shippensburg Park to Camp Rd is a two-tread trail; grassy, hard-packed earth for equestrians & packed stone dust for hikers/bikers.  

Trail Entrances: 23 McFarland Street, Newville (restrooms, parking, playground, vending machine & bike repair station); 401 Oakville Road, Shippensburg (restrooms are located at the North Newton Township Park, 1/4 mile northwest of the trail on Oakville Road and parking); Shippensburg Township Park, 304 Britton Road (restrooms and parking); Shippensburg Station, 51 E. Fort Street; Allen Road, 200 Allen Rd, Carlisle (for the one-mile section only).

Shippensburg Station connects the business district of Shippensburg located two blocks from the end of the trail and the campus of Shippensburg University. Shippensburg Station is also home to the Cumberland Valley Railroad Museum.

Please note:

  • The map marker on the map is at the Newville trail entrance on 23 McFarland Street in Newville.
  • Cumberland Valley Rail Trail is open from Shippensburg to Newville (plus two miles east to Green Hill Rd.), and a mile at Allen Road in Carlisle. Do not access the PPL right-of-way at other points. Please respect our adjacent neighbors’ privacy...this is private land.

Learn more about suggested Biking Routes in Cumberland Valley and our Top 10 Hiking locations.

amenities
Overview
Things to Do
Information
  • Directions: Access to the Rail Trail can occur at the following locations: Newville: From the north exit I-81 at Newville (exit 37, PA 233 north). As you enter town, take the first left onto Vine Street and follow through town becoming Fairfield Street (PA 533W). As you leave town, turn left on Cherry Street and go to street end at McFarland Street. Parking and restrooms available. Carlisle: Take PA 641 through Newville, turn left on Cemetery Road and follow to end of the road on McFarland Street. Oakville: From US 11 or PA 533 turn west on Oakville Road and follow into village. Park on the northeast side of the road in the marked area along the treeline. Shippensburg: Exit I-81 (at exit 24 or 29). From King Street (US 11) turn onto North Earl Street and go to the first light. Turn left onto West Burd Street and go 1 block. Parking is available in the Municipal parking lot on the left. To access the trail go 1 block north on Seneca Street, then 1 block East on Fort Street. Shippensburg Township Park: From King Street (US 11) in Shippensburg, turn onto North Queen Street then right onto Britton Road; approximately .5 mile to the Park. Parking and restrooms are available.
  • Hours: Dawn to Dusk
  • Months Open: Year-round
Quick Check
  • Handicapped Accessible:
  • Pets Allowed:
Amenities
  • Restrooms:
Family Fun
  • All Ages:
  • Under 4:
Land Recreation
  • Any Length Trail:
  • Biking Trails:
  • Equestrian Trails:
  • Hiking Trails:
  • Interpretative Signage:
  • Miles of Trails: 11
  • Number of Trails: 1
  • Trail Length > 5 Miles:
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