Cumberland Valley's lush woodlands and fields make it a hunter’s paradise for spotting common game like deer, squirrels, and turkey. As you plan your next hunting trip, brush up on everything you need to know about licenses, gear, and safety for an effortless weekend getaway, plus the best post-hunt activities to weave into your itinerary.
Click here to view the approved 2026-2027 hunting and trapping season dates.
Hunting Opportunities
Three State Game Lands combine to offer more than 4,000 acres for hunting.
State Game Lands #305 boasts 730 acres with dirt paths through less-traveled areas. Elevations range from 560 feet near Old Town Run to 1,223 feet on a high knob in the tract's southeastern part. The terrain is gently rolling, and 99% of the acreage is forested. A PGC service road provides good interior access and features two designated parking areas and several pull-offs. Pedestrian access is available using the Appalachian Trail adjacent to SGL 305 on the east.
State Game Lands #169 covers an expansive 2,500 acres in the northwestern part of the county and consists of fertile agricultural fields interspersed with woodlots, bottomland forests, impoundments, and herbaceous openings. Access to SGL #169 is excellent, with 10 designated public parking areas and numerous interior service roads. Hunters will find considerable deer, turkey, and small game. The numerous impoundments contain a variety of warm-water fish species and are open for fishing. Propagation areas are also open for fishing outside the seasonally restricted entry date.
State Game Lands #230 features 1,083 acres on two separate tracts in northcentral Cumberland County and southcentral Perry County near the village of Carlisle Springs (Cumberland County). The surrounding landscape includes low wooded ridges, fertile adjacent agricultural lands, and developed areas. Elevations range from 460 feet above mean sea level along the drainage that feeds Wertz Run to approximately 1,470 feet at the Blue Mountain summit. Deciduous and coniferous forests cover 939 acres. Public access to the larger tract of SGL #230230 is excellent, with eight parking areas along State Route 944 (Enola Road). PGC service roads provide pedestrian access to the tract interior. The smaller tract on Blue Mountain is accessible only on foot.
SGL #230 has a shooting range complex that includes shooting benches, target holders and backstops, and parking areas. The facilities accommodate rifles at 100, 200, and 300 yards, and handguns at 10, 25, and 50 yards. A separate 50-yard range accommodates law enforcement training. This range is in such demand that use is by reservation only, handled by the Southcentral Region Office.
SGL 230 is located in an area with abundant horse stables and farms. All three gravel roads in the southern parcel have been designated as trails open to horse and bike travel. In addition, the Tuscarora Trail, a hiking trail restricted to foot travel, bisects the northern parcel along the Blue Mountain ridge. The Tuscarora Trail is blazed with orange paint; it runs about 220 miles through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia and connects with the Appalachian Trail at both ends.
Licenses, Safety and Gear
Hunting enthusiasts need a general hunting license to legally hunt in Pennsylvania. You can obtain this license through the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Depending on the game you plan to hunt, you may also need species-specific permits, like for deer.
In addition to securing the right hunting licenses, hunters should have the right gear for visibility and safety. Be sure to pack a blaze orange hat and vest, a safety harness and lifeline, a sharp knife, and navigation tools like a map, compass, and GPS. Depending on the weather and season, you may also want to pack waterproof boots, warm layers, and gloves.
Hunters visiting in February can find everything they need, and more, at the annual Great American Outdoor Show, which hosts nearly 1,000 exhibitors over nine days to celebrate hunting, fishing, and outdoor traditions, at the PA Farm Show Complex in nearby Harrisburg.
Where to Stay and Eat
Cumberland Valley offers a variety of lodging options for all travel styles and budgets. Choose from traditional hotels and suites, cozy B&Bs, vacation rentals, and campgrounds for a comfortable stay with easy, convenient access to the three State Game Lands.
Fuel up before and after hunts at Cumberland Valley restaurants that cater to all tastes and culinary styles. It’s easy to satisfy any craving at more than 250 restaurants dotted throughout the region, offering all types of cuisine. If you’d rather grab a quick meal than linger over lunch, we’re also home to many fast food favorites and chain restaurants that serve quick and accessible meals on the go.
Post-Hunt Activities
While you’re here, take time to enjoy the many diverse pleasures Cumberland Valley offers.
Spend an afternoon exploring the Cumberland Valley Beer Trail, where you can discover distinctive local flavors from more than 25 breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries. Or, learn more about Revolutionary War Trail history in Cumberland Valley along Patriots' Path.
Of course, plenty of other outdoor opportunities let you soak in this region's majestic beauty. Hike the many paths of the nationally acclaimed Appalachian Trail or try your hand at three of the world’s most popular fly-fishing destinations.
Turning a hunting trip into a weekend getaway has never been easier. Plan your perfect escape today with adventures and unforgettable experiences you’ll find only in Cumberland Valley.
