Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Nestled in Michaux State Forest, Pine Grove Furnace State Park's 696 acres offer wildlife and nature enthusiasts a variety of activities. Explore the self-guided historical trail, which investigates the old structures of the Pine Grove Iron Furnace, or hike to the quartzite outcrop at the Pole Steeple Overlook. Take a stroll along the notable midway point of the Appalachian Trail, and visit the Appalachian Trail Museum - the first museum in the country to be dedicated to hiking. Cool off at the lakeside beaches at Laurel Lake (25 acres) and Fuller Lake (1.7 acres) and wander along the easy trail, Mountain Creek Trail, that connects them. There is so much to do you'll want to make it a weekend or a week and stay overnight. The park day-use areas are free and open to the public from dawn to dusk year-round.

History

Pine Grove Furnace was built along Mountain Creek in the 1770s as a traditional cold-blast charcoal iron furnace. Artillery shells were produced there during the American Revolution. The red brick Ironmaster's Mansion (now a hostel) was built in 1829 for the furnace owner, Peter Ege, and his wife, Jane. Peter expanded the operation in 1830 by building Laurel Forge, which reheated and hammered cast iron "pigs" from the furnace to produce wrought iron. The financial panic of 1837 bankrupted the Pine Grove Iron Works, and the business changed hands several times. In 1870, the South Mountain Railroad was completed, allowing easier transport of heavy raw materials and finished goods. In 1877, Jay Cooke and Jackson Fuller purchased the operation, forming the South Mountain Mining and Iron Company. During their ownership, the furnace was renovated, which improved efficiency. In the peak year of 1883, Pine Grove Furnace produced 6,000 tons of iron. Despite these improvements, the business could not compete with new technologies and closed in April 1895.

In 1913, almost 17,000 acres owned by the Pine Grove Iron Works were sold to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Some of that land became Pine Grove Furnace State Park. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established nearby Camp S-51, known today as Camp Michaux. The CCC workers developed roads, improved the surrounding state forest, and built a few facilities at Laurel Lake.

Many historic buildings still stand, including the stone furnace stack, the Ironmaster's Mansion, clerk's office (Paymaster's Cabin), mule stable (General Store), grist mill (Appalachian Trail Museum), and an 1850's boarding house (the current park office).

Things to Do in Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Click here to view the rules from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regarding pets in state parks.

Hiking

Pine Grove Furnace State Park has four miles of trails and connections to longer trails, like the Appalachian Trail. View the entire park from the quartzite rock outcropping at the top of Pole Steeple. Begin at the Pole Steeple parking lot along Railroad Road by Laurel Lake. View more about each trail by clicking on its trail name below.

Trails Include

Brickyard Trail: 0.3 miles (easiest) | View Details
Campground Trail: 0.33 miles (easiest) | View Details
Pole Steeple: 0.75 miles (most difficult) | View Details
Creek Trail: 0.5 miles (easiest) | View Details
Hiker Biker Trail: 3.0 miles (easiest) | View Details
Mountain Creek Trail: 1.4 miles (easiest) | View Details
Koppenhaver Trail: 1 mile (more difficult) | View Details
Swamp Trail: 0.25 miles (easiest) | View Details
Buck Ridge Trail: 6 miles to Kings Gap Environmental Education Center (most difficult) | View Details

Biking

All park roads and service roads are open to bicycles unless posted otherwise. The Hiker Biker Trail, an ADA-accessible, family-friendly trail, travels from the Furnace Stack, past Fuller Lake, to the Laurel Lake area. The trail overlaps the Appalachian Trail and Old Railroad Bed Road and provides access to multiple other trails in the park. Part of the trail is paved, and part is gravel.

Bicyclists are urged to use caution because all bicycling trails are shared with pedestrians. Pennsylvania state law requires all bicyclists under the age of 12 to wear an approved helmet.

Appalachian Trail

Follow the white blazes along a 1.4-mile section of the Appalachian Trail that runs through the park. For a longer day hike, Boiling Springs to the north and Caledonia State Park to the south are each about a 20-mile hike from Pine Grove Furnace. Overnight parking is available for backpackers in a special section of the Furnace Stack parking lot. Section hikers should register their car at the overnight parking area.

Pine Grove Furnace State Park marks the midway point of the A.T. Obeying tradition, hikers eat a half-gallon of ice cream at the general store. Although no camping on the trail is permitted within the park boundaries, hikers can stay overnight at the Ironmaster's Mansion, which is located on the trail in the park. Learn more about the history of the Appalachian Trail at the Appalachian Trail Museum, also located in the park.

Swimming

Enjoy lakeside beaches at Laurel and Fuller Lake from May 1 to September 30, 8 a.m. to sunset. Laurel Lake is "swim at your own risk," and Fuller Lake has lifeguards on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day unless otherwise posted. A seasonal snack bar is available at each beach area.

Swimmers at Fuller Lake are advised to exercise caution because of the extreme depths and cold subsurface waters. Dogs are not allowed on designated sand swimming beaches or in swimming areas.

Boating

Boating is permitted on the 25-acre Laurel Lake (electric trolling motors only; slow no wake). There is a boat launch, kayak launch, mooring spaces, and seasonal boat rentals. Motorboats are required to display proper registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launch permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks (available at most state park offices; or launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Fishing

Laurel and Fuller Lakes have pickerel, perch, bass, and stocked trout. Mountain Creek, which flows through the park, has cool-water species like brown, brook, and rainbow trout.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply. Fishing is prohibited within the beach and swimming areas.

The park also participates in the PA Fish & Boat Commission Fishing Tackle Loaner Program. The public can borrow rods, reels, and a tackle box on a first-come, first-served basis.

View the top 10 fishing locations in Cumberland Valley.

Wildlife Watching

A variety of diverse habitats, including mixed forest, shrub/scrub, and swampland, support a range of wildlife through all seasons. Springtime vernal pools along Creek Trail provide nurseries for young frogs, toads, and salamanders. Autumn visitors may find black bear foraging for food. White-tailed deer are frequently seen at dusk throughout the park.

Watch for bald eagles, osprey, and great blue herons around the lakes. After dark, the calls of great horned and barred owls may be heard.

View the top birding hotspots in Cumberland Valley.

Environmental Education

Several hands-on experiences, guided walks, and programs are offered.

Hunting

Archery hunting is permitted in most of the park. Small sections in the south and west portions of the park are open to rifle hunting. Common game species are white-tailed deer, turkey, rabbit, and squirrel. Hunting groundhogs is prohibited.

Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times and use them only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons.

View more hunting areas in Cumberland Valley.

Picnicking

Many picnic tables are available throughout the park. Charcoal grills, drinking water, and restrooms are by the lakes and historic district. Three picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Furnace Stack and Brickyard pavilions are ADA-accessible.

Orienteering

A beginner course starts near the Fuller Lake parking lot and takes adventurers on a one-mile loop through the Fuller area. Orienteering maps are available at the park office.

Pets

Pets are allowed at designated campsites for a fee and throughout the park. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets are NOT allowed on the beach. Pets may be taken on trails. Please ensure you clean up after your pet while visiting the park.

General Store

Famous as the location where A.T. thru-hikers celebrate the halfway point of their hike with the "Half-Gallon Challenge," the general store is also a great place to stop for lunch or a snack or to pick up something you may have forgotten for your picnic. The store is open seasonally. Summer hours are Monday through Friday from 11 am to 4 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Fall hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Please check their Facebook page to confirm the hours of operation.

Winter Activities

Cross-Country Skiing: There are no specific trails designated for cross-country skiing, but Nordic skiers can enjoy the Hiker Biker Trail when snow conditions allow.
Ice Fishing is permitted outside the ice staking area on Laurel Lake.
Ice Skating on Laurel Lake: A small area by the boat launch is maintained for ice skating. Ice thickness is monitored in this area only.
Snowmobiling: Just south of the park, a land trailhead at Michaux State Forest provides access to many miles of trails. Parking for vehicles and trailers also is available. Maps of the trails are available at the park office.
Hiking: find winter hiking suggestions and tips from Friends of Pine Grove.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

A two-plug electric vehicle charging station is available for public use in the parking area off Bendersville Road adjacent to the creek. There is a four-hour maximum time limit. Please move to another parking space once your vehicle has been charged.

Cell Phone Usage

Cell phone coverage is spotty at best and non-existent in most areas of the park and surrounding state forest. Please plan accordingly and do not rely on cell phone usage.

Stay the Night

Camping: The 70 tent and trailer sites (45 with electric hookup) are available from late March through mid-December. Each campsite has a picnic table, lantern holder, and fire ring. The campground offers modern restrooms, showers, firewood sales, an amphitheater, a playground, and a sanitary dump station. A seasonal camp store is near the campground.

Paymasters Cabin: Available for rent year-round, this two-story historic house has been renovated into a modern cabin that sleeps six people. It features conveniences such as electric heat, air conditioning, a kitchen, and a full bathroom. An outdoor area has a picnic table and fire ring. Guests should bring all essentials such as sheets, linens, and dishes. During the summer season, the cabin must be rented for a one-week period, beginning on a Friday. During the remainder of the year, the cabin must be rented for a minimum of two days.

Most campsites in Pennsylvania state parks can be reserved 11 months in advance to noon of the day of arrival. Campers without a reservation arriving after noon should check at the park office or near the campground entrance for instructions. For reservations, call the Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation Center at 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday to Saturday,7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or visit http://pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com.

Ironmaster's Mansion: The Ironmaster's Mansion serves as a hostel, providing dormitory-style lodging to Appalachian Trail thru-hikers and the general public, and is the perfect venue for wedding receptions, family reunions, and special events. The mansion also features a private guest suite with a queen bed, fireplace, and private bathroom. The mansion was built in 1829 and is registered with the National Register of Historic Places. The Appalachian Trail Museum oversees the Ironmaster's Mansion. Click here for information regarding reservations.

Pine Grove Recreational Guides and Maps

In addition to the maps listed below, the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park have prepared unofficial simplified maps of the park's hiking trails, plus other brochures, including information about the history of the park and the surrounding region.