Cumberland County has nearly 200 miles of trails. They wind through a landscape where hiking opportunities sit alongside marshland, lakes, and historic sites. The Appalachian Trail crosses the county from the ridgeline of Blue Mountain through the valley to South Mountain, continuing until it exits into Franklin County. The county’s three main waterways also offer opportunities for boating and fishing.
Trails Through Marshland and Over Mountain Ridges
Mount Holly Marsh Preserve combines hiking with nature observation: around 7 miles of trails invite visitors to notice birds, plants, and other wildlife. The preserve covers 900 acres, including 700 acres of upland forest and 200 acres of marshland. It is open from sunrise to sunset; check the hours again before you travel.
At Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, panoramic views open across the Cumberland Valley. There are 16 miles of hiking trails open year-round. Kings Gap provides habitat for white-tailed deer, turkeys, fox squirrels, various reptiles, and black and turkey vultures. Along with the expansive views, the landscape and wildlife give the trail network its own distinctive character.
In the northern part of central Cumberland County, Colonel Denning State Park has 273 acres of woodland and a 3.5-acre lake. Flat Rock is a natural rock outcrop with a viewpoint overlooking the Cumberland Valley. The 2.5-mile Flat Rock Trail begins in the park and leads to the summit of Blue Mountain in Tuscarora State Forest.
Pine Grove Furnace State Park presents a different landscape: the 696-acre park lies at the northern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the area known as South Mountain. Its features include Laurel Lake and Fuller Lake. The park is also home to the Appalachian Trail Museum, considered the first hiking and trekking museum in the United States.
For those looking for a trail with designated accessibility, the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail is one option. It runs for nearly 13 miles from downtown Shippensburg toward Newville and is wheelchair accessible. The trail length and route may change as extensions are added, so check the current status before planning your visit.
Explore and Understand History
The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center provides the public with free access to its exhibits and research facilities. The Army Heritage Trail can be walked from sunrise to sunset; the buildings along the trail are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Since visitor hours may change, it’s worth checking them again before your visit.
At the Museum of Cumberland County History, you can take self-guided tours through permanent exhibits and themed galleries, including galleries on the Carlisle Indian School and folk art. The museum is open to everyone and uses a “pay what you can” admission model. Admission and opening hours may change.
The Carlisle Indian Industrial School was founded in October 1879, was housed at Carlisle Barracks, and aimed to assimilate students into the dominant culture. Another historic landmark is Two Mile House: the historic tavern was built by John Given in 1820. In Mechanicsburg, the museum preserves four 19th-century buildings of the Cumberland Valley Railroad, as well as a log cabin that predates Mechanicsburg.
Camp Michaux also brings landscape and history together. The historic site is in Cooke Township on the slopes of South Mountain, on Michaux Road in Michaux State Forest. Official trails have been laid out across the site and can be followed with the book “Self-Guided Camp Michaux Walking Tour.” In Shippensburg, the Fashion Archives and Museum at Shippensburg University presents exhibits of clothing and accessories from the 18th century to the present. Locust Grove Cemetery is a historic African American cemetery and the burial place of 47 African American veterans.
For performing arts, visit the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University: the regional theater has 1,500 seats and a year-round events program. Dates vary, so check the schedule for your trip.
Events and Seasonal Experiences
Carlisle Fairgrounds is an 82-acre event venue with four exhibition halls, a stage, and a grandstand. Events held there include concerts, fireworks, RV shows, and automotive events; dates vary. It is also the site of Carlisle Events’ annual car show and automotive flea market season, whose final event is Fall Carlisle.
Carlisle Summerfair is an annual community-wide festival with free, family-friendly events. The program includes concerts, an arts and crafts show, a fishing tournament, and sporting events, among other activities. Since dates and individual offerings may vary, check the details for your planned visit date.
For tastings and tours, the Cumberland Valley Beer Trail offers opportunities at more than 25 locations. The number of participating locations may change, so check current offerings in advance. In Cumberland County, nature trails, cultural sites, and time-specific events offer different reasons to visit.
Discover more destinations: Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, Enola, New Cumberland, Shippensburg, Camp Hill, Wormleysburg, Boiling Springs.
For the overview of destinations: Pennsylvania.
