Caledonia State Park spans 1,125 acres in Adams and Franklin Counties. In summer, you can visit the Thaddeus Steven Blacksmith Shop; occasionally, you can watch a guest blacksmith at work there. The park also offers guided outdoor activities, hands-on programs, environmental education, and special events for all ages.

From Chambersburg, reach the park by taking US 30 east for 11 miles. If you’re interested in another side of state parks, Mont Alto State Park offers opportunities for picnicking and trout fishing. It is the oldest park still part of Pennsylvania’s state park system. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset; day-use areas close at dusk.

Trails through woods and countryside

Michaux State Forest covers more than 85,500 acres in the South Mountain area. The Appalachian Trail crosses the forest for 37 miles. This section is for hiking only and is marked with white blazes. A different scale is offered by the 1.45-mile Lakeside Trail in Cowans Gap State Park: it forms a loop around Cowans Gap Lake. Hiking and biking are possible there, and the trail is also recommended for cross-country skiing. This gives you two distinct hiking options: a loop by the lake and a much longer stretch of trail through the forest.

The Tuscarora Trail also runs through Cowans Gap State Park. One section follows Tuscarora Mountain past several overlooks, unusual rock outcrops, and fields. The trails mentioned here differ not only in length, but also in what they bring into view along the way: the lake on a loop, or overlooks and distinctive landforms along the trail.

Places of history

At Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park, a stone pyramid monument preserves the site of the original cabin and commemorates James Buchanan’s birthplace. Buck Run, a stream in the same park, is home to a native brook trout population. At Monterey Pass Battlefield Park, nature, culture, and history come together: the 125-acre site is in Washington Township in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and preserves a small part of Pennsylvania’s second-largest Civil War battle. The Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum displays artifacts and provides additional information about the battle and the Confederate retreat.

In Chambersburg, the Old Jail tells two different chapters of its history. Built in 1818, the jail survived the Confederate burning of the town in 1864. The museum presents the history of the jail through historical artifacts from Franklin County and a guided tour. The John Brown House is designated an authentic site in the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Tours there are available by appointment only.

Other places offer historical insights from different perspectives. Renfrew Museum and Park preserves historic Pennsylvania German farmhouses. Farmhouse tours are offered from mid-April to mid-October, Wednesday through Saturday, at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. The Conococheague Institute is based at Rock Hill Farm, a well-preserved historic farmstead in southern Franklin County, established in the early 18th century.

Historic Fort Loudoun was built in 1756 during the French and Indian War. Offerings include school tours with living historians, as well as museum and fort tours. At the Heritage Center in Chambersburg, you can explore exhibits on your own about five historically significant topics from Chambersburg and Franklin County. Guided tours are available by appointment; there is also an activity room for children.

A taste of the region

Local drinks are also part of the region’s offerings: the Franklin County Pour Trail connects places serving locally brewed beer, locally produced wine, and locally made spirits. Together with the state parks, marked trails, and historic sites, this makes the area a destination for discoveries ranging from outdoor experiences to Pennsylvania history.

Discover more destinations: Chambersburg, Rouzerville, Shady Grove

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