Fulton County offers two distinct areas to focus on when planning a trip: landscapes and hiking trails, as well as places that reveal the region’s history. At Cowans Gap State Park, the lake and trails take center stage; museums, historic buildings, and memorial sites tell the story of different periods in the county’s history. When looking for a place to stay, first consider which of these aspects you want to shape your visit.
Landscapes, Lakes, and Hiking Trails
Cowans Gap State Park covers 1,085 acres in Fulton County’s Allens Valley. Its main attractions include a 42-acre lake, two campgrounds, rustic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) cabins, and numerous hiking trails. Facility seasons vary. The park is open daily year-round from sunrise to sunset; day-use areas close at dusk.
Within the park, the Standing Stone Trail passes a historic CCC incinerator and offers views of Cowans Gap Lake and the lower Path Valley. The trail combines scenic views with a visible reminder of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ history. When planning your visit, be sure to note the different seasonal schedules for facilities.
The sizes of the lakes mentioned also offer a useful point of comparison: the lake at Cowans Gap State Park covers 42 acres, while the lake at State Game Lands No. 53 covers 200 acres. Located west of McConnellsburg, State Game Lands No. 53 encompasses 5,901 acres of hilly to mountainous, densely forested terrain. Fulton County also has more than 50,000 acres of Pennsylvania state forestland, with lakes and streams rich in wildlife and fish.
Museums and Regional History
The museum at Fulton House is located in the original east section of the building and comprises four rooms and a log kitchen. Exhibits include furniture, tools, household items, and decorative objects related to the cultural and material history of Fulton County in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Fulton House was built in 1793 as an inn and tavern and expanded in 1820. The Museum Annex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Winegardner School in Taylor Township offers another way to explore regional history: the one-room schoolhouse has been fully restored and partially furnished. McConnellsburg’s historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993 and includes 144 contributing buildings. The school’s history and the district highlight different aspects of the area’s cultural attractions.
Historic events are also tied to specific sites. Fort Lyttelton was started by George Croghan in 1755 and was reportedly in ruins by 1764. Among those buried at Big Spring Graveyard are victims of the Great Cove Massacre of November 1, 1755. East of the Forbes-Road-Raystown-Path marker site is the junction of two branches of the Raystown Path, including the General Forbes Road through Cowan Gap.
Other historic sites span several centuries. Hunter Mill was a gristmill built by pioneers and commissioned by William Hunter in 1812. At the site of the Last Confederate Bivouac, a Confederate force under General Bradley T. Johnson encamped on July 31, 1864, after raiding and burning Chambersburg. These sites offer different historical themes, without needing to be connected as part of a single route.
Getting There and Choosing Your Interests
Routes 16 and 30, the Lincoln Highway, follow the course of the first public road through Fulton County. Fulton County is easily accessible via Interstate Routes 68, 70, and 81, as well as the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Road conditions and construction can change, so check current conditions before you travel.
Great Cove Golf Club has an 18-hole course, a large driving range, and a putting green. You can tailor your trip to the things that interest you most in Fulton County.
Discover more destinations: Needmore, Allegheny, Snyder County, Dauphin, Greene County, Mercer, Northumberland, Indiana County.
For the overview of the wider region: Pennsylvania.
