HomePennsylvaniaGardners › Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Pine Grove Furnace State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,417 Google reviews · Running trail in Gardners, Pennsylvania · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Pine Grove Furnace State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedShadedScenicStroller / ADAFlat & fastRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

This 696-acre park features Laurel Lake, Fuller Lake, hiking, biking & the Appalachian Trail Museum.

What runners say about Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (2,417 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 7 mentions

“Beautiful park, nice shower house and clean bathrooms.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“The weather was gorgeous, the views were stunning, and the peaceful vibes were everything we needed.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“Unfortunately, we were there in the middle of the week in off season and things were really quiet, which was okay too.”

I spent 2 nights at the campground while I was enjoying some hiking in the area. Beautiful park, nice shower house and clean bathrooms. My camp site was well maintained. I was greeted with Friendly campers. There is really no cell service. So if you are looking to get away for a few days. This is the place.

★★★★★ — Lisa , Jun 2024

It's a great state park. Beautiful creek, lake and shaded hiking/biking trails. There is a small beach(pets not allowed on the beach area) but there are plenty of other spots to hangout with your dog. There are public restrooms and a snack bar at this location.

★★★★★ — P , Jul 2021

🌲🌊 FIVE STARS ALL THE WAY! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Pine Grove Furnace State Park totally stole my heart! 😍 My son and I spent an entire day soaking in the sunshine, exploring trails, and playing by the lake—and it was perfect. The weather was gorgeous, the views were stunning, and the peaceful vibes were everything we needed.

★★★★★ — Samela , Jul 2025

Amazing park and facilities along the Appalachian Trail. Plenty of nice connecting trails and loops that take you up to some scenic views. Nice facilities and restrooms on site, but nothing once you hit the trail so be prepared.

★★★★★ — Josh , Oct 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 2,417 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 13 mentions

“The weather was gorgeous, the views were stunning, and the peaceful vibes were everything we needed.”

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🚻 Restrooms 7 mentions

“Nice facilities and restrooms on site, but nothing once you hit the trail so be prepared.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Unfortunately, we were there in the middle of the week in off season and things were really quiet, which was okay too.”

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Flat & fast 4 mentions

“The park has a variety of trails to hike from the very difficult steep hike up to the vista to flat paved shared trail.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“Beautiful creek, lake and shaded hiking/biking trails.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“The park has a variety of trails to hike from the very difficult steep hike up to the vista to flat paved shared trail.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Pine Grove Furnace State Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitepa.gov
  • Phone(717) 486-7174
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–9 PM
Thursday 8 AM–9 PM
Friday 8 AM–9 PM
Saturday 8 AM–9 PM
Sunday 8 AM–9 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Pine Grove Furnace State Park

1100 Pine Grove Rd, Gardners, PA 17324

Get directions

Running trails near Gardners

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Kings Gap Environmental Education Center

4.8 ★★★★★ 329 reviews

Carlisle, PA

PavedScenic

Sprawling state park with 16 miles of scenic hiking trails, plus an educational program center.

4.4 miles away

Michaux State Forest

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,117 reviews

Shippensburg, PA

Natural surfaceScenic

Woodlands area with multi-use trails, picnic pavilions, primitive campsites & a 9-hole golf course.

8.8 miles away

Southampton Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 253 reviews

Shippensburg, PA

Clean recreation area featuring baseball fields, basketball courts, playgrounds and picnic spots, plus walking trails.

9.9 miles away

Abigail Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 45 reviews

Fayetteville, PA

5.8 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

10.3 miles away

South Middleton Township Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 207 reviews

Boiling Springs, PA

Large park offering clean bathrooms, along with playgrounds for kids, paved walkways, splash pad and a pavilion.

10.5 miles away

Beaver Trail Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 39 reviews

Fayetteville, PA

MixedScenic

Kid-friendly hiking area with a trail around a lake offering water views.

10.5 miles away

All running trails in Gardners, PA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.