There's a lot to explore along this tiny lake. There are memorials, paths, art, and places to fish…read more If you enjoy history, the lake has deep connections to the Underground Railroad.

Children's Lake is not only a great place to walk, but it's also a lovely historic area in…read moreCumberland County. I was familiar with Children's Lake and the closed Boiling Springs Tavern, but not with the landmark Carlisle Iron Works Furnace, the ironmaster's mansion, and the artesian well spring that "Bubbles."

I've now hiked Pine Grove Furnace twice -- once on a warm February Saturday morning just to get out…read moreand move, and once specifically to check out the Appalachian Trail Midway Point marker. Both visits delivered exactly what I was looking for: quiet, well-maintained woods and a chance to disappear for a bit. Parking was easy both times. I found spots right near the trailheads without circling or waiting, which immediately set the tone for a low-stress hike. Even better? Across both visits, I saw a grand total of three other people. Three. If you're looking for seclusion and space to think, this is a solid choice. The trails themselves are clearly cared for. They were well-maintained, free of trash and debris, and the recent tree work was evident in the best way -- cleaned up, safe, and thoughtfully handled. Blazes were easy to follow and intersections were clearly marked, so navigation on the ground wasn't an issue at all. One important heads-up: I had zero cell service with Verizon either time I was there. None. Plan ahead. Download your maps, save your trail info offline, and don't rely on pulling anything up once you're in the woods. It's peaceful... but it's disconnected. Beyond the trails themselves, there's a lot to appreciate in the area -- from Appalachian Trail landmarks like the Midway Point marker to the surrounding natural beauty that makes this part of Pennsylvania so special. It's one of those places that feels quietly significant without being overrun. If you're looking for a quiet hike, a reset, or just some time in well-kept woods without crowds, Pine Grove Furnace is an excellent option. Peaceful, scenic, and exactly what it should be.

Charged us $34 for Pine Grove group camping even though I said twice we didn't stay in the group…read morecamping area and that it was a Michaux site, the worker didn't believe me I guess. The physical sign next to my site said $10 per night for PA residents, $15 out of state, the employee told me "No none of our sites would be that cheap". No intentions on returning which is unfortunate because the site was very nice and spacious and had a small fire pit. Don't charge us for Pine Grove Furnace State Park Organized Group Camping when we stayed in the Michaux State Forest campground just a tad further down the exact same camping road.

(This is for the Speedwell Forge Lake which is right next door to the actual park itself.)…read more If you are so inclined for a little light reading and/or mapery, see the below for all of the technical necessaries regarding the lake. pfbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c3a9b1eef46b4ebe85bf2c883fa7f73e&center=-76.30666700%2c40.20333300&level=13 co.lancaster.pa.us/DocumentCenter/View/521/Speedwell-Forge-Park-Location-Map?bidId= www.fishandboat.com/About-Us/PFBC-by-Region/PFBC-Lakes/Pages/SpeedwellForgeLake.aspx Looking for a new place put the kayaks in the water is what led us here. Why? To me, the lake is big enough to give you some interesting things to see and explore, but not too big that you can't see it all in a few hours. There are two docks you can launch from - one on either side of Brubaker Valley Road. It was mid-morning on a weekday and there were seven or eight other kayaks out there (mostly people fishing) and a few small boats that were also fishing. Plenty of wildlife with a Bald Eagle, a deer, a few Blue Heron and fish constantly jumping out of the water. At the far west end of the lake, where it gets shallow and you come to where it gets fed by the Hammer Creek, you expect to see a lot of ducks, turtles, frogs and since you're at the side of the Speedwell Forge Wolf Sanctuary - you can hear some barking & howling and even catch a few glimpses through the trees of a few of the residents running around. Fwiw, I can imagine that on weekends, this place getting very crowded and while it does have some size to it, compared to some other county/state parks, it's not that big. But for a weekday, it was more than fine. Beautiful. Peaceful. What more could you want?

This is a great place to go kayaking and fishing. Looks easy enough to navigate putting in even if…read moreyou are a beginner. First time here, apparently it's been recently drained and restocked. Lots of kayaks and canoes laying in the grassy areas, leading to a sense of serenity and safety, which is refreshing. Beautiful views & lots of wildlife all leading to a peaceful relaxing experience.

It's honestly kind of perplexing that I'd never been to Little Buffalo State Park before. I live…read moreonly about 25 minutes away, have spent years exploring Central PA, and somehow this one had completely escaped me. I decided it was time to fix that! On a rainy late-June Sunday morning, I headed to Little Buffalo with a 5.5-mile hiking route I'd found on social media and figured if I was going to get wet anyway, I might as well do it surrounded by nature. One thing that immediately stood out was how much there is to do here. Little Buffalo State Park offers hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, picnic areas, a large swimming pool during the summer, playgrounds, and the beautifully restored Shoaff's Mill, making it a destination that's just as appealing for families as it is for folks looking to spend some time outdoors. It's one of those parks where you could easily spend an entire day exploring. Parking was plentiful throughout the park, and everything I saw was clean, well maintained and easy to navigate. Despite the rainy weather, there were still plenty of people out enjoying the park, which tells you something about how loved this place is. The highlight of my visit was definitely the Middle Ridge Trail. Marked as "Most Difficult," this 2.5-mile section delivered exactly what I was hoping for. The climbs were steep enough to get my heart pumping, and as the rain continued, the trail became even more challenging in all the right ways. I absolutely loved it! It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning unplugging from everything else and simply enjoying the woods. By the end of my hike, I was muddy, damp and grinning. My kind of morning! I didn't have time to explore everything Little Buffalo has to offer on this visit, but I definitely noticed the swimming pool while I was there, and that's already on my list for a future adventure. Little Buffalo State Park has officially earned a spot in my regular outdoor adventure rotation. It's close to home, beautifully maintained, offers something for just about everyone, and if you're looking for a hike that will get your legs working, don't skip the Middle Ridge Trail. I'll definitely be back!

Easily marked hiking trails, clean restrooms. Nice mix of easy and difficult trails. Plenty of…read morepicnic tables and grills.

I like this park. It is peaceful and there is plenty of parking. There is a monster hill. So beware…read moreif you are not in shape. My only issue with this park is that it prohibits dogs. It isn't just dogs not on leashes. I was so sad to read the signs for no dogs at all. I also read that there have been some geese that are very territorial at this park. That is a more recent situation.

This place is a hidden gem. Birding, Hiking and Fishing is great here…read more Have nothing negative to say.

We rented a cottage for like $150 a night and got a huge place for ourselves. It was 3 bedroom…read morewith bunk beds in two of the rooms. Large sun room, living room and a big kitchen. We went hiking during the day time and covered a couple of trails, played board games in the evening and campfire at night. The trails were well marked. Appalachian Trail(AT marked in white) goes right through the park. There was a shelter. It was the cleanest and best shelter I have seen in a state park. Well maintained. The side trails are marked in blue. You can book the cottages for daily or weekly rental on the website of The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ( or search for pennsylvaniastateparks) General information: 717-787-2869 We stayed at Caledonia House #2 Located along US 30, Caledonia Lodge is a two-story frame house available for rent year round. The lodge has: Modern kitchen Closed-in porch One and one half baths Dining room Living room Central heat Three bedrooms that sleep ten people

Beautiful nature less than two miles from home has freshwater springs and lots of opportunities.read more