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Pennsylvania State Parks

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Pennsylvania
Southwest Region
Greenwood Furnace State Park
Greenwood Furnace State Park Glow Bat © Mali Campbell
This is a photo taken by Mali Campbell of a glow stick tagged bat, hunting for bugs at night during the Masters of the Night Sky program at Greenwood Furnace State Park. The glow stick has illuminated the wings going up and down, the bats ears and the trail he left behind. This is about a one second exposure, with a Canon 20D, DSLR, with a 50 mm lens.
Greenwood Furnace State Park Glow Bat © Mali Campbell
This is a close up photo taken by Mali Campbell of a glow stick tagged bat, hunting for bugs at night during the Masters of the Night Sky program at Greenwood Furnace State Park. The glow stick has illuminated the wings going up and down, the bats ears and the trail he left behind. This is about a one second exposure, with a Canon 20D, DSLR, with a 50 mm lens.
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GREENWOOD FURNACE STATE PARK
GREENWOOD FURNACE STATE PARK
15795 Greenwood Road
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania   16652

Phone: 814-667-1800
Toll Free: 888-727-2757
Reservations: 888-727-2757
Email: park email button icon
Nestled in the mountains of northeastern Huntingdon County, historic Greenwood Furnace State Park offers a unique recreational experience. The park is on the western edge of an area of Central Pennsylvania known as the Seven Mountains. It is an area of rugged beauty, abundant wildlife, breathtaking vistas and peaceful solitude.

The park covers 423 acres, including a six-acre lake, and is surrounded by an 80,000-acre block of Rothrock State Forest. The park office is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday year-round, and daily during the summer season.

A walk through historic Greenwood Furnace evokes images of the community that flourished here from 1834 to 1904. Greenwood Furnace was a busy industrial complex, with all the noise and dirt of a 19th century ironmaking community. The village throbbed with life: the roaring of furnace stacks, the shouts of the workmen, the hissing of the steam engine, the creaking of wagons loaded with charcoal, and the cast house whistle signaling another pour of molten iron. The furnaces were hot (3,000 degrees Fahrenheit) and cast clouds of smoke and cinders into the air, which rained down indiscriminately on grass, people, livestock and buildings, rendering everything sooty and gray. At night, the fire?s red glow lit the sky, probably allowing residents to walk about without lanterns. Greenwood Furnace was a village built around an inferno.
Nature of the Area
Wildlife is abundant in the area. The alert observer may see white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and many species of small game. Duck, great blue heron and occasionally osprey visit the lake. During early evening hours in late May and June, whip-poor-will sing their unique call.

Feeding wild animals such as bear, raccoon, duck, goose, and skunk is strongly discouraged. When wildlife loses its fear of people, these animals become pests and dangerous situations can result. Please help in maintaining healthy wildlife populations by not feeding the animals.
Camping
Camping: modern sites, some with electricityFifty one (51) forested tent and trailer campsites are open from the second Friday in April until the end of deer season in December. Forty-six (46) campsites have either 30 or 50 amp electric hookups. A washhouse with flush toilets, hot showers and laundry tubs is available.

Trailers and motor homes may use a convenient, sanitary dump station at the campground entrance. The maximum stay is 14 days during the summer season and 21 days during the off-season. Campers must vacate the park for 48 hours between stays.
Swimming
A 300-foot sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. A dressing area and restroom are nearby.
Boating
The park offers a 6-acre lake where visitors can enjoy boating. Electric motors are permitted on the water, but gas-powered engines are not allowed to maintain tranquility and protect wildlife. A boat launch is available for public use near the beach area of the lake. The state requires all boats be registered before they're launched into any body of water within its boundaries, including those at this location.
Fishing
You can enjoy fishing in two lakes, with species including trout, bass and perch. Ice fishing is also allowed.

The park stocks rainbow and brown trout for anglers to catch during the spring season.

A valid Pennsylvania state license is required for all individuals aged 16 or older wishing to fish here.

Fishing gear such as rods, reels and bait are not provided by the park; bring your own equipment.



Picnicking
Picnic tables and seven picnic pavilions are in a spruce and pine grove setting close to the beach. Unreserved pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. A playground, snack bar, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts and a ball field make this area popular for picnics and reunions.
Bicycling
Biking enthusiasts can explore 3 miles of trails within this park. However, caution is advised due to hilly terrain.

Mountain biking requires careful navigation as the paths are shared with pedestrians and equestrians.

The trail surfaces vary from gravel roads to more challenging rocky terrains requiring extra care for bikers.

Riders should be aware that some areas may require dismounting and walking their bikes due to steep inclines or rough patches.

Always wear a helmet when cycling in these surroundings; safety must always come first on these varied tracks.

Remember: off-road motorized vehicles aren't permitted on any bike routes throughout the area.
Nature Programs
Interpretive programming at the park is centered on the former Greenwood Furnace and the company town that grew up around it. Archeological work and extensive research has done much to uncover not only the physical plant, but also the social structure of the community.

Year-round interpretive programming makes a visit to Greenwood Furnace an interesting educational experience. Guided walks, living history and evening programs interpret much of the natural and historic resources of the park. Programs for school and civic groups are offered by appointment. School programs are offered free and are custom-tailored to meet the teacher?s educational needs. A Teacher?s Guide to Greenwood Furnace is available to educators on request.
Birding
The park offers diverse birding opportunities with over 100 species spotted, including warblers and raptors. Birdwatchers can explore various habitats such as forests, wetlands, and open fields. The annual Christmas Bird Count event is a highlight for enthusiasts. Visitors may also participate in guided bird walks led by experts.
Area Attractions
Whipple Dam State Park: This day use park has swimming, boating, picnicking, fishing, boat rentals in the summer and the 22-acre Whipple Lake. The upper end of the lake is wetlands that are best accessed by canoe. A variety of waterfowl and wildlife live in the park.

Penn-Roosevelt State Park: Located in the heart of the western section of the Seven Mountains and surrounded by a large block of Rothrock State Forest, Penn Roosevelt is for people who like to get away from civilization and back to nature. The small lake is built in a natural depression known as Stone Creek Kettle. Ruins of the former African-American Civilian Conservation Corps camp can be found in the park.

For more information on Whipple Dam and Penn-Roosevelt state parks, contact the Greenwood Furnace State Park office.

Rothrock State Forest: All three state parks serve as a base for an 80,000-acre block of Rothrock State Forest. The forest is accessible from public highways at more than 27 points and contains over 200 miles of roads. The forest is crisscrossed with numerous hiking trails. The state forests offers; hiking, backpack overnight camping, birding, wildlife photography, hunting and fishing (in season), horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, auto touring, and other activities. 814-643 2340

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
June 30 A Favorite of Ours
park review stars; one to five We live relatively close to this park and enjoy visiting it very much. Very nice place for families as it has a sandy beach and swimming area as well as picnic pavilions and plenty of tables. Small playground and sand volleyball court. Also fishing and non-motorized boating allowed. Some nice programs in summer and a very nice visitor center. Highly recommend.
May 9 My childhood by Pete Smith
park review stars; one to five I grew up in Lewistown and in those hot summers this was the treat. Many happy memories cooling off in those icy spring waters
July 17 Great Educational Programs by Mali Campbell
park review stars; one to five We enjoy Greenwood Furnace State Park - educational programs and hikes. We look forward every December to the Christmas holiday event, horse drawn wagon rides, refreshments and the wonderful holiday ornaments the children get to make. A great place to be!
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Area Campgrounds
Highland Campground
Highland Drive
Mill City, PA
570-586-0145
Seven Mountains Campgrounds
101 Seven Mountains Campground Road
Spring Mills, PA
Locust Campground
475 Locust Road
Lewistown, PA
717-248-3974
Area Fishing Related Businesses
Harris Twp Game & Fish Assoc
417 Torrey Ln
Boalsburg, PA
(814) 466-6507
Linda Morrison Live Bait
1914 N River Rd
Granville, PA
(717) 242-6799
Dan Pierce Outdoor Shop
842 W 4th St
Lewistown, PA
(717) 242-0061
Felmlee Lures
600 Middle Rd
Lewistown, PA
(717) 248-5061
Area Cabins and Lodges
Tussey Mountain Ski Area
301 Bear Meadow Rd
Boalsburg, PA
(814) 466-6810
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
The entrance to the park is on PA 305; a 10-minute drive west of Belleville or a 35-minute drive southeast of State College.

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Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania State Parks

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