Cumberland: Nature, Trails and History

In Cumberland County, trails and nature observation go hand in hand with museums, historic sites and events. Options range from routes of varying lengths to scenic areas and cultural programs.

Trails and Water

Cumberland County has nearly 200 miles of trails. The Appalachian Trail crosses the county from the ridge of Blue Mountain, through the valley and over South Mountain, then continues until it exits into Franklin County. Another option for planning a route is the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail: it runs for nearly 13 miles from downtown Shippensburg toward Newville and is wheelchair accessible. As future extensions may change the route, check the current trail before your visit.

The 2.5-mile Flat Rock Trail begins in Colonel Denning State Park. It leads to the summit of Blue Mountain in Tuscarora State Forest. This makes for a route to the mountain summit that can be compared with nearly 13 miles on the Rail Trail. There are also opportunities for boating and fishing on three major waterways.

Natural Areas and Views

Mount Holly Marsh Preserve encompasses 900 acres: 700 acres of upland forest and 200 acres of marshland. About 7 miles of trails are suitable for hiking and observing birds, plants and other wildlife. The preserve is open from sunrise to sunset; check its hours before you arrive.

Colonel Denning State Park in north-central Cumberland County encompasses 273 acres of forest and a 3.5-acre lake. Flat Rock is a natural rock outcrop in the park and offers a viewpoint overlooking Cumberland Valley. The 696-acre Pine Grove Furnace State Park is home to Laurel Lake and Fuller Lake. The park is located at the northern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the area known as South Mountain. It is also home to the Appalachian Trail Museum, considered the first hiking and trekking museum in the United States.

Kings Gap Environmental Education Center offers panoramic views of Cumberland Valley and 16 miles of hiking trails open year-round. Wildlife is also part of the area: Kings Gap provides habitat for white-tailed deer, turkeys, fox squirrels, various reptiles, and black and turkey vultures. The 16 miles of trails at Kings Gap and the approximately 7 miles at Mount Holly Marsh Preserve offer different scales for planning a day; nature observation is also an explicit part of the trail experience at the preserve.

Museums and History

Visitors have free access to exhibits and research facilities at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. The Army Heritage Trail can be walked from sunrise to sunset; buildings along the trail are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As hours may change, check them before your visit.

The Museum of Cumberland County History is open to everyone and operates on a “pay what you can” basis. Self-guided visits take you through permanent exhibits and themed galleries, including those on the Carlisle Indian School and folk art. Admission information and hours may change; check the latest details before your visit.

The historic Camp Michaux site is in Cooke Township, on the slopes of South Mountain, along Michaux Road in Michaux State Forest. Official trails have been established at the site and can be followed with the book Self-Guided Camp Michaux Walking Tour. Two Mile House adds a specific date to the historic sites: the historic tavern was built by John Given in 1820.

The Carlisle Indian Industrial School was founded in October 1879 and was based at Carlisle Barracks. Its purpose was to assimilate students into the majority culture. This history is also represented in the exhibits on the Carlisle Indian School at the Museum of Cumberland County History.

Events and Cultural Programs

Carlisle Fairgrounds is an 82-acre event venue with four exhibition halls, a stage and a grandstand. The grounds host concerts, fireworks, RV shows and automotive events, among other activities. It also hosts Carlisle Events’ annual car show and automotive flea market season, which concludes with Fall Carlisle. Individual event dates may change, so check the latest dates before your trip.

Carlisle Summerfair is an annual community-wide celebration featuring free, family-friendly events. These include concerts, an arts and crafts show, a fishing contest and sporting events; dates and individual activities may vary. In Shippensburg, the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University is a regional theater with 1,500 seats and a year-round program. Specific performance dates vary.

Discover more destinations: Enola, New Cumberland, Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, Shippensburg, Camp Hill, Wormleysburg, Boiling Springs.

For the broader travel overview: Pennsylvania.