Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground

This was a cool campground.....if you are planning to use your cellphone at this one, probably not going to happen.  It's definitely off grid!  It's located at the halfway point on the AT.  You can get net at the camp store, but that will be it.  If you own a camper or larger, the sites are a bit challenging to park to say the very least, however they were a nice size!  The store is really just a small carry out with a few things, so bring everything you are planning to have in with you.  It's a pretty decent piece out to civilization.  Also, bring stuff for bugs, such as citronella or PIC's.  We found it buggy where we were.  Nice shaded sites, it was just a chill weekend for us.  We would like to try this one again in time to do some of the hikes and swim.  Toilets were clean and so was the bathhouse.

My wife and I had a great weekend at PGSP. The campsites are nice. Very quiet. Plenty to do. Appalachian trails with moderate level hike

Great small campground in South-central PA.  Sites are nicely spaced except for a few that are tucked into a few odd-shaped places.  I stayed in site 21, which was on an outside loop with a lot of space.  Campground seems very well maintained and the hosts were very friendly and active.  I wasn't there on a busy night, but nice to know it is a place where the hosts are trying to keep a relaxing atmosphere.  Nearly everything is in the woods so there's lots of shade during the warm seasons.  There's a fire ring, picnic table, lantern hanger and generous tent pad.  There's also room in many outside loop sites to set up in the woods.  Very quiet and relaxing evening.

Bathrooms feel very modern and there is a combination of a traditional shower/bathroom center and a separate bathroom only area with 4 private bathrooms (though now showers).  Showers were clean and had hot water, though when you press the button for water, it only runs for about 10 seconds.  So you really have to just hold the water on while you shower one-handed.  I think there was a 1-car per site rule while I was there.

Firewood is on-site for $5 for a six-piece bundle, with kindling available.  Wood lit right up for me.  The park has a general store, swimming lake, Appalachian Trail Museum, Park office and a few other historic buildings so there's a lot to do.  Just take note that everything closes at 4 PM.  The park is just north of the halfway point of the AT and is a popular place for hikers to stop and take a slow or zero day.  The museum is interesting if you have any interest in the AT and very knowledgeable host.

This campground is SO much fun. There are a ton of different activities to do.

Loved it here!! Impressed with the large flat sites and clean facilities. There was a crew there cleaning bath rooms every day over the weekend we were visiting. Very cute swimming areas right up the road from camp ground that has bathrooms and snack bar. Within walking distance is the museums, furnace, and camp store.

This park was definitely on point. Great amenities, incredibly friendly staff and camp host, two lakes to swim/fish/boat in, lots of trails to bike or hike on, nice DRY firewood! The campgrounds have plenty of shade to keep you cool even when it gets hot. And when it gets got, they’ve got multiple stores and snack bars that serve tasty Hershey’s ice cream... among other tasty treats. This park is the half way point on the AT, and we got to meet quite a few hikers and hear some cool stories about their travels on the trail. We will definitely be camping again here soon!

We stayed two nights in site #6. The site was easy to back into, plenty long enough and relatively level. We filled our water tank on the way in and used the convenient dump station on the way out. Cell signal is spotty to non existent. There are plenty of trails in the park and two lakes to swim in. We enjoyed our stay.

We found this park while driving south to Georgia and decided to stay for a night. It was full of trails and it’s the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail so you can hike some of it too! Our campsite was #31 in the Horseshoe Loop (no elec/water) near the bath house that was very clean. There are water spigots located throughout the park though. Friendly campground hosts attend the firewood barn and are willing to help with suggestions for stores and and such. Check in and check out is both 3pm, which allowed us to spend the morning hiking. Cell service is pretty non existent but there is WiFi at the ice cream/general store.

Dogs allowed at the nice sized campsites. Beautiful trails with old growth forest. Steeple pole Trail has a great view.

Nice fairly private tent sites, clean showers and pet friendly.

Nice wooded state park close to a nice lake

I was invited by a few friends to stay here with them and I absolutely enjoyed myself. This is one of the first parks I have visited (there haven't been many) that have had electric car charging stations! Easy way to stay charged and "unplug" from the daily bustle of life.

This is a great little campground with lots of electric sites and nice, updated bathrooms. It’s at the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail so there are lots of great hikes as well as a nice path between the two lakes. Our new favorite in Pennsylvania!

Perfect place for a family camping trip.

Great spot located in a wooded area. Fresh flowing water in the front with an incline from beside & behind the shelter. There’s a newer built privy up hill. And the shelter is located between Quarry Gap & Tom’s Run.

Not only is it a beautiful area hike through or to tent in but there’s many interesting and historical spots located throughout Michaux Forest that are within hiking distance.

Very wooded and clean State Park. There is an Appalachian Trail Museum, tons of wildlife and a nice General Store here to see. Campsites were very private, and we met two of the greatest people and fellow campers ever! If traveling in an RV you will need to fill your fresh water tank as each site does not have water hook up. The cell service is “spotty” as they state on their website, but hey you are camping.

Campground Review

We stopped at Pine Grove Furnace State Park for a little camping break on a drive to Virginia for a family vacation. What a great spot! We got the last available campsite for the night we stayed - I booked ahead of time by calling the campground office and they were very nice and helpful.

We stayed in site 29. It was nice and level with a large parking pad that could accommodate a camper or trailer. There's also a level tent pad if you are tenting, it, and a picnic table and fire pit. We were right at the intersection near the campground entrance and one of the other loops, but it wasn't noisy at all. The drinking water was right next to our site, which was handy. Bathrooms were close by and were fairly clean, and showers were free. There was firewood for sale at the host site, and the camp host was very friendly.

The park has two lakes for swimming, with a rail trail that separates them, so they are easily bikeable. There are some great trails for running/hiking - the park is the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail! We did a very nice run from our campsite out to the scenic viewpoint on top of Pole Steeple (about 7ish miles). The lake is great to jump in and cool off after a summer run. The park is also just north of the expansive Michaux State Forest, which has miles of trails for ATVs, biking, hiking/running.

The Park also has an old iron furnace (hence the name) with historical information about it. There is an Appalachian trail museum, which was very neat to check out, and the old Ironmaster's Mansion serves as a hostel and event venue. There is a well stocked camp/park store at the entrance.

Cell service is pretty much nonexistent in the campground, so keep this in mind if you can't be out of touch (we had Verizon). We loved our stay here, and would definitely go back.

Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products. At this campground, I tested the RoM Pack by RoM Outdoors. This is a pack that unfolds completely to serve as a blanket, and can also be used as an emergency poncho in inclement weather.

What I liked about the pack:

1. It seems like it would be difficult to unfold and then re-fold back into the pack, but it is actually very easy. I did it once with the instructions, and then was able to do it multiple times after that without them. The instructions were easy to follow.
2. there is a drawstring bag that comes with the pack, and the two outer pouches are removable as well, so you have a place to put your stuff if you're unfolding the pack.
3. The material is very thick and durable, and weather resistant. In a prolonged downpour I think it would eventually soak through, but it would offer pretty good protection for a quick shower (or a little snow!)

What I think could be better

1. The sizing - I have a small build, and with the straps tightened all the way it was still very big/loose on me. The material is pretty heavy, so even empty it sagged down some. With anything of substance in the pack it wasn't very comfortable because it pulled away from my back.
2. When opened as a blanket, the plastic buckles are underneath the material. You have to be careful about what kind of surface you are putting it down on, and I wouldn't walk on it, etc - these definitely have the potential to break.

These packs are a very interesting concept, and I can see a variety of uses, particularly for people who may be out in the woods in one place for an extended period of time and don't need to carry a lot of gear in the bag (hunters come to mind for sure). I don't think this would be comfortable to do any real hiking with, but would make a great picnic bag or bag for festivals or sporting events where you can take your stuff out of it and spread out for the day.

great camping...has an area for swimming on a lake. the Appalachian trail runs right through it and is said to be the middle point of the trail. so you know there is great hiking.

Normal state park facilities. Park has several swimming lakes and Appalachian trail running through it.

I have stayed here twice. There is a pet section and a non pet section in this campground. There is also showers and clean bathrooms here. Plenty of trails and attraction to explore. Gettysburg is close enough for a day trip as well as Antetium.

This campground is far enough away from home but at the same time close enough for a weekend camping trip. Nice level spots for RVs. A pet area as well as a non-pet area. A lake with a beach, as well as being close to the AT. Close to Gettysburg as well.

Only 20-30 min from my house. Who can go just that far and have a beach, camp site, trails and water?!?! Love this place. So awesome

We wanted to combine a camping trip with a visit to the battlefield, and this was the perfect spot. Easy online reservation. Camp store for firewood. The campground was quiet and the spaces were spacious for car camping. The Park itself has great trails, including some AT section hiking. A great spot!

This is one of my favorite places to camp! The campsites are spacious! If you are on a site around the perimeter you can turn your chair and your back to the campground and look out into the forest! Many sites offer electric but no water at the site! You will meet tons of unique campers! From people using traditional tents, hammocks and some just sleeping under the stars! There is No shortage in trees here! You will have plenty of room to set up! Tons of shade. Paved roads for bike rides! Tons of wonderful trails to explore! Make sure you take a hike on the AT and then up to Pole Steeple for a great view! You may even bump into a through hiker excited to chat! Stop by the campstore for some Hershey's Ice cream!!! Make sure you pack in your food and all supplies or you will have a 20-30 minute drive back to a major store! There is a lake where you can swim or fish! You can also visit the Furnace and the AT Museum, make sure you hear the store about the first through hikers!!! Happy Camping!!