Pennsylvania State Parks

Greenwood Furnace State Park

Adventure awaits at Greenwood Furnace State Park in central Pennsylvania.

15795 Greenwood Road
Huntingdon, PA 16652-5831
814-667-1800
greenwoodfurnacesp@pa.gov

A lake with swimmers at the beach and forested mountains in the background

Important Park Alerts & Advisories

Before you head out to explore Greenwood Furnace State Park, please take a moment to review the latest alerts and advisories. These updates are crucial for your safety and may impact your plans. Stay informed about trail closures, weather warnings, and other important information to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.

Review Alerts & Advisories

Overview

The park is on the western edge of the Seven Mountains in northeastern Huntingdon County, an area of rugged beauty, abundant wildlife, breathtaking vistas, and peaceful solitude.

Greenwood Furnace State Park covers 423 acres, including a six-acre lake, campground, hiking trails, and a historic district. The park provides access to backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, and fishing in the surrounding 80,000-acre Rothrock State Forest(opens in a new tab).

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
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 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.

Park History (opens in a new tab)

Plan Your Visit

Call 911 and contact a park employee to summon medical, fire, or safety professionals.

Call or text 988 to contact a crisis center counselor during a mental health or substance abuse crisis.

Directions to the nearest hospital are posted on bulletin boards and at the park office.

Nearest Hospital

Geisinger Lewistown Hospital(opens in a new tab)
400 Highland Avenue
Lewistown, PA 17044
717-248-5411

♿ This symbol indicates facilities and activities that are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible for people with disabilities. Screen reader users will hear this symbol as "wheelchair."

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

Greenwood Furnace offers educational and recreational programs year-round. Archeological work and extensive research have done much to uncover the hidden remains of the community.

Guided walks, living history, and evening programs interpret much of the natural and historic resources of the park.

Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and organized groups. Call the park office to schedule a group program. A variety of professional development workshops are offered for teachers.

Contact the park office or explore the calendar of events(opens in a new tab) for more information on programs and other learning experiences.

Greenwood Historic Walking Tour

Greenwood Furnace was once a thriving ironmaking village. Today, only a handful of its original 127 buildings remain.

The walking tour explores a portion of the historic district, and includes parts of the town, tramway, historic roads, and charcoal hearths. A free guide to the historic district is available at the park office.

Blacksmith Shop and Education Center

This furnace-era building houses displays on the ironworks and serves as a base for many of the park’s educational programs. The education center is open weekends and holidays in the summer months.

Visitor Center and Gift Shop

In the park office, the visitor center is open Monday through Friday most of the year, and daily in the summer months. The visitor center has displays on the former ironmaking community.

The gift shop sells a variety of items, including T-shirts and sweatshirts, park memorabilia, historical and nature books, children’s nature books, and a variety of field guides for the novice and serious wildlife watcher. Proceeds benefit Pennsylvania state parks.

Folk Gathering

The Huntingdon County Arts Council organizes this summer event which includes concerts, jam sessions, and musician workshops.

Holiday Open House

Held the first Sunday in December, this event features kids crafts, carriage rides, and an antique toy display.

Snowfest

Held in mid-January, this festival focuses on outdoor recreation and features the Juniata Valley YMCA “plunge” fundraiser. Visitors also enjoy a trail run, ice skating, broomball, snowshoeing, a concession stand sponsored by the Friends of Greenwood Furnace, and a variety of educational programs.