Greenwood Furnace State Park

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.

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.

Seasons and Hours

The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk.

The park office is open from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. The beach, overnight areas, and other areas are open specific seasons and hours. Contact the park office for facility seasons and hours.

Reservations

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday to Saturday.

Directions

Greenwood Furnace State Park is along PA 305, about 5 miles west of Belleville and only 20 miles from Lewistown, Huntingdon, and State College.

GPS DD: Lat. 40.65047 Long. -77.75439

Snack Bar

A food and refreshment concession near the beach serves visitors in the summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.

Learn, Experience, Connect

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.

Programs for school and civic groups are offered by appointment. School programs are custom-tailored to meet the teacher’s educational needs. PA Act 48-credit teacher workshops are offered.

Contact the park office for details.

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.

Enjoy the Winter

Greenwood Furnace offers year-round outdoor recreation. From November to March, Pavilion #3 is converted to a warming hut equipped with a wood-burning stove to facilitate ice fishing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, sledding on the hill behind the office, or warming hikers after a nice winter hike.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

A two-plug, electric-vehicle charging station is available for public use in the parking area near the park office and Pine Pavilion. Please move to another parking space once your vehicle has been charged.

Access for People with Disabilities

This activity or structure is ADA accessible. If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

In an Emergency

Call 911 and contact a park employee.

Directions to the nearest hospital are posted on bulletin boards.

Nearest Hospital

Geisinger Lewistown Hospital
400 Highland Avenue
Lewistown, PA 17044
717-248-5411