Cumberland Valley, PA, has a ton of outdoor activities, from Appalachian Trail sections and panoramic overlooks to quiet lakes and scenic back roads. I first visited in the fall and ended up coming back again in the summer.
If you’re exploring southcentral Pennsylvania, these are the outdoor stops in Cumberland Valley that stood out most to me.
Thank you to Visit Cumberland Valley for hosting my visit. Everything here is based on my real experience.
Hike a Section of the Appalachian Trail Near Boiling Springs
I’m never going to be a thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail. I admire them. I cheer for them. I will not be joining them. But a guided section hike with a guaranteed ending time? Perfect.
We hiked north from Boiling Springs on a wooded, shady trail. This section is mostly level and easy to follow, though in a few spots the volunteer-maintained path narrows where the vegetation creeps in.
It’s not the kind of Appalachian Trail section with sweeping mountaintop views, but it sits in one of the AT’s most interesting problem areas.
When the Appalachian Trail officially opened in 1937, hikers crossed Cumberland Valley on paved roads and farmland while navigating some awkward river crossings along the way. Center Point Knob just south of town marked the trail’s original halfway point, and there’s still a historical marker there today.
The long-term solution came from geology. Ironstone Ridge, a narrow strip of volcanic rock running through the valley, wasn’t useful for farming, so the trail was eventually rerouted through its protected woodland corridor after the National Trails System Act of 1968. The trail exists here because magma filled a crack in the Earth millions of years ago. Pretty wild.
We even got a quick demonstration of how to hang a counterbalance bear bag, which is very useful for campers. I am not those people. Still, it was oddly satisfying to watch two food bags hoisted out of reach while learning that the local bears, so far, have not cracked the code.
I loved hearing the stories behind the AT. It’s less a destination in its own right and more a backbone, linking side trails and overlooks while carrying the region’s history, geology, and industry. And for me, two hours was exactly the right amount of Appalachian Trail.
Where I Stayed: I based myself at Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs while exploring this stretch of the Appalachian Trail. I also put together a full guide to the resort if you want a closer look at the property and grounds.
Explore Colonel Denning State Park
If you’re craving a little more elevation, Colonel Denning State Park is where the landscape starts to feel more mountainous. The five-mile out-and-back Flat Rock Trail begins here, climbing into Tuscarora State Forest before opening up to a broad overlook of the Cumberland Valley. You earn the view on this hike.
I skipped the bigger climb and spent more time near the lake on the Doubling Gap Nature Trail instead. I really wanted to see that valley view, but it was a brutally hot day in August, and well, I wimped out.
Visit Pine Grove Furnace State Park
I reached Pine Grove Furnace State Park near closing time and immediately regretted my timing. I probably could’ve wandered around for hours.
Long before Appalachian Trail hikers started passing through, this was an iron-making community. Parts of the original furnace still stand, and the old Ironmaster’s Mansion is now a hostel-style lodge.
The Appalachian Trail runs directly through the park, so there’s an interesting mix of thru-hikers and curious day visitors like me. The famous halfway point marker for the Appalachian Trail is here, too, along with the Appalachian Trail Museum inside an old grist mill.
Nearby, the Pine Grove General Store is where hikers attempt the half-gallon challenge by eating an entire tub of ice cream in one sitting. I fully support watching other people do this.
Explore King’s Gap Mansion and Views
Kings Gap Environmental Education Center sits high above Cumberland County on South Mountain, and the four-mile drive up to the Cameron-Masland Mansion at the top is worth the trip alone. The views start before you even reach the summit.
I stopped at a scenic overlook along the way, where the fall colors across the valley were especially vivid.
At the top, I took a quick look inside the mansion, which mostly functions as an educational center and event space. I ended up spending more time on the outdoor terrace than inside the mansion because you can see across much of the Cumberland Valley from up there.
Take a Scenic Drive to the Audubon Hawk Watch at Waggoner’s Gap
I spent half the drive to Waggoner’s Gap wanting to pull over for photos. Even before reaching the overlook, the mountain roads were lined with fall color.
The overlook itself has a wide panoramic view across the valley, but the real draw during migration season is the raptors moving overhead.
When I arrived, a volunteer counter was already set up with binoculars and a notebook tracking the day’s sightings.
He told me he’d already spotted an osprey, four merlins, three sharp-shinned hawks, and a kestrel. The previous day had been even busier, with more than 300 raptors counted thanks to better wind conditions.
Even with only a handful of birds overhead while I was there, I learned way more by spending twenty minutes talking with the volunteer than I would have standing at the overlook by myself.
Walk, Fish, or Paddle at Opossum Lake
I walked the four-mile Angler’s Access Trail around Opossum Lake, a mostly flat path with small bridges, wooded sections, and occasional signs pointing out local birds and plants. Only electric and non-motorized boats are allowed on the lake, so the water stays calm for kayaking and paddling.
Walk or Bike the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail
The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail follows a former railroad corridor between Shippensburg and Newville. The flat crushed-stone path works well for biking, walking, or horseback riding.
Visit Ramp Covered Bridge
Ramp Covered Bridge still crosses Conodoguinet Creek on its original 19th-century foundation. I think the bridge is worth the drive if you’re up for a quick detour into western Cumberland County. Located between Newville and Shippensburg, it remains open to traffic, and you’ll often spot Amish buggies passing through.
The structure uses a Burr truss system, which is clearly visible from the inside. I found a small pull-off nearby where I parked and walked through to get a closer look at the woodwork.
Stop at Laughlin Mill
Scenic Laughlin Mill sits along Conodoguinet Creek in a small park. William Laughlin built the grist mill in the mid-1700s, and his family operated it for more than a century before selling it in the late 1800s. I wasn’t there long, but it was a pretty photo stop.
Final Thoughts
What I liked most about exploring the outdoors in Cumberland Valley was the variety packed into one trip. I could hike part of the Appalachian Trail in the morning, watch migrating hawks from a rocky overlook that afternoon, and finish the day with a covered bridge stop or a quiet walk by the water. It’s one of the most beautiful regions of Pennsylvania.
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