Caledonia State Park
Caledonia State Park is an 1125 acre park midway between Chambersburg and Gettysburg. Caledonia State Park was home to the Caledonia Iron Works, a charcoal furnace, forge, and rolling mill in operation from 1837 to 1874 owned by Thaddeus Stevens. The operation also included stables, warehouses, a blacksmith shop, sawmill, and housing. The iron works were burned by the Confederate army in 1863 during the civil war. A shop area and rebuilt furnace stack can be seen within Caledonia State park. Caledonia has great hiking, camping, and history.
Feature Summary
- Official website: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/CaledoniaStatePark/Pages/default.aspx
- Campsites: 185 sites in 2 campgrounds, Lodge
- Firewood availability: Near the Forest Heritage Discovery Center
- Bath Facilities: Modern bath facilities, Wash sink
- Hiking: 10 miles of trails
- Picnicking: Plenty of tables and charcoal grills, 2 pavilions
- Other Activities: Pool (with fee), Fishing, Golf
- Cellphone reception: Good
- Dates We Visited: 7/2020, 10/2021
Camping
We camped at Chinquapin Hill Campground in Caledonia. The campground is nestled on the side of a mountain with plenty of shade. It has non-electric, electric, and full hookup sites. The electric site pads are paved and generally are pretty level. The Chinquapin Hill campground is pet free and has 130 sites.
Hosack run is the other campground at Caledonia. It is 1 mile from the day use area and has non-electric, electric, and full hookup sites. Hosack run is pet friendly and has 55 sites. Campsites range from open to shaded sites.
Both campgrounds have modern bathhouses, water, and sanitary dump stations. They are open from the day before trout season(April) to the conclusion of deer season in December
Hiking
Chambersburg Water line (1.9 mi, easiest hiking): Park at the day-use parking area for the Chambersburg water line trial. The Chambersburg water line is a level grassy trail that crosses the park. Since the trail follows the waterline right of way, the trail is full sun. It offer glimpses into the beautiful forests of the park. it is a great trail to hike or bike.
Charcoal Hearth Trail (2.7 mi loop, most difficult): Park at the Caledonia Furnace monument for the Charcoal Hearth Trail. The trail features four historic charcoal hearths and an old wagon road. It ends near the Furnace Dam and pond. At the split just pas the falls, take a right as this puts the steep climb at the beginning of the hike. The Charcoal Hearth Trail climbs about 500 ft before leveling out at Graeffenburg Hill taking about 10-15 minutes to climb. The trail then goes down down about 250ft before coming back up 200ft and then descending back down. The trail down is rocky at times with lots of roots. It is a very nice hike through the woods.
Midland Trail (0.7 mi, easiest hiking): After taking the Thaddeus Stevens Historic Trail, we took the Midland Trail to make a loop back to the parking at the Caledonia Furnace monument. The trail passes by the old forestry museum building and past the park office. It is a level pleasant hike that is quiet and well shaded.
Thaddeus Stevens Historic Trail (0.8 mi, easiest hiking) We parked at the Caledonia Furnace monument for the Thaddeus Steven Historic Trail. The Thaddeus Steven Historic Trail starts at monument and guides the hiker through the blacksmith shop, mill race, falls, furnace dam, and header dam. A self guide book is available at the park office. The Midland Trail can be taken back to make the hike a loop.
Whispering Pine Nature Trail (0.4 mi loop, easiest hiking): Parking for the Whispering Pine Nature Trail is at the day-use area. The Whispering Pine Nature Trail is a short loop trail through lowland forest. It is an easy hike with many things to see. Benches are available on this short hike.