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Pennsylvania
711

Pennsylvania State Parks

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USA Parks
Pennsylvania
South-Central Region
Caledonia State Park
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Caledonia State Park © Eric Harbaugh
Caledonia State Park © Donna Davis
Caledonia State Park © Donna Davis
Caledonia State Park © Donna Davis
Caledonia State Park © Eric Harbaugh
Caledonia State Park © Donna Davis
Caledonia State Park © Donna Davis
Caledonia State Park © Donna Davis
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CALEDONIA STATE PARK
CALEDONIA STATE PARK
101 Pine Grove Road
Fayetteville, Pennsylvania   17222

Phone: 717-352-2161
Toll Free: 888-727-2757
Reservations: 888-727-2757
Email: park email button icon
The 1,125-acre Caledonia State Park is in Adams and Franklin counties, midway between Chambersburg and Gettysburg on US 30. Caledonia is in the northernmost section of the Blue Ridge Mountains known locally as South Mountain. Blue Mountain, the easternmost ridge of the Allegheny Mountains, is to the west and northwest of the park across a large low, rolling, fertile valley known as the Great Valley. South Mountain is mostly composed of a hard rock called quartzite. The valleys on either side are underlined with limestone and shale. The soil is ideal for fruit production, proven by the abundance of orchards in the surrounding area.
History of the Area
The park is named for Thaddeus Stevens? charcoal iron furnace, named Caledonia, which began operation in 1837. The scenic watercourse along PA 233 was once the millrace that operated the furnace waterwheel.

The Honorable Thaddeus Stevens was born in Caledonia County, Vermont. Caledonia is the name given to ancient Scotland by the invading Romans. Thaddeus Stevens became a famous abolitionist, statesman and father of the public school system in Pennsylvania.

In June of 1863, Confederate cavalry under the command of General J. A. Early destroyed the iron furnace. Historians theorize that the furnace was destroyed not just to slow the industrial power of the northern states, but also because of Stevens? views opposing slavery.

Pastures were used as field hospitals for the wounded taken from the Gettysburg Battlefield. Today they are playfields for visiting children.

The iron furnace changed hands numerous times after Stevens? death. In 1902, the land was sold to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Chambersburg and Gettysburg Trolley Company leased the park and built a trolley through what is now the day-use area. The company built various amusements in the park. In 1922, Robert Miller built a nine-hole golf course. This popular, challenging course now has 18 holes.

In 1927, the Pennsylvania Alpine Club reconstructed the stack of the old furnace as a reduced scale monument. The reconstructed stack and blacksmith shop are the only visible reminders of the early iron works.

In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a camp in Scotland, PA, and worked building roads and recreational facilities.
Golf Course
An 18 hole, par 68, public golf course is available. Constructed in the late 1920s, the course is the oldest and one of the most scenic courses in south central Pennsylvania. For more information contact Caledonia Golf Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 195, Fayetteville, PA 17222, 717-352-7271.
Cabins
Two homes are available for rental year-round. One cabin is a 1?-story frame house with a modern kitchen, bathroom, dining room, living room, central heat and three bedrooms that sleep ten people. The second cabin is a two-story frame house with a modern kitchen, closed-in porch, 1? baths, dining room, living room, central heat and three bedrooms that sleep ten people.
Camping
A total of 184 tent and trailer sites are available in two campgrounds. The camping season opens the second Friday in April and ends after deer season in December. The campground has flush toilets, hot showers and a sanitary dump station. The Hosack Run Campground has sites with electricity and accessible campsites.

Organized Group Tenting:

Organized adult and youth groups of up to 100 people can rent this modern area, which is open is open from the 2nd Friday in April to the 3rd Sunday in October. There are flush toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Advance reservations are required.
Nearby Accommodations
businesss listing main photo
The Brickhouse Inn - Gettysburg, PA
BBs / Inns
Gracious accommodations and in-town convenience are the perfect combination for your stay in Gettysbug. 1898 brick Victorian in historic district. Walk to battlefield, restaurants, shops.
14.7 miles from park*
Swimming
The park features a large, ADA accessible swimming pool with a small snack bar. The pool is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, unless posted otherwise. Fee charged for pool use.



Picnicking
More than 450 picnic tables are provided for year-round use. Two picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Area Attractions
For information on other tourist attractions in the area contact either the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, 717-334-2100, www.gettysburg.com, or

Pennsylvania?s Capital Region Visitors Bureau, 800-995-0969.

Michaux State Forest: This 83,949-acre forest features hunting, fishing and general outdoor recreation. 717-352-2211

Gettysburg National Military Park: This historic military site is operated by the National Park Service and preserves and explains the events that occurred on the Gettysburg Battlefield during the Civil War, 717-334-1124.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
July 7 We Love IT by Gayle and Ike
park review stars; one to five My husband/friends have been camping there for several years. We love it, the restrooms are kept up and the Rangers are all helpful. We have been going 9 or more times per summer.
June 30 One of the best!! by pavic30
park review stars; one to five Had a scout sleepover weekend at the organized tent camping area. Very clean, lots of space and the kids loved it!! Close to Gettysburg...saved us a ton of money camping and then touring the battlefields. One of the best parks I have ever seen!!
June 15 awsome park
park review stars; one to five swimming some of the best mountainbiking around, hiking is also A+ fishing boating so much to do or not do nothin at all ... and the scenery is sweet...
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Area Campgrounds
Gettysburg Campground
2030 Fairfield Road
Gettysburg, PA
Gettysburg KOA Kampground
20 Knox Road
Gettysburg, PA
717-642-5713
Granite Hill Camping Resort
3340 Fairfield Road
Gettysburg, PA
Twin Bridges Meadow Family Campgroun
1345 Twin Bridge Road
Chambersburg, PA
717-369-2216
Pine Ridge Campground
2635 Shippensburg Road
Biglerville, PA
717-316-0040
Nearby Hotels
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Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania State Parks

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