Mont Alto State Park
The 23-acre Mont Alto State Park is in Franklin County. It can be reached from Caledonia State Park on US 30, the Lincoln Highway, by traveling seven miles south on PA 233 or, from the south, travel north on PA 233, one mile from the town of Mont Alto. |
Explore
Directions - Weather - Recreation - Winter Report - History - Accessibility - Nearby Attractions - Volunteers - Rules and Regs - In an Emergency - Contact Us - Downloadables and Maps
Park Advisories
| 8/5/2008 9:16:00 AM | Firewood Advisory: Invasive Beetles found in Firewood Threaten Forests! Before bringing firewood to a Pennsylvania State Park, please read the information in the linked page about a very real threat to forests in Pennsylvania and all of North America. Firewood Advisory |
Directions
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Mont Alto State Park, in southeastern Franklin County, contains 24 acres of land. It can be reached from Caledonia State Park on US 30, the Lincoln Highway, by traveling seven miles south on PA 233 or by traveling north on PA 233, one mile from the town of Mont Alto. |
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Picnicking - Fishing - Snowmobiling
Fishing: The West Branch of Antietam Creek flows through the park and offers excellent trout fishing. For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site. |
Hiking: Local mountain roads offer interesting short hikes and a flora that attracts a diversity of wildlife, especially woodland birds.
Picnicking: Two picnic areas contain many tables and two picnic pavilions.
Make a reservation
Snowmobiling: The park has restrooms, parking and access to the public snowmobile trails of Michaux State Forest. Snowmobile trails open after the close of deer season in late December. Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
Trash Disposal and Recycling
Mont Alto State Park participates in a carry in/carry out trash disposal program for small parks. There are no collection or recycling facilities. Visitors are asked to limit the amount of disposable items brought to the park and to take all trash, garbage, and recyclables home with them.
Access for People with Disabilities
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.
History
Adjacent to the park was the site of the Mont Alto Iron Furnace. Daniel and Samuel Hughes built the furnace in 1807. Originally, it was 31 feet high, 8 feet wide at the boshes and produced 2-3 tons of iron a day.
George Weistling purchased the furnace and associated holdings in 1864. Weistling started the Mont Alto Iron Company, which was responsible for many changes in the area. The Mont Alto Railroad was also completed and connected with the Cumberland County Railroad, 3.5 miles northeast of Chambersburg. Railroad trains brought visitors to the attractive mountain setting. In 1875, the “Magnificent Summer Resort,” Mont Alto Park, was opened and soon became a very popular recreational area. The area was acquired by the Commonwealth on May 1,1902, and became the first “state forest park.”
Nearby Attractions
For more information on regional attractions, contact the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, 717-485-4064. www.fultoncountypa.com
Adjacent to the park is the Mont Alto Campus of the Pennsylvania State University. At the Campus Chapel, the famed abolitionist John Brown taught Sunday school while living in Chambersburg and planning his raid on the Harpers Ferry Arsenal.
Michaux State Forest: This 84,000-acre forest features hunting, fishing and general outdoor recreation. The 611-acre Meeting of the Pines State Forest Natural Area is just north of the park in the Michaux State Forest. Northern and southern species of pine grow in this area, including table mountain pine, pitch pine, short-leaf pine, white pine and Virginia pine. 717-352-2211
In an Emergency
Contact a park employee or dial 911.
Nearest Hospitals:
Chambersburg Hospital
112 North Seventh Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
717-267-3000
www.summithealth.org
Waynesboro Hospital
501 East Main Street
Waynesboro, PA 17268
717-765-4000
www.summithealth.org
For More Information Contact:
Mont Alto State Park
c/o Caledonia
Fayetteville, PA 17222-9610
717-352-2161
Manager: R. Bruce McFate
E-mail: caledoniasp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer
Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.
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