Greenwood Furnace State Park: What to See, What to Do, and Where to Stay

Outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful in central Pennsylvania, and Greenwood Furnace State Park is just one of the reasons why the area is so beautiful.

With a small lake and a beautiful vista, how could you go wrong? We’ve enjoyed visiting, hiking, and camping here because there are great hiking trails and a variety of things to do.

There are plenty of other things to do and reasons to visit Greenwood Furnace State Park, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Where is Greenwood Furnace State Park?

Greenwood Furnace State Park is easily accessed by heading southeast from State College, PA. The park is less than 20 miles from town. It is also less than 45 minutes south of Exit 161 off of Interstate 80.

The two closest towns are State College and Huntington, PA, both about 30 minutes away by car.

For us, this was close enough for convenience, but far enough away to feel a little secluded in nature.

Things to do in Warm Weather

Hiking

Hiking is a popular activity at Greenwood Furnace. Plenty of trails travel through the State Park grounds and then connect to others continuing for hundreds of miles.

Both short, family-friendly day hikes and multi-night backpacking trips can begin in Greenwood Furnace.

For something a little more adventurous, begin at the trailhead parking lot across the road from the park offices. This is where you will start your Standing Stone Trail hike.

We recommend doing it in reverse and would go as follows.

The image shows a trail marker in Greenwood Furnace State Park. The marker is painted with orange and yellow stripes and stands amidst a dense, green forest. The trail splits into two paths, one going uphill to the right and the other veering left. The forest is thick with underbrush and trees, creating a serene, natural setting.

After just a short distance on the Standing Stone Trail, you’ll want to take the Monsell Trail up the hill, winding through some thick forests. There is signage teaching you about the flora and fauna of the area along the way.

Continue on this trail until it intersects with the Lorence Trail, which you will take to the left.

About a mile of hiking on the Lorence Trail leads to the Turkey Trail, which takes off on a steep incline up the mountain. Take this trail, up the steep grades and switchbacks.

After less than a mile, you’ve reached the top to find you’ve returned to the Standing Stone Trail. After just a short distance on the trail, it opens up to the beautiful Stone Valley Vista, the highlight of the hike.

The image depicts Standing Stone Vista, offering a panoramic view over a vast forested landscape. Large rocks and boulders in the foreground contrast with the distant, hazy view of rolling hills and dense woodlands under a partly cloudy sky. The scene captures the natural expansive view seen from the vantage point.

Beyond the vista, most of the hard work is done, and you’ll return down the Standing Stone Trail, past the old church, to return to the parking area. The entire distance covers about 5 miles. This was our favorite hike in Greenwood Furnace!

For something shorter and more family-friendly, consider either the Lake View Trail, a short 0.25-mile hike around the lake, or the Moore Trail, which also begins at the parking area across from the park offices.

The Moore Trail covers 0.5 miles through wooded terrain at the base of Stone Mountain.

Really, though, you can’t go wrong with any of the hiking trails in the park.

Fishing

Fishing is an extremely popular activity at Greenwood Furnace State Park.

Although the lake is small compared to some of the other nearby waterways and State Park facilities, it is periodically stocked with trout.

When the season opens in the spring, you’ll find plenty of people enjoying time with their lines in the water.

Please note: no boats are permitted on the lake during the first weekend of trout season in the spring.

Boating

The stone spillway dam at Greenwood Furnace State Park, where water cascades down the textured stone structure. The dam leads to a calm lake surrounded by dense, forested hills. A small stone building is visible on the left, adding to the historic and natural charm of the scene.

Because Greenwood Lake is only 6 acres in size, no motorized boats are permitted here.

This is a great opportunity for those looking to float and enjoy a kayak or canoe or for those looking to fish from these vessels.

Just note, again, that even canoes and kayaks are not permitted the first weekend of trout season in the spring.

The calm waters make for an enjoyable day of floating, especially for beginners. Just be sure to avoid getting near the spillway!

Swimming

A sandy beach area at Greenwood Furnace State Park, with a calm lake in the background surrounded by a dense forest. The sky above is partly cloudy. The edge of a stone-paved area can be seen in the foreground, leading to the beach.

300 feet of beachfront sit just in front of facilities for showers, restrooms, and a snack bar.

The beach is typically open during the summer months from the end of May to early September.

Swimming here is at your own risk, and there is an ADA-accessible ramp to allow swimming opportunities for all who want them.

Plan to arrive earlier in the day on summer weekends to get the best spots. It can get a little crowded.

Picnicking

Along with picnic tables scattered about the grounds, eight pavilions for picnicking and group gatherings are located near the beach and swimming area in the park.

These pavilions can be reserved in advance with the park office, but any unused sites are first-come, first-served.

In addition to the shelter from the elements, there are horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, and a playground for children.

Explore History

The image shows a historic iron furnace structure at Greenwood Furnace State Park, surrounded by a lush green lawn and dense forest. The furnace is pyramid-shaped and made of stone, with a large arched opening at the base. Trees and vegetation frame the scene.

Historically, Greenwood Furnace was a booming iron-making town. Plenty of remnants of the industry are still easily found while wandering around the park.

In addition to the two iron-making furnaces, there is also a blacksmith shop open during summer weekends for educational programs and displays.

The shop building was standing during the time when iron production was in full force.

A rustic blacksmith shop that is found at Greenwood Furnace State Park. The wooden building is surrounded by green grass and blooming daffodils, with trees and other vegetation in the background.

Another significant historical structure still in place today is the Greenwood Furnace Church. It is easy to see from the main road, just 0.2 miles up the main road from the park office and trailhead parking.

Originally established in 1867, the church has a rich history in the community and there are informational signs around the property.

The church also hosts Sunday services in the summer months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.

A historic stone church at Greenwood Furnace State Park is the centerpiece of this photo. The quaint building features a small bell tower and arched windows, set against a backdrop of trees and greenery, with a clear blue sky above.

Mountain biking

While there are no designated mountain biking areas in this State Park, trails blazed in red are permitted mountain biking areas.

These trails include the Brush Ridge Trail and Dogtown Trail, for nearly 4 miles of mountain biking terrain.

Although there is not an extensive mountain biking trail network in Greenwood Furnace State Park, these 4 miles of trails could be combined with others in the adjacent Rothrock State Forest for plenty of fun and adventure.

Winter Activities in Greenwood Furnace State Park

For those looking to get out and enjoy a winter wonderland, there are plenty of activities at Greenwood Furnace. Young and old alike can find something to do in the park.

Here are some of the best options:

Ice Skating

During cold winters, Greenwood Lake freezes and the area adjacent to the beach is set aside for ice skating.

Because the ice thickness is not monitored, anyone planning to skate here should definitely use caution.

The State Park does have a warming hut set up, as well as heated restrooms near the beach for comfort and convenience during winter activities.

Ice Fishing

Another popular, but proceed at your own risk, activity is ice fishing.

After freezing, plenty of ice fishing huts and tracks to holes can be found on the six-acre Greenwood Lake.

The lake is stocked periodically with trout species.

Be sure to check the ice thickness for yourself and follow safety precautions accordingly to avoid any mishaps or dangerous situations.

Cross Country Skiing

Hiking trails marked with blue blazes are great for cross-country ski use in the winter months.

These include the Tramway, Dogtown, Viantown, and Brush Ridge trails.

The trails can be used to access and combine with the Rothrock State Forest trails, similar to mountain biking in the summer, for days and days of cross-country adventures.

For those looking to just get their feet wet with cross-country skiing, any of the grassy day-use areas can also be used for this recreation.

Sledding

The young, and the young at heart, will find a small sled riding hill in Greenwood Furnace State Park.

Although on the smaller side, you can find the designated hill behind the visitor’s center.

Also conveniently nearby, using the same facilities as the ice skaters, there is a warming hut and heated restrooms.

Snowmobiling

Marked by orange diamonds (not just orange blazes), these are trails where snowmobiling is permitted.

While there are only short trails located within Greenwood Furnace State Park, these trails do provide access to over 200 miles of recreation in the Rothrock State Forest.

Where to Stay

Camping

Camping is the only overnight option available to stay in Greenwood Furnace State Park.

Just over 50 sites can be reserved at the one campground in the park. Make your reservations ahead of time online at ReserveAmerica.

Only a handful of these sites do not have electric hookups.

Two of the sites are walk-in tent sites, with the rest being available for tents and RVs with parking at the site. We enjoyed having a site at this clean, well-kept campground to come back to after a full day of exploring.

Alternative Options

Although the address of this State Park puts it in Huntington, PA, the drive between the town center and the park takes about half an hour.

State College is also about a half hour away by car.

Those are the two best towns for hotel searching, but depending on the time of year, selection may be significantly limited.

Alternatively, you may find a great Airbnb option a little closer.

Other Nearby Spots to Visit

Whipple Dam State Park

A small State Park at just 256 acres, Whipple Dam is a great day-use park for kayaking and boating, swimming, and picnicking.

Just 15 minutes away from Greenwood Furnace, if there is a crowd at one, consider checking out the other.

There are no overnight facilities at this park, though.

Penn-Roosevelt State Park

Even smaller yet is Penn-Roosevelt State Park, with just 41 acres to its name. This park, though, is surrounded by 80,000 acres of the Rothrock State Forest, making it feel much larger.

Popular activities here include hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

18 first-come, first-served primitive tent sites are available in a secluded camping area in the park, but there is a fee for use.

The Perks of Greenwood Furnace State Park

With such easy access from State College, Greenwood Furnace State Park is a great weekend getaway that offers hiking, adventure, and relaxation by the small lake.

Although there are bigger, more spacious parks around central Pennsylvania, this one is still worth a visit, even if only stopping by for the afternoon.

Hike a portion of the Standing Stone Trail, try your luck with the trout, or explore the iron-making roots.

Whatever the reason, get out and explore Greenwood Furnace State Park!

Have you visited Greenwood Furnace State Park? What was your favorite trail or thing to explore?