Pine Grove Furnace State Park is located just east of Chambersburg, surrounded by Michaux State Forest. The area also held Laurel Forge which made wrought iron from the pig iron produced here. The furnace was established in 1764 and operations continued at this site until 1895. Early iron furnaces were built in seemingly remote areas in order to locate them where there was iron ore, limestone and forest for making charcoal readily available in order to minimize transportation requirements.

This gallery began when we stopped here for a travel break while returning from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. As that was a Thanksgiving weekend, daylight hours were short and we barely scratched the surface of the recreational resources here. There are two lakes, camping, swimming and a rail trail several miles in length among the offerings.