City: Gettysburg, PA

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (717) 352-2161

Description: With 23 acres Mont Alto is the smallest of the state parks in the area. Located within the Michaux Forest in Franklin County, it sits about 20 miles west of Gettysburg. The Mont Alto Iron Furnace, which was built in 1807, used to operate at a site adjacent to the park. At its peak it produced two to three tons of iron per day. In 1875 the area was turned into a summer resort by private enterprise. The commonwealth bought the area in 1902, and Mont Alto became Pennsylvania’s first “state forest park.” Excellent trout fishing can be found at the West Branch of Antietam Creek, which flows through the park. Hiking, picnicking, and riding snowmobiles can also be enjoyed, but no hunting is allowed within the park. Trash containers are not available at the park. Visitors are asked to carry only what they need into the park and to take their trash home with them. The Mont Alto Campus of Pennsylvania State University (see the Education and Child Care chapter) is adjacent to the west boundary of the park. To reach the park from Gettysburg, take US 30 west to the intersection with Route 233, where you’ll arrive at Caledonia State Park. Then travel 7 miles south on Route 233 to the entrance for Mont Alto State Park.