Appalachian Trail MuseumAbout Appalachian Trail Museum
The Appalachian Trail Museum is a museum in Pennsylvania dedicated to the history, people, and preservation of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It collects artifacts, photos, and records related to the trail and its community of hikers and maintainers.
Established by trail volunteers and supporters to preserve and present the story of the Appalachian Trail, the museum has developed as a focal point for trail history and for organizations involved in trail stewardship.
The museum is located at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in south-central Pennsylvania, near the town of Gardners and within easy reach of regional roadways serving visitors to the park and the trail.
- Trail midpoint proximity: Located adjacent to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, close to the commonly recognized halfway point of the Appalachian Trail between Springer Mountain, Georgia and Mount Katahdin, Maine.
What to See#
- Hall of Fame: The Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame honoring individuals and organizations that have made major contributions to the trail’s creation and maintenance.
- Exhibit galleries: Exhibit galleries displaying historic photographs, trail artifacts, maps, and gear used by long-distance hikers across the Appalachian Trail.
Best Time to Visit Appalachian Trail Museum
The Appalachian Trail Museum is an indoor attraction best visited in spring, summer, or fall; autumn foliage makes nearby hiking especially attractive.
Weather & Climate near Appalachian Trail Museum
Appalachian Trail Museum's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1080 mm/year), wettest in June, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -7° - 3° | -6° | 76 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -6° - 4° | -5° | 72 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -1° - 10° | 1° | 87 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 4° - 16° | 10° | 90 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 9° - 22° | 15° | 106 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 14° - 26° | 20° | 107 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 16° - 29° | 23° | 90 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 16° - 28° | 22° | 86 mm | - | - | 2.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 12° - 24° | 18° | 104 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 18° | 12° | 87 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 1° - 11° | 4° | 93 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -4° - 5° | -3° | 82 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Appalachian Trail Museum
The Appalachian Trail Museum is located at Pine Grove Furnace State Park near Gardners, Pennsylvania. It is about a 20-30 minute drive from Carlisle, PA, and accessible by car from I-76/I-81; parking is available at the park.
Tips for Visiting Appalachian Trail Museum
- Don't miss the reconstructed Appalachian Trail shelters and the orientation film that explains the trail's transformation from path to national icon.
- If possible, time a visit to the museum's monthly speaker series - hikers and historians often give lively, first-person talks.