kings gap environmental education and training center

We visited the Kings Gap environmental Center this past Sunday because the mansion was open for tours. It was magnificent and the views from the top of the mountain were great. Noted that the have several hiking trails. This area would be spectacular to visit to view the fall foliage and also in the spring when the mountain laurel is blooming. We were told that they frequently have weddings in the mansion on weekends. The 3 1/2 mi road to get there is very narrow and windy. It is advisable to limit your speed to 20 mph.

Mansion not open this time of year, but grounds are open...beautiful view...thanks to PM for his help with the workshop..great facility!

if you long for a time where air conditioning, and the internet are rare, and sporadic at best, this is your place, a room can be rented for about 40-65 dollars a night, and on a cloudless night you can see the milky way! that is awesome, but when there is a meteor shower or a comet pass by, the local astronomer groups, come to the mountain and on the helicopter pad , set up huge mobile telescopes, the terrain is awesome (ask where the snakes are congregating) the hikes are excellent to really too long, but the panoramic views will fill your camera, and your virtual scrapbook .. Dinners are available until 5pm at the bottom of the mountain, @ what use to be the only legal head shop in all of Cumberland county, other choices are in shippensburg , and the crossroads dinner tween plain-field and newville! (do not get the fish) everything is Delicious and awesome (do not get the fish, ) now if you want wings or soup you have to travel to newville! Gas is in newville or shippensburg, both average 20 cents more than harrisburg! the floria abounds, and there are plenty of game animals and rare birds! so everone who likes the outdoors will love Kings gap!

We chose a loop hike we read about in the book, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Harrisburg. However, we never did find the beginning point due to insufficient trail signs around the main parking areas at the center. We ended up just starting out on the only trail we could find signage for. Even along that trail, many intersections could have been more clearly marked. Maybe my expectations were too high. One other thing, the information on the website said it should be open, but both buildings were closed. We were able to access the bathroom in the center, although the mansion was locked. But it is a beautiful place.

This picturesque 6 mile trail connects Kings Gap to Pine Grove Furnace State Park. After a short incline the rest of the trail is easy to moderate hiking although a little rocky in spots. The trail is long so give a couple of hours depending on your fitness level. The only downfall is having to park in two different parks for vehicle pick-up. Well worth the effort. We spotted a fox, deer, and an orange variant tangier.

This is my go-to place when I need to enjoy nature or sort out things. I love the mansion, the breathtaking views from the patio and the numerous trails. Each trail presents a different challenge and it's great to have the opportunity to mix things up exercise-wise. I've also attended a few events at the mansion and it's immaculate. The nature camps for children are also wonderful and quite popular.

We visited Kings Gap for the annual Mothers day sale of native plants. As always, our trip was delightful. After we made our purchases, we stopped by the gift shop where the staff members were helpful in answering all our questions. We always stop bythe small pond in the garden to visit the frogs and salamanders -- and this time we lingered to watch all the underwater antics. Don't miss the views from the mansion veranda.

We live nearby and visit in the summer as well. Be sure to find and enjoy Laurel Lake on you visit there

This is a beautiful place to take a day hike or two. The trails are well maintained - 16 mile worth- and the views of the Cumberland Valley are very pretty. There are sponsored night hikes with a ranger that really would appeal to the young and/or curious.There is also an Italian style mansion at the top of the mountain that can be rented out for weddings, etc. Very picturesque and open on Sunday afternoons for self guided tours (unless there's an event going on). Well worth the day trip!

Being new to the Carlisle area, and a new dog owner, I am always on the prowl for new places to go. King's Gap was No Dissapointment- The veiws from the over looks were breath taking. The Mansion and Estate grounds were lovely, & very well maintained. My rescued Fox Hound and I loved the trails. They are very well marked and had several levels of difficulty. We Chose a short 1.7mile trail of (More difficulty). It was wonderful! I cannot wait til next weekend to go back and try another Path. There are a dozen trails to choose from-so they will be seeing us a lot this summer!

This park has it all in my opinion. There are 16 miles of hiking trails, group hiking programs, a orienteering program, numerous environmental education programs, interpretive programs and Sundays in the summer the 1st floor of the Mansion is open for a self guided tour. There is a very active group known as the Friends at Kings Gap and around Christmas they decorate the Mansion.There are also lots of other events that occur here too. This year we went to the Native Plant sale and bought numerous plants at reasonable prices. During the summer they also had a few concerts to attend.The drive up to the Mansion is on a narrow paved road that meanders around as it climbs up to the Mansion. The view from the back of the Mansion is breath taking, although it was better in my opinion before they built the large warehouses at the Newville exit off Rt 81.Along the driveway there are several pull offs with picnic benches that my wife and I just love to use to sit and enjoy the scenery and eat at a relaxed pace. If you are not packing a lunch be sure to stop at the Kings Gap General Store near the entrance to the center to get great sandwiches and to be transported back a bit in time.

a little gem in Central Pennsylvania. Lots of educational offerings in the great outdoors suited for all ages. children's camps in the summers. enjoyable hiking, except that we can't ever seem to find any trail maps and many of the trails are not marked by names.

Great view... if you check out information, one or twice a year you can TOUR the mansion. Good programs for the kids, interesting enough for adults.

Nice trails and old mansion there with beautiful views of the area.Mansion is used as cinference center and wedding venue too. Be aware if small winding roads to get to to the top.It is free and has many beautiful trees and trails to explore.

Our family has loved coming to Kings Gap to hike, picnic, sketch, and more for years. A day there during each Autumn was a much-anticipated break from our everyday lives of homeschooling and working. We packed our lunch and ate it at the foot of the mountain on the porch of the old cabin. (You can't go inside.) We took our kitchen strainers and "fished" for insects and bits in the pond about half-way up the mountain. We hiked the trails and "hoped we'd see some bear." LOL I always loved the garden at the top of the mountain beside the mansion (now used as offices and closed to public) with its formal herb garden, composting demonstration site, and native borders. Lots of good ideas there for mid-Atlantic gardeners. Additionally, we have participated in a few programs over the years and found them to be very well done.