Hiking Caledonia State Park

A couple of weeks ago, Roger and I wanted to do a short hike. So we did like we always do, found our PA State Parks Map and found something close by. We picked Caledonia State Park close to Gettysburg Pa.

The direction on the phone directed us to somebody's backyard... Not good! But because sometimes we put our brains together, we did find the park 15 minutes later.

We parked by the Thaddeus Stevens Furnace and Trail and walked a bit to the park office. We got a map, and use the restroom. The park office was beautiful!




Fun fact: Did you know that Thaddeus Stevens was a Radical Republican who was a huge advocate of abolishing slavery? He was more progressive than President Lincoln, and after President Lincoln's assassination, he continued to push to protect the rights of Former slaves. Bet you weren't expecting a history lesson today!


We were looking for the long and difficult hike path, but couldn't find it. We did see a lady cooking by the day picnic area, and we considered asking if we could join her. She had about 50 pieces of chicken on the grill and it smelled great!

 
Old Truck by the main office

 
Small waterfall by the entrace

 
Starting the Midland trail

 
 Deep into the Midland trail

 
 Considering life by the lake.


Thaddeus Stephens Trail   

 
 

 

 
 
 
We hiked 4 easy miles, our goal was to see part of the Appalachian Trail that goes through this park, but we didn't make it there. We had a goal to only do 4 miles, because we had a long run the next day.


After we left the park, we went for ice cream, and realized it was time for dinner. So we ordered some food at this place. I got the burger and water, and Roger got a turkey sandwich. It was so delicious! the burger meat was very fresh and juicy, made me wish I had ordered fries. The server came out and asked us how everything was and we couldn't stop complimenting the food. Then she told us that all their food is local, they buy meat from the local butcher, their veggies from the local farmer and the bread from the local bakery. I wanted to move in there and eat all the food!

Caledonia State park also had a pool and a very large day picnic area. We will be going back to find the AT!

Do you hike?
When was the last time you had a yummy fresh burger ?
Have you hiked any of the AT?
Ever cooked 20 pieces of chicken at a park?


 
 

Comments

  1. I wish we had some nice hiking trails closer. The better ones are a couple hours away and it's more of a day trip. Beautiful pictures!

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    1. Where do you live Heather? We have lots of green here in PA!

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  2. Sounds like a fun hike! I haven't been hiking this Summer yet and really need to find a weekend to do it.

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    1. Chaitali, it is so much fun to hike in the summer and fall!

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  3. LOL at how the phone directed you to someone's backyard at first. So awkward! And I know some people who trust their phones so much that they would walk around the yard saying, "This has to be it!!!"

    Beautiful pictures! That restaurant sounds AMAZING. Amen to local food!!!

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    1. Can you imagine Emily? "Yeah, hi... my phone says Caledonia state park is here? do you have any maps?"

      The food was soo good!

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  4. You know I've been all about finding new parks and waterfalls in PA this summer so of course I enjoyed this post! We hiked in trough creek state park yesterday and that was challenging!

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    1. After I saw it in your post, I looked up Through Creek Park. It's only 1.45 minutes from where I live so probably going there with weekend!

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  5. Very beautiful! I have been on the AT around Caledonia. Next time you do it, I recommend going North on the AT out of the park. It is very pretty!

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    1. Thank you Megan, i'll make a note of that!

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  6. I hiked part of the AT in Shenandoah National Park & it was HARD. I've actually heard most of the sections of the AT in PA are rough. Not well marked & not well maintained, so I would be interested to hear what you think when you find it!

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    1. Jessie,

      have you ever read A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson? He hiked part of the AT, and purposely skipped PA, because it's one of the most challenging parts, and he said it's very rocky. We have done many sections of the AT in PA.

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