Furnace Hills
Forms the central forested hub of the Pennsylvania Highlands, providing a way station for thousands of migrating waterfowl every year.
Furnace Hills Conservation Area within the Pennsylvania Highlands
Rising to an elevation of 1,000 feet, the Furnace Hills conservation area forms the central forested hub of the Pennsylvania Highlands and a major stronghold for natural resources. Located east of the Susquehanna River, on the borders of Lancaster and Lebanon counties, the Furnace Hills landscape encompasses approximately 31,000 acres of land, including many state game lands.
Natural Resources
The focal point of this area is the 6,000 acre Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, operated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. It is one of just six globally Important Bird Areas in Pennsylvania, as well as a designated Important Mammal Area. The Furnace Hills is a critical sanctuary for migrating waterfowl, most notably snow geese and tundra swans. More than 280 species of birds and other animals are found in the forests, lakes, fields, ponds, and marshy pothole habitats of the Furnace Hills. Nesting bald eagles, ospreys, hawks, spring warblers, great blue herons, red fox, and white-tailed deer are found here.
Furnace Hills conservation area overlaps with a High Protection Priority area designated by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, Priorities for Climate Change Connectivity in Pennsylvania. This project focuses attention on overall high priority portions of the Climate Change Connectivity network which are currently unprotected.
Historical / Cultural Resources
The Furnace Hills provide the backdrop for many historic sites from the nation’s iron era. The iron industry was the economic backbone of this area for more than 200 years. The nearby Cornwall Ore Banks was once the greatest known deposit of iron ore in the country. Besides iron ore additional minerals such as cobalt, copper, silver, gold, and others were also mined. Cornwall Furnace produced various cast iron products, pig iron, cannon, and cannonballs during the Revolutionary War, and gun blocks during the Civil War.
The unique village of Mount Gretna was a station and recreation area on the former Cornwall to Lebanon railroad. The distinctive character of Mount Gretna is typical of the small communities and human history of the Pennsylvania Highlands Region.
Recreational Resources
The Horse-Shoe Trail is a main recreational amenity extending almost the entire length of the Furnace Hills, which this section co-aligns with the Highlands Trail of Pennsylvania. Historically, it was used to transport goods to and from the numerous iron furnaces and forges in the Pennsylvania Highlands. This and other recreation areas in the Furnace Hills are frequently associated with State Game Lands, which provide outdoor recreation opportunities ranging from hunting and fishing to hiking and boating.
Interactive Map
The Furnace Hills conservation area is located in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. It has a total acreage of roughly 41,782 acres with approximately 17,250 acres of protected open space that the public can access, plus 73 miles of hiking trails. This region is known for the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area , the Horse-Shoe Trail , and Mount Gretna.
Furnace Hills
Local Organizations
Follow the links below to learn more about some organizations in the region that focus on conservation and land protection.
Call to Action
Join us in advocating for the protection of the mountains, rivers, forests, and trails of our region.
Programs and people dedicated to conservation in Pennsylvania ensure the region’s outdoor resources are managed responsibly. Click below to speak up and urge your state legislators to increase conservation funding.
Increase State Conservation Funding
Return to The Pennsylvania Highlands Conservation Atlas main StoryMap where you can discover and continue to learn about the other Pennsylvania Highlands Conservation Areas in the Next Steps section.
