Things To Know Before You Come

Brown sign with NPS arrowhead that reads "Welcome to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site".
Welcome to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.

NPS Photo, Kutner

Hopewell Furnace is regularly open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday as well as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day. The visitor center (including rest rooms), parking lot and historic buildings are closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and other federal holidays. The park's 12 miles of hiking trails (that interconnect with those of neighboring French Creek State Park) are open every day.

During the summer season, generally Memorial Day through Labor Day, the park is open 7 days per week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Extreme weather or emergency conditions may curtail these hours or cause the park to be unexpectedly closed for the day.

Access to the park's entrance road and parking lots is normally from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Except for the park's visitor center and historic buildings, visiting Hopewell Furnace is an outdoor experience. Touring the site includes walking historic roadways and footpaths while exposed to outdoor conditions. The historic road from the visitor center to the village is a substantial hill. Comfortable seasonal clothing and walking shoes are recommended.

The park's visitor center and restrooms are handicap accessible. However, much of the historic area includes steep terrain, narrow historic doorways and numerous steps that can present transit difficulties and limit accessibility. Individuals with specific accessibility requirements are encouraged to contact the park in advance to discuss their needs.

There are no restaurant facilities in the park or its immediate vicinity. The visitor center offers vending snacks, soft drinks and water.

Pets are allowed in outdoor areas of the park so long as they are on a 6 foot leash. Only service dogs or service dogs in training are allowed inside park buildings with their owners.

Picnicking is allowed in the tabled picnic area beside our upper parking area, or in the nearby apple orchard. Picnicking is not allowed in the historic village area of the park.

Possession of firearms within the park is allowed with restrictions. For additional information please read the Laws and Policies section of this website.

A permit is required to conduct the following activities within Hopewell Furnace NHS:

  • Organized recreational events and/or ceremonies.
  • Commercial filming or photography. See "Permits" section of this site for explanation of what type of commercial filming/photography activity requires a permit.
  • The sale or distribution of written materials, food or merchandise.

The following activities are prohibited within Hopewell Furnace NHS:

  • Hunting, conducting hunting activities and/or harassing of wildlife.
  • Smoking inside any park buildings or out-of-doors inside the historic village area.
  • Feeding park farm animals, except under the supervision of park staff.
  • Removal of natural or cultural resources, including artifacts, plants and animals, except for those allowed by the park compendium.
  • Operating a bicycle in the Historic Village area, except when using the Hopewell Lake Trail as a right of way for the Horse-Shoe Trail. Bicycles may use the historic village road from the junction of the Hopewell Lake Trail traveling South to the Care House and Pennsylvania Route 345. The use of bicycles in the Historic Village North of the French Creek Bridge near the Blacksmith Shop is prohibited.
  • Launching, landing or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters within the boundaries of the park, except as approved by permit or in writing by the park's superintendent.

Last updated: November 11, 2020

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

2 Mark Bird Lane
Elverson, PA 19520

Phone:

610 582-8773

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