Kings Gap Environmental Education Center is a 1,454-acre Pennsylvania state park in Cooke, Dickinson, and Penn Townships, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania acquired the land in 1973 from the C. H. Masland and Son Carpet Company.
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AI.
I held my wedding at this venue. The location was lovely, but there were so many opportunities for improvement. When I toured the venue in the winter I was given a price list. When spring rolled around I had to fight to keep the prices down. The staff wanted to increase all the prices on me, even though we had discussed all the prices at the lower cost. Scott, the person in charge, gave me the tour and he was very friendly and polite. Unfortunately I had to work with Sandra, the admin, to actually get everything setup. She is a crotchety old woman. She is short, and snippy on the phone. She is incredibly difficult to deal with. The day of my wedding the ranger was constantly loitering around. He might as well have been dancing on the dance floor with my guests. He made this private event some type of social gawking fest. He gave us no space. He should have been trying to keep the public out of the mansion which I rented, and should have found the snake in the garden, which one of my guests diligently found for him. In the evening the ranger was inside the mansion rudely interrupting in our 'social hour' before bed. DO NOT use the mansions food service. I paid for 36 people to eat breakfast, only 28 people showed, and we RAN OUT of food before everyone ate breakfast. The kitchen staff refused to make anything else. This happened 2...
Read more
I'm slightly biased about Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, as my property connects to the north end of this beautiful state park.
Spanning 2,500 acres from the crest of South Mountain down to the valley below, Kings Gap offers a diverse landscape. The park features numerous hiking trails suited to all skill levels. For those seeking an easy walk, the forest pools and pine plantation areas provide flat, peaceful routes with no elevation gain. However, if you're up for a challenge, I highly recommend the Vista Overlook and Ridge Overlook Trails, which are among my favorites. Even if hiking isn't your thing, the drive up to the mansion is one of the most scenic in South Central Pennsylvania.
At the mountain's summit, near the mansion, there's a beautifully maintained garden that's well worth a visit.
Beyond its natural beauty, Kings Gap serves as an education center, bustling with activities. My children have loved the summer camps hosted by the rangers, making our visits both educational and fun.
I'm grateful to have Kings Gap in my backyard and look forward to many more years of exploring its trails and enjoying the stunning views of...
Read more
Have visited here often in both spring, summer, and fall. Always a beautiful Park. Orienteering course available for the adventurous, with hilly terrain and thick forests adding to the challenge. Challenge. The hilltop center has a historic Mansion, and an environmental center that is fun and informative. Restrooms are clean, and plenty of places outside for picnicking and leisurely. Walks on the property. Property. Has a beautiful garden growing many native plants that is tended to by the staff. Beautiful to see in the spring and summer. Fall is also a great time to visit with all the oaks, maples and hickories on the property. Getting there is a long winding road up the mountainside, but definitely worth the trip, and the views from the top in the fall without tree cover...
Read more
