Hotel Near Pine Grove
Furnace State Park — For Couples
About 28 miles from the park. Adults-only. Private hot tub and fireplace waiting when you return from the trail. No children. No pets. Just the two of you.
If you and your partner are planning a trip to Pine Grove Furnace State Park — to hike the Appalachian Trail, swim in Fuller Lake, or explore the historic iron furnace — Inn of the Dove is the closest adults-only hotel in the Harrisburg area. At roughly 28 miles from the park entrance, the drive takes about 38 minutes via I-81 South. Come back from the trail to a private jetted hot tub, a fireplace, and complete quiet. No neighbors with children. No shared amenities. The suite is yours entirely.
About Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Pine Grove Furnace State Park covers 696 acres in the South Mountain region of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The park is built around the remains of an iron furnace that operated from 1764 through 1895, one of the earliest industrial sites in the state. Today, those forested hills and clear mountain lakes have become one of central Pennsylvania’s most beloved natural retreats.
The park contains two swimming lakes: Fuller Lake, a former iron ore pit now filled with spring-fed water and ringed with a sandy beach, and Laurel Lake, a quieter no-wake boating and fishing lake on the park’s eastern edge. Swimming at Fuller Lake is supervised and open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Both lakes offer fishing for bass, panfish, and trout.
Pine Grove Furnace is perhaps best known as the location of the traditional halfway point of the Appalachian Trail — the 2,190-mile footpath connecting Georgia and Maine. The AT passes directly through the park, and the Appalachian Trail Museum is housed in a historic grist mill on the grounds. Thru-hikers celebrate crossing the halfway mark with the legendary half-gallon challenge at the Pine Grove General Store.
What to Do at the Park
Whether you spend a morning or a full day, the park offers a range of activities that make for an ideal day trip from Inn of the Dove.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail
The section of the AT through South Mountain is accessible to day hikers from the park’s trailheads. The terrain is rolling and wooded — not technical, but rewarding. You can hike a stretch in either direction from the park and loop back via the Sunset Rocks Trail for views across the Cumberland Valley. Allow 2–4 hours for a full loop. Trail conditions are best May through October; winter hiking is possible but portions can be icy.
Swimming at Fuller Lake
Fuller Lake opens for swimming on Memorial Day weekend and closes after Labor Day. The beach is staffed with lifeguards during open hours. The water is clear and cold — fed by mountain springs. The lake is popular on summer weekends, so arrive before 10 a.m. for easy parking. Admission to the beach is free with a vehicle day-use fee for non-Pennsylvania residents.
The Appalachian Trail Museum
The AT Museum inside the park is open weekends May through October and select weekdays in summer. It traces the full history of the trail from its conception in the 1920s through present-day thru-hiking culture. If you have any interest in hiking or the outdoors, it’s genuinely worth an hour. Admission is by suggested donation.
Fishing and Boating on Laurel Lake
Laurel Lake allows non-motorized and electric-powered boats. Canoe and rowboat rentals are available at the boat launch during the summer season. The lake is stocked with trout and holds good populations of largemouth bass and panfish. A Pennsylvania fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older.
Day Trip Done — Hot Tub Ready
Spend the morning on the trail and the afternoon at the lake. Come back to a private hot tub and fireplace waiting just for the two of you. 38 minutes from the park.
Why Stay at Inn of the Dove
Inn of the Dove is a 16-suite adults-only hotel exclusively for couples. Every suite is self-contained — private entrance, private hot tub (in all but one suite), fireplace, and full amenities with no shared spaces. If you’re spending a day outdoors at Pine Grove Furnace, the hotel is the ideal place to recover in complete privacy.
Suite Options for a Nature Getaway
After a full day hiking or swimming, the most requested suites pair a hot tub with a fireplace — exactly what tired legs need.
Black & Gold Romantic Suite
Dove Swimming Pool Suite
Beach Swimming Pool Suite
Getting There from Harrisburg
From Inn of the Dove, take I-81 South toward Carlisle. Exit at Exit 37 (PA-34 South / Gardners). Follow PA-34 South through Gardners — the park entrance and signs for Pine Grove Furnace will appear on your right. The drive is roughly 28 miles and takes about 38 minutes without traffic. Parking inside the park is free for Pennsylvania residents; a day-use fee applies for out-of-state plates.
Tip: Fuller Lake fills up fast on summer weekends. Aim to arrive by 9:30 a.m. The Appalachian Trail trailheads are less crowded — if you prefer hiking over swimming, mid-morning is fine any day of the week.
Other Attractions Nearby
Boiling Springs, PA
Carlisle, PA
Appalachian Trail Museum
Roundtop Mountain Resort
Everything You Need to Know
Common questions about staying at Inn of the Dove and visiting Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
- Inn of the Dove is approximately 28 miles from Pine Grove Furnace State Park — about 38 to 45 minutes by car depending on traffic. Take I-81 South to Exit 37, then PA-34 South toward Gardners. The park entrance is well-marked. It’s a comfortable day trip — you can spend the morning at the park and be back at your suite by mid-afternoon.
- Yes — strictly adults only. Inn of the Dove is exclusively for couples. No children are permitted on the property at any time, whether as guests or visitors. No pets either. All guests must present valid photo ID at check-in. There are no exceptions.
- Summer (June through August) is peak season for swimming in Fuller Lake. Fall (September and October) offers spectacular hiking along the Appalachian Trail with full foliage. Winter brings cross-country skiing and ice skating when conditions allow. Spring is excellent for uncrowded hiking as wildflowers bloom on the South Mountain trails. The park is open year-round.
- Every suite except the Double King Suite includes a private jetted hot tub. Most suites also include a wood-burning fireplace — perfect after a full day of hiking the Appalachian Trail. Two suites feature private heated indoor pools in addition to a hot tub. All amenities are for the two of you only; nothing is shared with other guests.
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park sits near the traditional halfway point of the Appalachian Trail — the 2,190-mile footpath from Georgia to Maine. Thru-hikers celebrate with the half-gallon challenge at the Pine Grove General Store. The Appalachian Trail Museum is also located within the park. For day hikers, the AT section through South Mountain offers ridge views with accessible trailheads.
- The park offers swimming and fishing in Fuller Lake and Laurel Lake, Appalachian Trail hiking, mountain biking, camping, picnicking, and visiting the historic 1764 Iron Furnace. In winter, cross-country skiing and ice skating are available when conditions permit. The Appalachian Trail Museum inside the park is free to visit.
- The front desk is available until 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. If you plan to return late, let us know when you book. We handle late arrivals regularly — call 717-540-5540 in advance and we’ll make sure everything is ready when you get back.
- Yes. Free private parking is included with every stay. You park at the hotel, drive to Pine Grove Furnace State Park for the day (38 minutes), and return to your suite whenever you’re ready.
Hike the Trail.
Come Home to a Hot Tub.
38 minutes from Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Adults-only. Private hot tub. Fireplace. The suite is yours entirely — no shared spaces, no children, no interruptions.