Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Things To Do Near Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

The visitors center is a great place to start your visit because you will want to see the museum exhibits, listen to the audio programming, and ask the staff questions. Check the calendar to see what special events and demonstrations will be occurring during your visit. Then, take the self-guided tour of Hopewell. Help feed the farm animals and pick the apples when they are ripe in September and October. 

Hiking Trails

• Boone Trail

  This trail starts at the Hopewell Lake Boat Launch parking lot. Follow its blue blazes across the rocky terrain at French Creek State Park. Use the short side trail to visit the Hopewell Furnace Visitors Center. This is a loop trail, so it will bring you back to your starting point. 

  Location

  2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, Pennsylvania 19520 

  Length

  6 Miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Six Penny Trail 

  This trail leaves from the visitor center at French Creek State Park. It crosses hilly terrain to reach the original Six Penny Recreation Area, where you can see the historic dam's ruins. Then, it crosses near the French Creek Campgrounds before joining the Boone Trail. 

  Location

  843 Park Road, Elverson, Pennsylvania 19520

  Length

  3 Miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Horse-Shoe Trail 

  Horse-Shoe Trail begins at Valley Forge National Park before following part of the Appalachian Trail that runs on top of Stony Mountain. Eight miles of this trail run through French Creek State Park near Hopewell Furnace Historic Site. 

  Location

  Valley Forge National Historic Park, 1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406

  Length

  130 Miles

  Intensity

  Strenuous

Sightseeing

• French Creek State Park 

  This park that borders Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site offers camping, hiking, swimming, and boating. Migratory birds often use their woodlands, streams, lakes, and wetlands. It is also a great place to go wildlife watching, especially if you love seeing deer. There are many miles of hiking trails in this park that connect to Hopewell and a nearby nature preserve, so hikers have lots of options. 

  Location

  1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406

• Crow's Nest Preserve 

  If you have children along, let them roam on the Natures PlayGround at Crow's Nest Preserve. You will love seeing the dense forest. This venue often hosts special events, so be sure to check their schedule.

  Location

  201 Piersol Road, Elverson, Pennsylvania

Museums

• The National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum 

  See the 120-foot rolling steel mill at the National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum. Many other exhibits to view will help you understand the critical role steel and iron played in the region's and country's history. Visit with the staff to learn about various applications for iron and steel.

  Location

  50 South 1st Avenue, Coatesville, PA 19320 

• Mid-Atlantic Air Museum 

  See aircraft from different eras at Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania. Most of the exhibits have a tie to Pennsylvania, either through the manufacturing process or through pilots. Many of the aircraft were flown in World War II. 

  Location

  Reading Regional Airport, 2501 Bernville Road, Reading, Pennsylvania 19605 

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Murdough's Christmas Barn 

  Every day is Christmas Day at Murdough's Christmas Barn, where you will find an astonishing collection of Christmas items from around the world. This store is in a century-old barn. Their wide selection from around the world has been delighting shoppers since 1953.  

  Location

  945 West Penn Avenue, Robesonia, Pennsylvania 19551 

• Rodale Institute Garden Store and Visitors Center 

  For more than 50 years, the Rodale Institute has been studying organic farming practices. Find books, gardening and kitchen tools, apparel, specialty foods, and organic treats in their garden store inside a former one-room schoolhouse. They often host special plant sales and unique holiday programming. 

  Location

  611 Siegfriedale Road, Kutztown, Pennsylvania 19530 

• Saint Peters Bakery 

  Step inside this building that used to be an old general store, and you will feel like you have gone back in time. Choose from a wide selection of artesian breads, including sourdough bread with a starter that is over 100 years old. The menu changes weekly based on the highest quality foods available locally. Be sure to try one of their pies, tarts, or cakes.

  Location

  3441 Saint Peters Road, Saint Peters, Pennsylvania 19520

• Ice House 

  Since 1989, diners have been coming to the Ice House to start their day with fresh doughnuts and delicious coffee. Then, they come back later for mouthwatering sandwiches and main-dish entrees. Enjoy pizza or stromboli at the restaurant or delivered to your door. 

  Location

  1 King Street, Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464

How To Get To Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

It is straightforward to get to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site from Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Get on Pennsylvania 23 West and go until you reach St. Peters Road. Turn right. Then, turn left onto Harmonyville Road. Finally, veer a slight right to get on Hopewell Road, which becomes Clement Brook Lane. Your destination will be on the left. 

Address

2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520 

Fee: Entry Fee (per person)

There is no entry fee.

Iron and steel were essential commodities fueling the Industrial Revolution. Most were produced in company towns, like the one restored at Hopewell Furnace Historic Site. Learn more about how steel was made by touring this site. The best time to visit is often in the fall when the heritage apples ripen. You can pick them for an additional fee. This site sits next to French Creek State Park, which has a lake and many hiking trails. You can find great places to shop and dine near this location. Valley Forge is located only 23 miles away, so it is easy to combine both sites into a single trip when you bring your RV. Bringing your RV allows you great flexibility in where you go and what you see. If you do not have an RV, rent one on RVshare.com.