Camp Furnace Hills, Denver, PA

Introduction / Overview

Tucked away in the scenic, forested landscape of northeastern Lancaster County, Camp Furnace Hills offers a unique blend of natural adventure and historical immersion that is unparalleled in the region. While the property is a vital asset and flagship campground for the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania (GSHPA), its facilities and surrounding resources provide a wonderful outdoor experience for a variety of users and groups, not just scouting troops. Established in 1947, this small-but-mighty camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and is nestled within the larger Furnace Hills Conservation Area—a critical natural and historical stronghold of the Pennsylvania Highlands.

What truly sets Camp Furnace Hills apart is its commitment to progressive outdoor experiences, ranging from the truly rustic to the comfortably modern. It’s a place where seven-year-olds can have a memorable introduction to cabin camping, and older groups can engage in profound historical programming. The camp is not only a place to sleep under the stars but a venue for hands-on learning, team building, and community service, as evidenced by local troops undertaking projects like planting trees to help establish new trails. The tone here is one of stewardship, discovery, and fun, all delivered within a clean, well-organized, and historically significant setting.

Location and Accessibility

Camp Furnace Hills is conveniently situated for Pennsylvania locals at 300C Project Dr, Denver, PA 17517. This address places it squarely in Lancaster County, near the convergence of Berks and Lebanon counties, making it easily accessible from many of Central and Eastern PA’s major metropolitan areas. The camp is easily reached via local highways and main routes, yet its proximity to the vast natural resources of the Furnace Hills area ensures a true sense of removal and tranquility once on the property. The camp is set on a sizable tract of land that borders significant public-use areas.

Crucially, the camp is adjacent to the renowned Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, an expansive 6,000-acre focal point for wildlife viewing and conservation, particularly known as a critical stopover for migrating waterfowl, including snow geese and tundra swans. Furthermore, the camp offers easy access to the historic Horseshoe Trail, a major recreational amenity that traverses the Pennsylvania Highlands. This strategic location means that local campers have immediate access to thousands of acres of protected open space and miles of hiking trails right outside the camp boundaries, providing endless opportunities for nature study and exploration.

Services Offered

The camp’s mission is built around providing flexible, progressive camping, offering accommodations and facilities that suit various group sizes and comfort levels, from the most basic tent sites to heated, year-round indoor spaces.

Diverse Accommodation Units: Accommodations range from fully rustic units like platform tents (Ferndell Tents and Pioneer Tents) and simple cabins (New Frontiers, Deer Run Cabins) to partially equipped spaces like the rustic Hickory House and the heated Whispering Winds house with a full kitchen.
Unique Lodging Options: The camp features several unique units, including the recently added Covered Wagons, which blend rustic charm with modern amenities like heating, air conditioning, and electricity, offering a truly one-of-a-kind overnight experience.
Modern Indoor Facilities: The Foxfire Program Center is a modern lodge with bunk beds and central heating, while the Infirmary includes private rooms, a full kitchen, and flush toilets with a shower, providing robust, year-round options.
Essential Water and Sanitation: The camp utilizes both central shower houses and more rustic latrines/washstands depending on the unit. Water is often available year-round via frost-free hydrants near many cabin and tent units.
Outdoor Cooking Spaces: Most units are equipped with or are near fire circles, fire rings, and cooking pavilions with gas ranges, supporting troop-style outdoor meal preparation.
Program and Activity Equipment: The camp provides access to specialized program areas, including Archery ranges (requiring certified facilitators and reservations), a Ga-Ga Court, a Traverse Wall, and a Sports Shed stocked for use on the athletic field.

Features / Highlights

Camp Furnace Hills’ defining features are its deep historical connection and its extensive outdoor activities, which provide a rich, educational, and fun environment for all groups, especially those focused on personal development and historical exploration.

The Foxfire House Experience: This is arguably the camp's biggest draw. It is a restored 19th-century Swiss-German stone bank house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Volunteer-led historical programming here allows visitors to step back in time, learning traditional Pennsylvania German skills like baking in a squirrel-tail oven, cooking on a ten-plate stove, or practicing period crafts like scherenschnitte (paper cutting).
Conservation and Wildlife Access: Its location within the Furnace Hills Conservation Area and next to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area offers premier opportunities for nature study, birding (especially during waterfowl migrations), and hiking on extensive, scenic trails.
Variety of Recreational Activities: Beyond hiking and historical programs, the camp offers on-site water activities (including a swimming pool open during summer months), archery, a Challenge Course for team building, and a sledding hill for winter activities, ensuring the camp is utilized year-round.
Connection to Regional Trails: The camp provides excellent access to the surrounding Furnace Hills trails, including connections to the historic Horseshoe Trail, perfect for intermediate to advanced hikers and equestrians.
Educational Resources: Units are equipped with resources like the "Girl Scouts' Guide to Hiking" binder, which includes trail guides, "Leave No Trace" information, and plant identification tips, enhancing the educational component of any visit.

Contact Information

To learn more about group reservations, available programming, or renting a unique space like the new Covered Wagons, you can reach the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania team responsible for Camp Furnace Hills at the information below:

Address: 300C Project Dr, Denver, PA 17517, USA

Phone: (800) 692-7816

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For local Pennsylvanians, Camp Furnace Hills is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it’s an accessible, multi-faceted educational and recreational resource. Its suitability stems from its deep connection to Pennsylvania’s heritage and natural landscape. Residents of Lancaster, Lebanon, and Berks counties, in particular, will find this a perfect destination for short, impactful excursions, whether for a weekend scouting trip, a historical retreat, or simply a desire to access the premier hiking and birding opportunities of the Furnace Hills region.

Unlike typical commercial campgrounds, Camp Furnace Hills offers a structured yet flexible environment ideal for organized groups—from church youth organizations and school groups to family reunions—who are looking for private unit rentals with varying levels of infrastructure. The unique programming centered around the historic Foxfire House allows locals to genuinely connect with the 19th-century Pennsylvania German roots of their community. Furthermore, the extensive on-site activities and proximity to the Middle Creek Wildlife Area provide guaranteed outdoor fun and exploration, making it a reliable and enriching location for building lasting family and troop memories, year after year, right here in the Commonwealth.