Pine Grove Furnace General Store - Gardners, Pennsylvania

Pine Grove Furnace General Store: A Trailside Haven

For hikers and visitors alike, the Pine Grove Furnace General Store stands as a vital and beloved landmark in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Trail. Located at 1 Bendersville Rd, Gardners, PA 17324, this establishment offers more than just basic supplies; it’s a cornerstone of the trail community and a memorable stop for anyone exploring the region. With a dedicated phone line at 174864920, the store is easily accessible and provides a welcome respite from the trails.

Specialties and Services

The Pine Grove Furnace General Store primarily operates as a convenience store, stocking a variety of essential items for hikers and locals. However, its offerings extend beyond typical convenience store fare. It’s renowned for its grill and ice cream shop, a combination that has earned it legendary status among trail enthusiasts. The story of the ‘half gallon of ice cream’ celebration after completing a portion of the Appalachian Trail is a well-known tradition, highlighting the store’s role as a reward and a moment of shared accomplishment.

• Trail Food & Supplies: A selection of snacks, drinks, and trail essentials.
• Grill & Ice Cream: Offering burgers, hot dogs, and a wide array of ice cream flavors.
• Hiker Burger: A signature item, consistently praised for its generous portion and quality ingredients – a 1/3 lb hamburger, American cheese, bacon, an egg, tomato, and avocado.
• Other Provisions: A range of other food items and basic necessities.

Location and Accessibility

The store’s strategic location near the Appalachian Trail makes it a critical resource for hikers. It’s situated within a beautiful park setting, adding to the overall experience. Notably, the store boasts a wheelchair accessible parking lot, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and ensuring access for all visitors. The quick visit nature of the store makes it a practical stop for those with limited time.

Directions: From Gardners, PA, follow Bendersville Road towards the Appalachian Trail. The store is easily visible from the road. GPS coordinates are available for precise navigation.

Points of Interest & Additional Information

Beyond its core offerings, the Pine Grove Furnace General Store provides several additional conveniences. Delivery services are available, catering to those who require supplies brought directly to their location. For those seeking immediate gratification, same-day delivery is also offered, streamlining the process of obtaining essential items. The store accepts credit cards, providing flexibility for customers. The store’s layout encourages a quick visit, ensuring efficient service and minimizing wait times.

Customer Feedback & Reputation

The Pine Grove Furnace General Store enjoys a consistently positive reputation, as evidenced by its 18 reviews on Google My Business. The average opinion is a remarkable 4.7/5, reflecting the high level of customer satisfaction. This score speaks volumes about the store’s commitment to quality service, friendly staff, and a welcoming atmosphere. While specific details from the reviews are not repeated, the overall sentiment consistently highlights the store’s value as a reliable resource and a cherished part of the trail experience.

Overall Impression: The Pine Grove Furnace General Store is more than just a store; it's a destination. It’s a place where hikers can refuel, celebrate their accomplishments, and connect with the spirit of the Appalachian Trail. Its convenient location, diverse offerings, and commitment to accessibility make it an indispensable stop for anyone exploring the region. The combination of a classic general store with a unique grill and ice cream operation creates an experience that is both practical and memorable.

👍 Reviews of Pine Grove Furnace General Store

Anthony P.

5/5

This store has a small grill and ice cream shop, where hikers routinely eat a half gallon of ice cream to celebrate their accomplishment of completing half the Appalachian Trail. We went with the hiker burger, voted the best burger on the trail. 1/3 lb hamburger, american cheese, bacon, an egg, tomato, and an avocado. It was great! This is a great little location in an amazing park.

Joseph G.

5/5

Truly excellent burgers. The staff was super busy and very kind at the same time keeping up with all the orders and did an excellent job managing all the demand. Super neat spot to have right inside Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Giffy

5/5

This place is very hiker friendly, just get there half an hour before closing if you want hot food. Has all the essentials but not much more. Staff was friendly and it was a nice place to hang out and eat too much icecream.

Morgan E.

5/5

BEST FRENCH FRIES EVER!!! And Great Hospitality...perfect spot for when u need a break off the trails

Matt P.

4/5

If you catch them when they're open. Good was good at not horrible rates. There were three hikers who were treated like celebrities by the majority senior citizens that were lounging about enjoying the beautiful day.

Rikk L.

5/5

Awesome stop if either hiking or driving by. I had the hiker burger and it was prepared perfectly. Even the 🍟's came out hot and good. They have ice cream for AT'ers looking to do the 1/2 gallon challenge. I only got a pint and after my meal couldn't even finish that. Haha

Keira B.

2/5

We heard great things, were hiking the Appalachian trail and needed to do the half gallon challenge here, the girl working today closed up twenty minutes early and we didn’t get to do it, an iconic part of the trail to celebrate our half way point. We also couldn’t resupply here so I’ll be hiking 20+11 miles on leftover snacks to make it to the next town over.
Basically I’m saying, closing 20 minuets early can have a huge effect on some customers and we were really let down.

Erin S.

5/5

Stopped for a bite to eat touring through Pine Grove Forest. Had a great burger there. Huge burger for price with cheese, onion ring, bbq sauce, lettuce and tomato. Hand cut fries were delish too! Highly recommend.