Laurel Forge Pond Spring, Gardners, PA

## Overview Laurel Forge Pond Spring is a public drinking spring located along Old Railroad Bed Road in the Michaux State Forest near Gardners, Pennsylvania. The spring flows year-round from a white PVC pipe attached to the roadside, just past the scenic Laurel Forge Pond in Cumberland County. Michaux State Forest covers over 85,000 acres of the South Mountain region of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the area around Laurel Forge Pond has a rich history tied to the early iron industry of south-central Pennsylvania. The name "Laurel Forge" itself harkens back to the charcoal iron furnaces and forges that once operated throughout these mountains in the 18th and 19th centuries. The old railroad bed that serves as the road to the spring was likely once a logging or iron-ore rail line, a common feature in this part of the state forest. The spring has historically been used as a drinking water source by hikers and local visitors, though as with any natural spring, water quality can vary and has not been independently verified. ## Directions 1. From Harrisburg, head southwest. Laurel Forge Pond is located in the Michaux State Forest, southwest of the city. 2. Navigate to **Pine Grove Road** in the Gardners area of Cumberland County. 3. Turn onto **Old Railroad Bed Road** from Pine Grove Road. 4. Follow Old Railroad Bed Road past **Laurel Forge Pond**. The spring is on the roadside shortly after the pond. 5. Look for a **white PVC pipe** attached near the road — this is where the water flows. 6. GPS coordinates: **40.035255, -77.271782** (near 98 Ice House Rd, Gardners, PA 17324). *Note: The pond area is also accessible via a short hike from the Pole Steeple trailhead parking lot, located at the top of the hill. This is a popular trail that leads to Pole Steeple overlook and Nice View — both offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding forest.* ## What to Expect The spring is a simple, roadside setup — water emerges from a white PVC pipe near the edge of Old Railroad Bed Road, making it easy to fill bottles directly. The spring is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. The surrounding area is a beautiful stretch of Michaux State Forest, with Laurel Forge Pond providing a tranquil backdrop. The pond itself is a popular spot for fishing and quiet reflection. Nearby, the **Pole Steeple Trail** is a well-known short hike (approximately 1 mile round trip) that leads to dramatic quartzite rock outcroppings with sweeping views of the Laurel Lake area — a worthwhile side trip if you're already visiting the spring. The road is unpaved and can be rough in spots, so a vehicle with decent clearance is recommended, especially after rain. There are no facilities at the spring itself, but the Pole Steeple trailhead parking lot at the top of the hill provides a convenient staging area. Visitors have reported that the water tastes clean and fresh, consistent with the mountain springs found throughout the Michaux State Forest region. However, water quality has not been officially tested or certified, so visitors should use their own discretion.