LeTort Spring Run Nature Trail
Letort Spring Run Nature Trail is a 2-mile, easy, ADA‑accessible rail trail in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It runs from Letort Park to a trailhead on South Spring Garden Street, following the Letort Spring Run—the limestone stream known for fly fishing. The trail is used for hiking, biking, walking, and fishing, and it features benches, picnic areas, rest areas, and a community garden.
The surface varies along the route: cinder, dirt, grass, and some paved sections, including about 8,757 feet of gravel between Letort Park and Lamberton Middle School. The path mostly follows the old bed of the South Mountain Railroad, which was built around 1869–1870 to move ore and connect Pine Grove Furnace to Carlisle.
History and purpose: In 1973, locals formed the Letort Regional Authority to preserve the Letort Spring Run and its watershed. The Authority protects the stream, promotes flood control, and develops access and recreational opportunities. The trail is supported by many groups, including Dickinson College and local businesses, schools, and organizations.
Facilities and access: At Letort Park there are ADA‑accessible restrooms, benches, picnic areas, and a community garden near Noble Boulevard operated by Lambert Middle School students. The trail is open year‑round, but be careful near the water.
Events and programs: There are no major annual events, but programs like Simply Moving promote physical activity and watershed conservation.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 05:12 (CET).