Festival Homepage
The Pulpit, which is the launch site of the Festival, is jointly owned by the CHGPA and MHGA. All pilots registered for the Festival, and their family and friends, are welcome to camp there free of charge, first-come, first-serve. There's space for roughly 20 tents in the setup area. But please be aware that there are NO facilities on-site.
The campfire, raffle, and party are all held at the Pulpit, so it's a popular choice as a place to stay. Arrive early on Friday night to ensure a space!
Note: Unless prior arrangements have been made, at least one person at each camp site at The Pulpit must be a registered Festival participant, due to space limitations.
If you don't feel like "roughing it" at launch, a room at Johnnie's Motel in McConnellsburg is a great choice at a great price.
Johnnie's has long been a friend of our Hang Gliding and Paragliding Festival, by helping to supply our cookout and providing space for static hang glider displays in past years. The rate for a single room with one queen-sized bed is about $50/night (plus tax). A double with two queen-size beds goes for a bit more, at around $60 per night.
So, split with a friend, this means you'll be able to enjoy Johnnie's hospitality for about $60 if you stay both Friday and Saturday nights. Shower! Bathroom! The Weather Channel! Whatta deal for the camping-impaired! ;-)
Make sure you mention that you're in town for the Festival if you stay at Johnnie's.
Johnnie's Motel
709 Lincoln Way, East
McConnellsburg, PA
17233
717-485-3116
Johnnie's Motel is located in McConnellsburg, PA, near the intersection of Lincoln Way East and Route 16, across from McDonald's.
If a Bed & Breakfast is more your style, The McConnellsburg Inn offers three rooms with private baths, at a rate of $85/night (single occupancy) and $95/night (double occupancy). There is also one suite available at the inn.
More information about The McConnellsburg Inn, including rates and room photos, is available at their website.
Make sure you mention our Festival if you decide to reserve a room!
Address:
The McConnellsburg Inn
131 West Market Street
McConnellsburg, PA
17233
Phone Number:
Directions:
The McConnellsburg Inn is located in McConnellsburg, PA, two blocks west of the Market Steet and Route 522 intersection.
Additional camping, with facilities, is available at nearby Cowan's Gap State Park, just a few miles from the Festival's launch site. The Friday/Saturday rates for campsites (restrooms and hot showers nearby) are $18.50/night for non-Pennsylvania residents and $16.50/night for residents.
Ten rustic cabins (no indoor plumbing, but with refrigerator, fireplace, heat, etc) that sleep four to five people are also available. The Friday/Saturday rates are $53/night for non-Pennsylvania residents and $44.00/night for residents, plus 6% tax.
See the Cowan's Gap State Park website and the State Park Price Guide at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the latest information about park facilities and camping fees.
Campsites and cabins can be reserved online. Just select Cowan's Gap from the park-list pulldown menu, select a date, and then follow the rest of the screens. This PDF map of the park may help you to choose a camping site.
Phone Number:
Directions:
As you crest the ridge outside of McConnellsburg on Route 30, you'll see the Mountain House Bar and Grill. Directly opposite the Mountain House is Aughwick Road (paved). Follow Aughwick a 6.0 miles, down into a valley. The park entrance will be on your left. See the area map of The Pulpit, or visit our Maps webpage for more information. Also, watch for the brown and white park signs for Cowan's Gap.
The town of Mercersburg, about 20 minutes from the Pulpit, offers several inns and bed-and-breakfasts. Rooms start at around $100 per night, and can go substantially higher if you are in the mood for a luxurious stay. If you stay in Mercersburg, please feel free to pass along your comments about your accomodations, they could be helpful to other pilots.
| Location | Nightly Rate, 2-persons | Website/Phone |
|---|---|---|
| The Steiger House B&B | $95 to $135 | www.steigerhouse.com 717-328-5757 |
| The Mercersburg Inn | $140 to $400 | www.mercersburginn.com 717-328-5231 |
| The James Buchanan Hotel | Starting at $95 | www.jamesbuchananhotel.com 717-328-3008 |
Directions:
Mercersburg is a short 20 minute drive from the Pulpit:
♦ East on Rt-30 (away from McConnellsburg)
♦ Down the mountain
♦ South on Rt-75 for several miles
♦ Right at the first stop sign
♦ Left at Route 16 and proceed into town
Additional accomodations can be found a bit further away, in Greencastle PA. Greencastle is about a 30 minute drive from The Pulpit.
A list of Greencastle motels is available from dutchcountry.worldweb.com. Here are some of the motels they feature:
| Comfort Inn | 717-597-8164 |
| Econo Lodge | 717-597-5255 |
| Rodeway Inn | 717-597-7762 |
| Castle Green Inn | 717-597-3136 |
Directions:
Exit from the Pulpit parking lot and follow the gravel road back to Route 30. Turn right, and you are headed East on 30. Go down the mountain to the first intersection, turning right onto Route 75 South. Turn left onto Lemar Road after about 2 miles. Follow Lemar Road to Upton, and then make a left onto Route 16 (eastbound). Follow Route 16 into Greencastle.
NOTE: A new restaurant and bar appears to have replaced McKinstry's in Mercersburg. We don't have the name or phone number yet, or any details about the menu. If you can provide any information about the new place please pass it along.
McKinstry's Pub is a great place for dinner, about 20 minutes from the Pulpit in nearby Mercersburg. Good food, great beer selection, reasonable prices, and casual enough to handle a crowd of scruffy-looking pilots after a day of flying.
More information about McKinstry's, including their menu, is available on the web at www.mercersburg.com/mckinstry/index.html
Address:
McKinstry's Restaurant
5 North Main Street
Mercersburg, PA
Phone Number:
Directions:
Exit from the Pulpit parking lot and follow the gravel road back to Route 30. Turn right, and you are headed East on 30. Go down the mountain to the first intersection, turning right onto Route 75 South. This will take you into Mercersburg's outskirts. Make a left when Route 75 intersects Route 16, and then follow 16 East until you reach Mercersburg's central square; McKinstry's will be on your left.
Johnnie's Diner, conveniently located next to Johnnie's Motel, can start your day off right with their breakfast bar, or order from a complete breakfast menu.
Phone Number:
Directions:
Johnnie's Diner is located in McConnellsburg, PA, near the intersection of Lincoln Way East and Route 16, across from McDonald's.
Festival Homepage