Outdoor escapes in the rural mountain town of Blue Ridge Summit
In rural and mountainous Pennsylvania, Blue Ridge Summit does its name justice, sitting at about a 1,300-foot elevation. In the 19th century, the community was known as a vacation resort after a railroad came to the town, connecting residents to Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Many wealthy city folks chose to live in the cooler Blue Ridge Summit to avoid the heat before air conditioning was invented. The community remained a resort area with bed-and-breakfasts and lodging that catered to the American elite until World War II, when the country saw a decline in travel. Today, Monterey Country Club within Blue Ridge Summit maintains its position as a summer retreat for many residents in Washington, D.C., which is about a 70-mile commute south. Additionally, Liberty Mountain Resort is a popular skiing destination about 6 miles from town. “Since Blue Ridge Summit is on a mountain, it attracts an outdoorsy and mountain-lifestyle crowd, and Liberty Mountain would attract some second homeowners,” says Jeremy Burkholder, a local Realtor with JAK Real Estate. While the town of less than 900 residents may not be the aristocratic escape it used to be, Blue Ridge Summit still provides seclusion, scenic views and mountain adventures.
Fresh air at local and state parks and Monterey Country Club
Locals can get fresh air and enjoy their natural surroundings on Blue Ridge Summit’s north side, where there are parks, trails and a historic golf course. Monterey Park, maintained by the Blue Ridge Summit Lions Club, features a shaded playground and wooded hiking trails, including connection points to the historic Underground Railroad. Nearby, residents have parking access to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, an over-2,000-mile hiking trail that traverses from Georgia to Maine. “Caledonia also has a lot of hiking trails,” Burkholder says, referring to the state park about 15 miles north of town. “Usually, residents will go for a day trip, and there’s a stream that runs through where people will get in to cool off."
Closer to town, Monterey Country Club is a private golf club that used to be a summer retreat for many former presidents, including Wilson, Coolidge and Eisenhower. The 9-hole golf course was built before 1885, making it one of the five oldest golf courses in the United States. It was built on what used to be a pre-historic glacier, allowing golfers to play amid the background of the Appalachian Mountains.
Skiing and summertime golf at Liberty Mountain Resort
A major perk to living in Blue Ridge Summit is its proximity to Liberty Mountain Resort, a ski resort about 6 miles from town. Winter sports enthusiasts can glide down a 1,190-foot mountain and make use of 100 acres of skiable terrain. The resort also offers eight chairlifts, a snowtubing park and night skiing options. After a day on the slopes, visitors can eat at one of the resort’s several restaurants, including Mckee’s Tavern and Alpine Market. And in the summer, the public Carroll Valley Golf has an 18-hole golf course with a mountainous backdrop.
Ranch-styles and Cape Cods offer Blue Ridge Mountain views
Much of Blue Ridge Summit embodies the quintessential rural mountain town, with two-lane roads and minimal stoplights. Most residences, no matter their location in the community, offer Blue Ridge Mountain vistas, unless these views are obstructed by mature oak or tall pine trees. About 66% of residents own their homes, and many rent them out to seasonal occupants. The housing inventory is low, and it might be hard to find a property for sale at any given time. But when available, ranch-style and raised ranch-style homes are common, the majority built between the 1950s and 1970s. While properties typically sit on about a half-acre, interior sizes can range from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. Price tags generally vary from $190,000 for a home in need of upgrades to $310,000 for a larger property with modern touches. While rare, buyers can also find Craftsman-styles and Cape Cods from the 1930s that have been completely renovated. These slightly larger properties can reach upwards of $525,000.
Diners, taverns and markets that embody small-town charm
Local establishments dominate in Blue Ridge Summit, and no major retailers can be found in the community. To the north, off Route 16, Mountain Shadows is a popular breakfast diner housed in a refurbished train car. The eatery recently added turquoise upholstery to the bar stools and booth seats, adding to its 1950s-style atmosphere. Centrally located in town, B&T’s Unique Bar and Grill is a laid-back roadside stop for motorcyclists passing through. The colonial-style establishment with ample patio seating serves American comfort classics like boardwalk fries, burgers and cheesesteaks, as well as beer and cocktails from a full bar. Nearby, Market 57 is an antique shop stocked with secondhand collectibles, vintage furniture and handmade items. While there are some small convenience stores and a Dollar General in Blue Ridge Summit, residents will need to head to the neighboring town of Rouzerville to run errands and grab groceries at Walmart or Martin’s.
Historic Blue Ridge Summit Library hosts community events
On the south side of town near the Mason-Dixon Line, Blue Ridge Summit Library is held in a renovated train station that reflects the Queen Anne architectural style. The library hosts many free events throughout the year, including an annual ice cream social and 5K, as well as an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony with a Santa meet-and-greet. Near the library, The Church of Configuration is a Tudor Revival house of worship that is home to an Episcopal congregation . The bell tower and church pews from the original 1892 church building were restored and are now used in the new setting.
Waynesboro Area School District serves the area’s students
Students who live in Blue Ridge Summit attend public schools in the Waynesboro Area School District. Learners can start at Hooverville Elementary School, which receives a B-minus rating from Niche, before progressing to Waynesboro Area Middle School, which receives a C-plus. Students can then advance to Waynesboro Area Senior High School, which holds a B-minus and boasts championship-winning golf and swim teams. Additionally, Waynesboro High School’s Quiz Bowl Team, the Brain Busters, recently won the 2025 National Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl.
State Route 16 connects commuters to the surrounding towns
Pennsylvania Route 16, or Buchanan Trail, runs along Blue Ridge Summit’s north side. As it passes through town, the roadway reaches an elevation of 1,330 feet. Route 16 connects residents to U.S. Route 15, about 8 miles east in the busier town of Emmitsburg, Maryland, and to Interstate 81, about 15 miles to the west. For further destinations, Dulles International Airport is about a 65-mile drive south. The area is car dependent, as no public bus or train services the community.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
