Discover Burnham

Burnham offers several reasons to visit: public parks and playgrounds, a free pump track, a glimpse into its iron and steel history, and a historic stone arch bridge on the Kish River. You can decide whether to focus your stay on activity, outdoor recreation, or history.

Recreation throughout the year

Public parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities in the Borough of Burnham are open daily. From May 1 through August 31, the hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; from September 1 through April 30, they are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The seasonal change is clearly defined: during the summer months, opening hours extend further into the evening, while in the other months they end earlier. This is useful when planning a visit to a park or playground as part of your day.

Burnham Pool & Playground includes a swimming pool. Separately, for every public swimming pool owned or operated by the Borough, operating days and hours are set seasonally each year and posted at the pool. If swimming is part of your travel plans, you can check the current information at the pool rather than assume that all pools follow the same annual schedule.

Getting around by bike

The Steelworx Pump Track is located at the Jamboree Grounds in Burnham. The paved facility is free and open to the public. It was designed for people of all ages and skill levels and helps riders develop their cycling skills. The pump track is therefore a specific destination for travelers who want to include an active pursuit in their time in Burnham. Its stated suitability for different ages and experience levels describes what the facility offers, without requiring any particular skills or experience.

There is also a maintenance stand at the SteelWorx Pump Track, equipped with common bicycle tools and an air pump. This means you can associate the location not only with cycling but also with basic bike maintenance when planning your trip. The facility, surface, and equipment offer a clear picture of what makes the pump track distinctive: an asphalt surface, a free public amenity, and a place to develop cycling skills.

Iron and architectural history

The Freedom Forge Marker in Burnham commemorates more than 150 years of iron and steel production. This includes the first steel production using the open-hearth process in 1895. The marker gives your trip a historical connection to the area’s industrial past and highlights that Burnham’s history is told not only through its buildings but also through its iron and steel production. Those interested in this development will find a named memorial site with a specific year and process.

Another way to explore the area’s history is the Stone Arch Bridge Historic Site. It preserves a historic stone arch bridge dating from 1813. Nearby benches and pedestrian connections are also part of the site. The bridge is on the Kish River between Burnham and Lewistown Borough. This offers a chance to focus on the bridge’s architectural history: it dates from the early 19th century and is part of a historic site that also includes the aforementioned seating and pathways.

Kish Creek also features a specifically identified stretch of water. North of Mill Road, this stretch is classified as a High Quality Coldwater Fishery (HQ-CWF) and designated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as Class A Wild Trout Waters. The surveyed area is at Urban Derry Park in Burnham. For travelers interested in waterways, the classification and designation are specific characteristics of this stretch; they refer to Kish Creek, not the Kish River at the stone arch bridge.

If you are looking for a vacation rental in Burnham, these different points of interest can guide your choice of location: cycling, outdoor recreation, swimming, or insights into industrial and architectural history. If you would like to extend your search to another place, you can also explore Lewistown.

For the broader travel overview: Mifflin.