Skip to main content
Entire home

Historic stone farmhouse with rail trail and river access

Riverfront vacation home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Historic stone farmhouse with rail trail and river access

Property grounds
Dining
Property grounds
Exterior
3 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Experience the rich history and natural beauty of Ganister House, where you can unwind by a firepit in the spacious yard or explore nearby river and hiking trails. With three en-suite bedrooms, this family-friendly home offers ample gathering spaces to make lasting memories.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Historic stone farmhouse with rail trail and river access

Calling all outdoorsy types, history buffs, train enthusiasts, and Penn Staters - Ganister House is perfect for you! Make some memories at this unique and family-friendly historic home. Originally the site of a log cabin in the 1790s, the home now boasts 3 en-suite bedrooms and a multitude of gathering spaces, including large fenced-in yard with firepit. Easily access historic canal and railroad sites, miles of river and hiking trails, state game lands, and even get to a PSU game in 45 minutes!

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • On a river

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Garden

Similar properties

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Bright carriage house steps from rail trail and river & 45 minutes to Penn State
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, 10 reviews
Bright carriage house steps from rail trail and river & 45 minutes to Penn State

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 50
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

About the neighborhood

Map
Williamsburg, PA

What's nearby

  • Williamsburg Library - 3 min drive - 2.0 miles
  • Riverside Park - 3 min drive - 2.0 miles
  • Williamsburg Borough Office - 4 min drive - 2.2 miles
  • Canoe Creek State Park - 11 min drive - 6.6 miles
  • Frankstown Township Memorial Park - 13 min drive - 9.4 miles

Getting around

  • Altoona Transportation Center - 23 min drive
  • Altoona, PA (AOO-Blair County) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Sizzler - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Villa Capri - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪At The Hop - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪OIP - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Dub Burg Brewhouse - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic stone farmhouse with rail trail and river access pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Historic stone farmhouse with rail trail and river access?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic stone farmhouse with rail trail and river access?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Historic stone farmhouse with rail trail and river access located?

Situated on a river, this vacation home is within 3 mi (5 km) of Riverside Park, Williamsburg Borough Office, and Williamsburg Library. Williamsburg Sportsmens Park and Canoe Creek State Park are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Reviews

Historic stone farmhouse with rail trail and river access Reviews

10

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

10

Eco-friendliness

8.0

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 49 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 50 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Terry S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family wedding weekend

Loved the house! So accommodating for your guests. Everything you need for a country getaway! Would love to visit and stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lori R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming home with modern conveniences

Rooms were spacious and well appointed. The decor and antiques were charmingly blended in with modern updates. Location was perfect for big PSU game. Hosts thought of everything--ample towels, linens, coffee station. Made us
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pat P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Historic Getaway

Loved the house and the location. Close enough to shopping, dining, etc., but far enough away to be secluded. Appreciate that our dogs were able to travel with us and have a secure yard to play in. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to stay in the area. Very responsive host as well.
Stayed 12 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Craig J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome winter weekend on snow trails with family and dogs!

Great property and great location! The six adults and two children along with our family dog had a wonderful visit to this area. The home was very clean with plenty of space and very comfortable. The hike trials are literally out the front door. We had grat fun with walks on the snowy trails. We will be back for adventures in the summer/fall. Awsome viist to theis well maintained property.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jenna M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Lovely Time in a Lovely Home

This house is incredible, one of the best houses my family and I have ever rented! The house is so charming, very clean, and well-stocked with essential items (soaps, linens, detergents, etc.). We love that the hosts kept the historical feel while upgrading some amenities for comfort (central air, updated bathrooms, very comfortable beds). The location couldn’t be beat and we enjoyed walking the Lower Trail daily. We also spent time grilling outside and enjoying the beautiful yard. Without hesitation, we’d love to stay here again. Thank you for opening your home to us!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joyce G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Penn State graduation stay

This gracious and comfortable home was the perfect base camp for our family for Penn State graduation. It is a beautiful 45 minute drive from campus. The location took us out of the hubbub in town and gave us time and space to relax and celebrate. The three bedrooms each with a clean, modern bathroom makes it easy to travel with multiple family units. The kitchen is big, charming and well stocked. We cooked all of our meals in the house and it was a pleasure in that kitchen. The living spaces are generous and very comfortable. The yard is large and fenced. The house is situated in a very historic and picturesque spot, right on a walking and biking trail that we used that each day. Two days of our stay were rainy and the house was a great place to hang out indoors. Our last day was sunny and we got a taste of all of the outdoor opportunities the area affords. The owners were very responsive when we had questions and the house itself had everything we needed, and then some! We would love to go again and explore all that the area has to offer.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Grace C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Blair County Property

The property was very nice and we had everything we needed. There were 4 of us visiting for a quilting weekend. With the dining room, kitchen and sun porch there was plenty of room for us to spread out our sewing machines and fabric and still have room to eat and visit. Each bedroom had it's own bathroom which made it very convenient for the 4 of us staying there. The fenced in yard made the stay nice for my dog as she enjoys being off leash. We also enjoyed being next to the rail trail and took several walks. Make sure you look at the picture of the outside of the house before you go. As stated in the house description, cell signal is not very good and I couldn't get access to my emails once I got there. I had to go into town to get to the email and see what the house looked like from the outside. The house number being put on the front door would be helpful. Thank you Rachel for making your house available to us.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

car

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Stay - Relaxing Vacation

Host communication excellent. Cute house very close to the trail. Close to town, yet quite. Dreamingly comfortable beds - easy to get rest. House has everything you need. Fire pit was thoroughly utilized for smores, mountain pies, hot dogs, and good conversation.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kerri T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The historic farmhouse was beautiful and a relaxing place to stay. The character of the house was preserved and blended seamlessly with modern conveniences. The host was friendly, easy to contact and was quick to respond. The fenced in yard was a bonus for the dogs. The house was centrally located to the places we visited including Raystown Lake, Penn’s Cave/Wildlife Park, Lower Trail Creamery and Farm Tour Friday events at Clover Creek Farm (cheese) and Stone Creek Farm - Lavender Field of Dreams. We would definitely recommend this property.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unforseen change of plans, resulted in fantastic vacation.

No one wants to get that phone call less than a week before your vacation, saying that the house that you had rented a year prior will not be available due to unforeseen circumstances. I was fortunate enough to secure a stay at the Ganister House, and it was an absolute delight. The property was truly exceptional, with features such as ensuites and mini-splits in every room, convenient trail access, and ample table space for games and puzzles. I wholeheartedly recommend this property. Having grown up visiting historical properties, I thoroughly enjoyed examining the house in detail and trying to understand the various renovations it has undergone.The presence of a well-tuned piano in the dining room allowed my 9-year-old daughter to begin iPad piano lessons during our stay, and she made remarkable progress in playing and reading music. (I am now considering purchasing a piano for our home as a result.)The fenced-in yard made it incredibly easy to accommodate our furry family member.My daughter shared that she experienced the best sleep of her life, describing the bed as akin to being in a cloud.I certainly hope we have the opportunity to stay there again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

John B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

As it should be!

Outstanding from booking through the stay and departure. Wonderful place, great host, easy to contact, quick to respond. Beautiful House, well maintained, they thought of everything from tissues to coasters to wood for the fire pit. Great furnishings, comfortable, welcoming, and relaxing.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Easter Dinner

Beautiful property. Great place to stay with the family and dog.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Get away

Good place to get a way for the weekend in the woods.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Duncan D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy Escape

Great property for a cozy escape with family and friends!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sue H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Christmas Vacation

Everything was as expected. Beautiful home. Plenty of room for huge family vacations
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sharon W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great weekend get away!

Excellent!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful, Historic Charm

We absolutely loved this property! Plenty of room for our family, including our two labs, and centrally located to the events that brought us to the area. We would absolutely recommend this property!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jenny S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vacation

The home is beautiful and in a great location. I really liked having the walking trails so close and my daughter loved going down to the river each evening to play in the river. I hope that we will be able to go back again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanne V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

family get-together

This was our second time here. Like before, the hosts were quick to respond to any question and the place is amazing. We especially enjoyed an impromptu firepit family gathering one night where the house even had logs for the firepit and marshmallow forks so that we could make smores. There is also a lovely piano in the house with a variety of sheet music for all levels of players. We plan to come back again.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanne V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The most beautiful historic house

This house is just the best in every way. We will definitely return. We enjoyed biking on the path which is right out front and taking walks to the blue hole and green hole. Next time we hope go make use of the wonderful kitchen and dining room.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pamela

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We loved this place from the moment we arrived. It has all the modern conveniences but they’ve kept historical appearances. The rooms were spacious and the beds were comfy; each bedroom had its own en-suite. It was a perfect location for two of my favorite activities—bicycling and fishing. Too bad the weather didn’t cooperate:( the hosts were gracious and responsive.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Easter Visit

Very comfortable and accommodating. Visiting college son for Easter and was able to bring family and the dog along as well. Perfect! Already booked for the next time.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angelique G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Christmas weekend gathering

Absolutely beautiful home. We all had a blast!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lois S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay in historic home.

We were so impressed from the moment we drove up to the house. It was one of our most memorable vacation homes. Aside from the beauty and comfort, the house was well stocked with all the essentials. We had no issues preparing our Thanksgiving meal in the well equipped kitchen. We loved being so close to the Lower Trail which we walked every day with our dog Maddie. And the huge enclosed yard was a great addition for her and us. We all wished we could have stayed longer the than 5 nights. Hopefully we can stay again. Everything was as described and the host was great! I highly recommend staying here. A beautiful mix of old and new that must be seen in person to fully appreciate.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sharon W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful!

Clean, spacious, beautiful! Perfect location for our family get-together…walking and hiking out the front door; Happy Valley and PSU a fairly short and very pretty drive on 45. We had an excellent family stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023