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Enjoy Pennsylvania's Great Outdoors
PA is home to more than 54,000 miles of rivers and streams, 116 state parks, 20 state forests, and the Allegheny National Forest. More than 100 greenways and rail trails are available for non-motorized recreation, including some of the longest bicycle rail trails in the country. Pennsylvania recreational corridors total more than 2000 miles.
Because of these protected natural resources, the state is well known for hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, whitewater sports, and bicycling. These special places can be found throughout the state, always a short distance away from the cities and towns of every region.
And sometimes, getting there is half the fun. There are 19 scenic drives, including the Route 6 scenic drive and State Heritage Corridor that spans 400 miles along the state’s northern regions.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of places to roam. You’re never too far from the countryside in Pennsylvania.
Outdoor & Recreation Blog
Ski in the Poconos
03/02/2019 - 3:50pmFrom the first commercial ski resort in the state to the innovation that brought us modern snowmaking, the Poconos have been dominating the winter sports scene for decades. Learn something new on the beginner slopes or put your skills to the test on the double black diamond trails and terrain parks. With snow fresh on the ground and mo...
Read MoreCross-Country Skiing in the Pennsylvania Wilds
02/10/2019 - 3:12pmLocated within Tiadagton State Forest surrounded by beautiful mountains, Little Pine State Park offers spectacular trails for cross-country skiing. The five-mile Lake Shore Trail parallels the lake and offers mostly level terrain. The multi-use Pi...
Read MoreSnowmobile in the Allegheny National Forest
12/29/2018 - 6:44pmRolling mountain ranges, vast swaths of forested landscape, and fun, year-round recreation for the whole family are abundant in Pennsylvania’s only National Forest. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds, the Allegheny National Forest is the perfect destination for a winter adventure in t...
Read MoreSki Pennsylvania's Slopes
12/01/2018 - 12:58pmWinter in Pennsylvania isn’t being snowed in, hiding from the cold weather. It’s outdoor adventure and exciting exploration of our rugged, forested terrain. Pack the skis and escape to Pennsylvania’s mountainous and rugged landscape that has allowed us to build some of the East Coast’s best skiing and snowboarding slopes in every regio...
Read MoreCamelback Mountain’s Treetop Adventures
10/23/2018 - 6:55amCamelback Mountain is a great spot for enjoying the natural beauty of the Poconos--and the terrifying things within them. This Halloween season, visit Camelback Mountain for some of the scariest fall attractions in the region. Glide through the moonlit forest after dark on Pennsylvania’s only mountain roller coaster or zip down the double barrel...
Read MoreBirdwatching at Bald Eagle State Park
09/20/2018 - 9:54amActually named after a Native American chieftain, Bald Eagle State Park is, as the name suggests, an excellent spot for bird watching and catching sight of our rare national bird. This state park is located in the broad Bald Eagle Valley of northcentral Pennsylvania, at the cusp of two extraordinary geological provinces. To the north, the Allegh...
Read MoreStar Gazing at the International Dark Sky Preserve in PA
08/19/2018 - 7:36pmIn a world where light pollution has rapidly diminished our view of the stars, Pennsylvania has something special. Most Americans have never seen it, or at least can’t anymore, but 150 years ago, the night sky was ablaze with a billion stars and the purple haze of the Milky Way’s stardust arched across the heavens like a river. Meteor showers p...
Read MorePine Creek is Gorge-ous!
07/31/2018 - 6:55pmOur namesake may be all about our famous forests (and we take pride in being their caretakers) but Pennsylvania has a diverse landscape that is full of some of the planet’s most beautiful natural landmarks. Other than the endless expanse of woods teeming with wildlife, it’s the deep gorges and the streaming waterfalls of the Pennsylvan...
Read MorePaddling Pennsylvania's Rivers
07/05/2018 - 12:06pmPart of Pennsylvania's signature landscape is its waterways; from the astounding mile-wide expanse of the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg to the world-famous confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers at Pittsburgh that form the Ohio River, some of the most impressive freshwater formations on the continent are in Pennsylvania. Explore th...
Read MoreWalk the Streets of Pittsburgh on These Self-Guided Tours
05/13/2018 - 5:36pmJust as the brochures from the Pittsburgh History & Landmark Foundation read, there’s nothing like walking to get you in touch with a place. You’re up close and personal with your surroundings and your senses are put on overload as you touch, see, smell, and hear the area you’re in. Whether you’re a longtime resident, born and raised, or nei...
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