Explore Outdoor Pennsylvania

Spring/Summer

Visit Pennsylvania during the spring or summer and experience excellent hiking trails, fun afternoons filled with horseback riding, and a wide range of fishing chances.

Hiking
Pack your hiking boots and head out to any of the nature trails around the state. The Allegheny National Forest features miles and miles of hiking trails spread across its 325 acres. Try the Minister Creek Trail, the Morrison Hiking Trail, or the North Country National Scenic Trail. Make the scenic drive in from St. Marys, Du Bois, or Grove City.

Explore northeastern PA and the Poconos for more excellent hiking. Check out Bushkill Falls, not far from Tannersville and Bethlehem, for some truly pristine hiking trails. Known as "Niagara of Pennsylvania," Bushkill Falls features the Red Trail, Blue Trail, Yellow Trail, and Green Trail.

Boating & Fishing
Be sure to travel with a stoked tackle box in order to land any record-setters. The fishing in Pennsylvania is bountiful, with a slew of lakes, rivers, and recreation areas just waiting for your line.

Caledonia State Park yields full days of casting and landing trout, both rainbow and brown. Drive in from Chambersburg and try your luck at Carbaugh Run, and the east branch of the Conococheague.

At the Black Moshannon State Park, you'll have the 250-acre Moshannon Lake to explore – launch you boat, or cast out from the shore and its many docks. It's a short drive in from Clearfield.

Horseback Riding
Whether you're a novice or a well-seasoned rider, check out some of these ideal destinations for horseback riding. Bald Eagle State Forest features a robust landscape for riding, while the Bureau Clear Creek State Forest in Clarion also yields an impressive terrain for the horses.

Explore the Elk State Forest on horseback, which is found in Emporium, or visit the Gallitzin State Forest in Edensburg for an excellent array of trails. Near Quaktertown, enjoy the scenic beauty of Old Bethlehem on horseback at Lake Towhee.

A few other things...
When you visit Tannersville during the summer, enjoy a fun day of splashing, swimming, and lazy rivers at the Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark.

It would be difficult to visit Pennsylvania and not explore the rich early-American history. Be sure to take the family over to the Gettysburg National Military Park for a look at the spot where Abraham Lincoln famously gave his Gettysburg Address.

Fall/Winter

When your travel plans have you visiting PA during the fall or winter, you'll find a unique selection of outdoor fun. From the ice fishing, to the skiing, and even some snowmobiling areas, enjoy your winter visit to PA.

Skiing
Explore western PA and head for the Boyce Park Ski Area, not far from downtown Pittsburgh. You'll find nine different runs, each presenting their own challenges, and two double lifts. Make the drive in from Bentlyville and try snowboarding, downhill skiing, and cross-country skiing at Boyce Park.

Bear Creek Mountain, a short drive northeast of Shillington, you'll have a sprawling ski paradise of nearly 330 acres. Bear Creek Mountain proves to be ideal for families, as they also features snowtubing, an excellent way for the kiddos to get involved.

If you visit York this winter, do not miss the AvalancheXpress at Heritage Hills. It's an intense downhill ski experience, ideal for those with a bit of experience. AvalancheXpress also features indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks.

Ice Fishing
As soon as fall hits, the lake at Parker Dam State Park is re-stocked with a healthy amount of trout. Once the water freezes over, head out and find your spot on the lake for some ice fishing. Drill your hole and drop your line – bundle up and stay warm.

When you explore the Gifford Pinchot State Park, you'll have access to the nearly 340-acre Pinchot Lake. Many of the same ice fishing rules apply – watch for ice thickness, and anything under six inches should be tossed back in. Be sure to also plan on ice fishing on Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park – it's known to yield impressive hauls of largemouth bass.

Snowmobiling
A fun way to cover large amount of snowy ground, snowmobiling is a popular and fun winter activity. Visit the Allegheny Snowmobile Loop in Warren for some of the most scenic views in all of PA. All together, there are 360 miles of trails to explore atop your snowmobile at the Allegheny Snowmobile Loop.

As one of the premier winter destinations in Clarendon, Chapman State Park yields a full day of snowmobiling. Chapman State Park is the trailhead which leads you into nearly 300 miles of trails in the Allegheny National Forest.