The PA Wilds

25/01/2025

While the iconic Skywalk undergoes a transformation, there's so much more to explore around Kinzua Bridge State Park!

✅ Uncover local history at the Kinzua Bridge Visitor Center
✅ Walk or bike the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge (MJ2KB) Trail
✅ Explore the charming town of Mount Jewett
✅ Visit nearby gems like Kane, Bradford, and Warren

From breathtaking trails to local flavors, adventure awaits! What’s on your must-do list?

Learn more about all the things to do around Kinzua Bridge State Park: https://bit.ly/4jyZvtF

As the Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park will be temporarily inaccessible for the next few years for renovations, except during brief stints during the fall foliage season, what can you do instead around the park? There are many ways to keep exploring, whether it's in the park itself or nearby tow...

23/01/2025

Back in the 19th and 20th Centuries, life in Pennsylvania’s lumber camps was rugged and demanding, yet for some, it was also a family affair. Families like Alma and Jake Swanson’s not only worked in the camps but lived and thrived there, carving out a unique existence in the midst of Penn’s Woods. Their story provides a rare glimpse into the lives of women, children, and families who helped sustain the camps during the early 20th century.

Read more:

Life in Pennsylvania’s lumber camps was rugged and demanding, yet for some, it was also a family affair. Families like Alma and Jake Swanson’s not only worked in the camps but lived and thrived there, carving out a unique existence in the midst of Penn’s Woods. Their story provides a rare glim...

23/01/2025

Groundhog Day is the most world-renowned event held in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

In Punxsutawney, 1886 marked the first time that Groundhog Day appeared in the local newspaper. The following year brought the first official trek to Gobbler's K**b. Each year since then has seen a steady increase in participation of the celebration from people all over the world.

Will we see you in Punxsutawney on February 2?

21/01/2025

Enjoy the unique community character of many small towns and cities. Talk to the locals – many of whom have lived in the Pennsylvania Wilds for multiple generations, since their ancestors first immigrated to the United States. Our communities are home to charming small businesses and thriving artisan communities that add to your experience.

See and do, the way 🌲 pawilds.com/see-do

21/01/2025

Craving something sweet? 🍫

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration between the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship and Highland Chocolates! Now you can enjoy delightful chocolate creations that celebrate the spirit of the PA Wilds with every bite.

Highland Chocolates has designed two exclusive PA Wilds-branded treats, including a brand-new product now available at the PA Wilds Conservation Shop at Kinzua Bridge State Park and the Highland Chocolates store.

Read on to see what other sweet treats you can expect this spring! https://bit.ly/42odLQ2

19/01/2025

It's the perfect season to get cozy in the .

Our state parks, state forests and the Allegheny National Forest offer plentiful opportunities to explore your wild side and all that nature has to offer. Many offer lodging amenities, and backpacking is permitted on state and national forestlands. In addition, there are plentiful places across the Pennsylvania Wilds that offer you a place to rest and rejuvenate – including inns, cabins, bed and breakfast establishments, and more!

Plan your visit 🌲 pawilds.com/stay-play

16/01/2025

Do you have an eye for catching the perfect shot while making memories in the PA Wilds? If you’ve snapped a photo of a winter wonderland, a great catch, a hiking adventure or a stunning scenic view in Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region, that photo could win you some cash!

Check out the themes and prizes for 2025: https://bit.ly/4gQsOX1

15/01/2025

Covering 3,394 acres of forest and wetlands, Black Moshannon State Park is a conservation and outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with unique, natural environments. More than 43,000 acres of the Moshannon State Forest surround the park and help create a remote and wild setting that provides recreational opportunities in all seasons.

14/01/2025

Looking for the perfect Valentine's Day gift? When you shop the PA Wilds Marketplace, you’re not just buying a one-of-a-kind item; you’re supporting the talented artists and craftsmen of the region. All the items sold on the Marketplace's online platform are produced by artists and businesses right here in the PA Wilds.

Give a gift from the heart of the this Valentine's Day. ❤️

Browse products: https://bit.ly/3RRN2o7

12/01/2025

PA Wilds team member Britt Madera kicked off her New Year with a glowing adventure! 🔦

On January 1, Madera joined Black Moshannon State Park for their First Day Hike, a UV light night hike along the Bog Trail. The group had the chance to witness some incredible plants that glowed in white, yellow, green, or orange colors under the UV lights.

Discover the unique, glowing flora they encountered—read the full article here:

The dawn greeted a new year on Wednesday, but my real New Year’s Day celebration started after the sun set on the first day of 2025. Although I’ve done daytime hikes as part of the First Day Hike initiative in years past (like my hike at Parker Dam State Park in 2024), this was the first time I ...

10/01/2025

Join Bruce Buckle, retired educator and President of the Lycoming Audubon Society, as he shares the joys and challenges of birding in the colder months. Whether braving the cold outdoors or spotting unique species at your home feeder, this season offers incredible opportunities to connect with nature and support vital bird conservation efforts.

Learn more about winter birding in the PA Wilds: https://bit.ly/4ha9GTo

📷 Image: Female Purple Finch – Pamela Underhill Karaz, APA 2016

It was cold and the wind was blowing hard but there I was with two friends scanning the whitecaps of Rose Valley Lake in Lycoming County, hoping for a “fallout” of waterfowl and vagrant species. Winter birding in these kinds of conditions can be challenging, but also rewarding. We didn’t find ...

10/01/2025

While it is important to respect the amazing, wild creatures of the Pennsylvania Wilds region and their natural habitats, the opportunities to witness these animals in our backyard is an experience that can't be matched.

Gaze into fields and the forest and you might see wild elk, white-tailed deer, bobcat, fox, black bear, beaver, raccoon or other wildlife.

Wildlife viewing in the — pawilds.com/activity/wildlife-viewing

08/01/2025

The Susquehanna River carries a rich history of innovation and adventure, evolving from a vital transportation route for the lumber industry to a cherished destination for recreational paddlers, boaters, and more. This beautiful natural asset has undeniably shaped the region into what it is today.

Learn more about the legacy of the Susquehanna River: https://bit.ly/42a4tXP

At approximately 340 million years old, the Susquehanna River is older than the Nile, the Thames, and the Amazon rivers, spanning 672 miles across three states. It’s no wonder that over time, people in central Pennsylvania and beyond have returned to the river to celebrate its history and seek out...

08/01/2025

A portion of Wildlife Management Unit 4D is within the Pennsylvania Wilds region. Take caution and be aware of the extended deer rifle season.

If you're planning on visiting a state forest this month, please be aware of the extended deer rifle season in parts of Pennsylvania.

The extended rifle season for antlerless deer is Jan. 2-20 in Wildlife Management Units 4A, 4D and 5A.

Non-hunting forest users should be safe and be seen by wearing at least one piece of hunter orange clothing visible from all directions.

Hunters must abide by the standard orange requirements as set forth in the official regulations.

All forest users should be aware of other winter recreational use during this time, including snowmobiles when snow is sufficient.

Find more info at www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc.

08/01/2025

Traveling in the Pennsylvania Wilds is full of endless discoveries and unexpected pleasantries. The sights will astound you. The communities will humble you. And the experience will leave you with anticipation for your next return. However, no excursion is complete without knowing where you’ll rest your head. And for those inclined to reel at the thought of winter camping, it’s always a safe bet to pre-plan your lodging accommodations to be sure a bed is ready and waiting for your arrival.

With a little research, you’ll find a variety of lodging options, from bed and breakfasts and inns, to cabins and other unique lodging experiences.

Find your (overnight) home away from home in the PA Wilds —

No excursion is complete without knowing where you’ll rest your head. Check out these 10 charming places to stay across the PA Wilds, organized by location.

07/01/2025

The Pennsylvania Wilds is an easily accessible region encompassing one of the biggest blocks of green between New York City and Chicago, with more than 2 million acres of public land.

Ready to travel across the Wilds and savor our region’s bounty of natural beauty and friendly towns?

06/01/2025

Did you know that of the 14,000 covered bridges constructed across the United States, 1,500 were built in the State of Pennsylvania between 1820 and 1900? In our recent blog, we dive into the history of bridges built along the Susquehanna River that have connected our communities for more than two centuries.

Learn more about the history of these architectural masterpieces: https://bit.ly/40lq4v7

The Susquehanna River is a piece of living history, connecting communities to the natural landscape throughout Pennsylvania. Bridges make up one building block in this network of connections, and many of them used to be covered. Of the 14,000 covered bridges constructed across the United States, 1,5...

06/01/2025

Travel like a local. When you're exploring the communities and public lands of the Pennsylvania Wilds, look for opportunities to volunteer with local organizations.

The benefits of volunteering are incredible, and it’s well worth it to make some time in your life to give back as a volunteer. You can help worthwhile causes, be a good steward of local lands, change things to be more equitable and accessible, build a sense of community, and help others discover why you’re so passionate about the things that are important to you.

Volunteer in the Wilds — pawilds.com/activity/volunteer