2 million acres, 8 forests. It's all in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
If you are looking for an escape this summer, the Pennsylvania Wilds has more than 2 million acres of public land including 29 state parks and eight state forests.
In the northcentral Pennsylvania region, it has an outdoors activity for just about everyone.
“Typically, people will choose the PA Wilds because it’s massive, it’s a region the size of Massachusetts. There’s not a lack of things to do here,” said Britt Madera, communications manager for the Pennsylvania Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship.
The Wilds includes Warren, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Lycoming, Clinton, Elk, Cameron, Forest, Clearfield, Clarion, Jefferson and northern Centre counties. The organization reports that’s about 25% of Pennsylvania, but only 4% of the state’s population lives in the area.
“Whenever we think about the PA Wilds, what we try to do is dissect it into little bite size pieces of where people are going and what do they like to explore in the wilds,” she said about the different landscapes of the region. The Pennsylvania Wilds includes Warren, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Lycoming, Clinton, Elk, Cameron, Forest, Clearfield, Clarion, Jefferson and northern Centre counties. The organization reports that’s about 25% of Pennsylvania, but only 4% of the state’s population lives in the area.
“There’s so much to do here, and there’s such a variety, regardless of what kind of traveler you are. Whether you are a single person who is traveling and really wanting to explore and do some high-energy active adventures, we've got a ton of great outdoor recreation. If you are a couple looking to do more romantic journeys and maybe go to a winery, we have so many wineries here to sit and relax,” she said.
Allegheny National Forest
The Allegheny National Forest is the state's only national woodland.
“It is this big piece of wilderness that has a lot of opportunities for people who want to go camping. They have a wonderful trail system,” she said.
Outside of the forest, there's the Kinzua Bridge State Park and visitors center in McKean County. It has a skywalk to look over the gorge and bridge, one of the tallest and longest railroad bridges in history. The structure is impassable today, as part of it was destroyed in a tornado.
What makes the park worth a visit is that the remaining structure was made into a skywalk about 12 years ago. Visitors can spend time on about 600 feet of the bridge to view miles of the Kinzua Gorge or peek down through the glass platform at the end of the structure.
“It’s a breathtaking view,” Madera said.
Nearby is the iconic Zippo (lighter) and Case Museum, located nearby in Bradford.
“You could literally spend an entire day there,” she said about the attractions.
Cook Forest and the Ancients
“The thing that makes Cook Forest (State Park) very different is it actually has what’s known as the Forest Cathedral,” Madera said. It’s called Cook Forest and the Ancients because that’s where the virgin wilderness was preserved during the early 1900s when much of the state was deforested.
“We have trees that are 400 years old that in other parts of Pennsylvania you are not able to see. That in itself makes it amazing," she said. “It’s one of the most peaceful places I’ve been in the wilds."
If you are into music, theater and festivals, there’s Cook Forest Sawmill Center for the Arts, an outdoor playhouse.
“You can see live theater in the midst of all these massive trees that are surrounding you,” she said.
Dark skies
For stargazing, the Pennsylvania Wilds has some of the darkest skies in the state, making for a "mesmerizing" experience, Madera said. Cherry Springs State Park, the second ever certified international dark sky park, is located in Coudersport.
It’s a place for visitors and photographers as well as the scientific community to see the stars. The park has special red lights that reduce the light pollution for night viewing. Close by is the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, which has the history of the region and how the lumber from the area helped to build the United States.
Another place to consider is Hyner View State Park, a 6-acre park with an incredible view of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
“One of the best views you will ever see in the Pennsylvania Wilds is at Hyner View State Park,” Madera said.
The valley is a popular place for hang gliding. Contact the park at (570) 923-6000 for details.
Elk Country
The Pennsylvania Wilds are home to the largest free-roaming elk herd in the northeastern United States. About 1,300 elk can be found in the region of Elk County. The Keystone Elk Country Alliance welcomes about a half million people to the visitors center each year in Benezette.
“It’s a great family visit,” she said.
Sinnemahoning State Park is nearby and has a hands-on display with tunnels for children to explore.
Straub Brewery in St. Mary’s is one of the oldest breweries in the country, dating back to 1872.
“It’s nice after you do the outdoor stuff, you deserve a little treat,” she said.
I-80 Frontier
The Pennsylvania Wilds are located about halfway between New York and Chicago.
”I-80 Frontier is the gateway into how a lot of people are coming in and experiencing the Pennsylvania Wilds,” Madera said. People are visiting Punxsutawney, DuBois, Clearfield, Bellefonte, Lock Haven and Williamsport. “It’s a very easy drive from one town to another."
There are events held year around to honor Punxsutawney Phil, the prognosticating groundhog, including having him available at the local library for visitors to see.
In the Lock Haven area, Piper Aviation Museum has a variety of Piper planes that show the history of aviation.
Williamsport is the home of Little League and the World of Little League Museum. There's even an intersection that looks like a baseball diamond.
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Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
Pine Creek Valley and the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon are the eastern gateway to the PA Wilds.
“It is just gorgeous. if you’re just going to the Leonard Harrison State Park, they have a really nice view from there," Madera said. The park is undergoing some renovations this summer and fall.
On the other side of the gorge is Colton Point State Park that has a similar view of the Pine Creek Gorge but is not undergoing major construction. The canyon is worth a return trip in the fall when the leaves are changing colors.
The Pine Creek Rail Trail flows through the gorge for hikers and bikers to enjoy the landscape. There are also places for horseback riding.
Hills Creek State Park is another option for viewing the Grand Canyon area.
“There are quite a few waterfalls in the area,” she added. “We have 16,000 miles of rivers, streams, and lakes." The Clarion and Allegheny rivers are known for adventure paddling among kayakers. There are also lakes, dams and reservoirs for more relaxed recreation.
The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship operates conservation shops with gifts and souvenirs that are made in Pennsylvania. One is located at Kinzua State Park, and there is a mobile unit that will be at Hills Creek State Park.
“It adds a different layer to your visit when you can take a part of the PA Wilds home with you,” she said.
The PA Wilds is an affordable place to travel with small towns, and it’s a day trip for people living in many parts of the state. For the casual camper, biker or kayaker, there are a variety of outfitters that rent all that's needed.
“You literally don’t have to bring a darn thing,” she said. “They will even bring you the marshmallows."
Visit pawilds.com to see the list of festivals and more details to plan your summer adventures.
Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on this website's homepage under your login name. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoors ,Twitter @whipkeyoutdoors and Instagram at whipkeyoutdoors.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: What can you do in the Pennsylvania Wilds this summer?
