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June 6, 2024

Share your love of waterways with the Susquehanna Greenway Art Contest

The 2024 Susquehanna Greenway Expo Art Contest invites members of the public to design a piece of art, following the prompt “What do you love most about the Susquehanna River?” The deadline to apply is Friday, June 21, 2024 by 5 p.m. Eastern. The winner of the art contest will get their design placed on a water bottle, along with their artwork featured on a sticker.

June 3, 2024

What you need to know about the temporary closure and renovation at Kinzua Skywalk

Everyone loves the soaring heights, tremendous views, and incredible history of the Kinzua Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park in the Pennsylvania Wilds! Recently, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced that the Kinzua Skywalk will be undergoing a multi-year rehabilitation and renovation project, starting after the 2024 fall foliage season. What does this mean for lovers of Kinzua Bridge State Park?

May 31, 2024

Forest Fridays: Cicadas

The appearance of the periodical cicada (genus Magicicada) is an extraordinary event that can evoke feelings of wonder. Their choruses that dominate the soundscape certainly remind us to pay attention to our oft-ignored six-legged neighbors. Endemic to eastern North America, these cicadas occur in distinct broods with 13-year or 17-year life cycles. As if by magic, periodical cicadas suddenly materialize in a synchronous mass emergence, take flight on glittering, orange-veined wings, and sing in an exuberant ensemble just before a final disappearing act. Except for the occasional straggler, they are not heard again for well over a decade.

May 30, 2024

The many trails of the Pennsylvania Wilds

The Pennsylvania Wilds region has more than 1,600 miles of trails… so start lacing up your hiking books and figure out which trail is your favorite! Some of the most popular trails in the PA Wilds region include the North Country Trail through the Allegheny National Forest, the Knox and Kane Rail Trail, the Clarion-Little Toby Rail Trail, the Pine Creek Rail Trail near the PA Grand Canyon, and many more.

May 21, 2024

Urban Connections – Allegheny National Forest offers overnight backpacking experiences

For those who live in places like Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, the Allegheny National Forest can be a daunting place to take a first backpacking trip. The forest is a far cry from city life… trees as tall as buildings, the constant songs of birds or chittering of squirrels, roots and rocks for your feet to navigate, and inky-black darkness at night. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Forest Service offered its first Urban Connections backpacking program at Allegheny National Forest in 2023, and they plan to offer several more similar programs in 2024. 

May 17, 2024

Fire tower preserved for visitors in McKean County, thanks to Lumber Heritage Region

After serving for 49 years in fire detection and forest preservation efforts, a portion of the iconic Prospect Hill Fire Tower is now on display at the McKean County Historical Society, welcoming visitors to experience its rich history. The McKean County Historical Society and the Prospect Hill Fire Tower are in Smethport, at the edge of the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape and the Dark Skies landscape of the PA Wilds region, as well as along the Scenic Route 6 journey.

May 16, 2024

A win as rare as Bigfoot: Cafe offers food challenge

I personally love the idea of Bigfoot. Is he real? I don’t care about the science. I love the stories. The rumors are that you can challenge the legendary cryptid, Bigfoot. Was I up for the challenge? For my birthday, my wife took me out to breakfast at Conspiracy Coffee Co. in Mansfield where I could partake in "The Bigfoot Challenge."

May 9, 2024

Volunteers stop the spread of invasive garlic mustard in Allegheny National Forest

Community volunteers helped with the  successful removal of invasive plants from the Allegheny National Forest with help, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. On Thursday, April 25, 2024, a group of seven volunteers removed 24 lawn bags full of garlic mustard from the Buckaloons Recreation Area at the forest’s annual garlic mustard pull.

May 8, 2024

Places Mom will love in the Pennsylvania Wilds

Mom deserves to be celebrated every day, but especially on Mother’s Day. What better way to honor the mom in your life than by reconnecting her with another mother… Mother Nature! We’ve put together a list of exciting destinations that moms will love visiting in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

May 7, 2024

PA Wilds Stays: Overnight accommodations in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds

Covering more than 500,000 acres, the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is Pennsylvania’s only national forest. It dominates the western end of the Pennsylvania Wilds and features some of the region’s most treasured places and experiences. Choose the lodging establishment that fits your needs, book a night there, and start exploring the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds!