Outdoor Recreation

October 12, 2023

An autumn walk with my dog in the Quehanna Wild Area

Every once in a while my phone or computer will remind me of photos that I’ve taken in the past and will put them together in an album. An AI-generated title recently popped up on my phone, curating and labeling photos I had taken nearly three years ago: “A fall hike.” Flashback to November 10, 2020. I remember it was an unusually warm day for fall, and I was deep in the throes of pandemic stress. I decided to take an impromptu hike with my dog, Nellie, in one of my favorite spots, the Quehanna Trail in the Quehanna Wild Area.

October 10, 2023

Down Life’s Crazy Road: Kane-Warren fall foliage bicycle trip

This year John Pozza wanted to explore the towns of Kane and Warren in McKean and Warren counties, respectively, as part of an overnight fall foliage bicycle trip along the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the PA Wilds. These two towns have undertaken significant redevelopment the past few years and are "must visit" locations.

September 28, 2023

Trail of the Year Celebration held at Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge trailhead

Out of the thousands of trails in Pennsylvania, a trail of less than 8 miles in northwestern PA was named the 2023 Trail of the Year! The Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge (MJ2KB) Trail is a 7.8-mile-long section of the larger Knox & Kane Rail Trail in McKean County. The former rail line now provides a level trail for walking, jogging, biking, and horseback riding. In winter months, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also popular.

September 25, 2023

Safely navigating trails: How to read trail blazes

Whether it’s your first time or your 100th time, one of the most intimidating aspects of hiking is making sure you don’t get lost. Trails don’t just appear out of nowhere. They are planned, built, and marked, so individuals can safely travel on a set path from trailhead to summit. Thankfully, park staff and volunteers across the Commonwealth maintain our state parks’ and forests’ trails for our outdoor recreation safety. They make sure trails are properly marked to ensure people know where they are going. One way they do so is through trail blazes.

September 22, 2023

Forest Fridays: Fall foliage facts

It’s that time of year again when media interest in fall foliage skyrockets, and the topic seems to be a trendy one for news outlets nowadays. Each year, increasing public interest in fall foliage mirrors that of the media, and it seems to come earlier in September as news outlets push for the lead on stories. We delight in the attention that fall foliage brings because it illuminates the enormous importance of our forests. 

September 21, 2023

Outfitting the PA Wilds: Roambler

When you travel, it makes a world of difference to have someone as your guide, showing you the ins and outs of the region and giving you the expertise you need to have the best trip possible. What if you could always have those seasoned guides along for your journeys? That is exactly what Roambler seeks to do. Rambler is an online peer-to-peer listing and booking platform that links customers to experiences. These customers, called “Seekers,” can find people who host experiences, called “Hosts,” throughout Pennsylvania.

September 18, 2023

Celebrate the Allegheny National Forest’s Centennial on September 24, see full schedule of events

The USDA (United State Department of Agriculture) Forest Service is inviting the public to participate in a day of celebration to commemorate one hundred years since the establishment of Allegheny National Forest. Part of the celebration on September 24, 2023, at Twin Lakes Recreation Center will include food trucks and vendors, ceremonial tree planting, ceremonial cake cutting, gathering items to place in a time capsule, guides hikes and history walks, live music, and remarks from officials.

September 14, 2023

Outfitting the PA Wilds: Destination Marketing Organizations

Destination Marketing Organizations (or DMOs) do a wide variety of things to help visitors have an unforgettable experience in the region. They also support outfitters and other businesses that allow travelers to truly have hands-on adventures. DMOs know their areas of the Pennsylvania Wilds inside-out!

September 7, 2023

Outfitting the PA Wilds: Local Historia

When most people think of outfitters, they imagine businesses that will help them explore the wilderness and waterways by offering guided hiking tours or renting kayaks. However, Local Historia helps travelers explore in a different way… by guiding them through history and culture. Local Historia is based in Bellefonte, Centre County, along the I-80 Frontier landscape of the PA Wilds. Local Historia’s mission is to shine light upon the past, connect you with local history through engaging content, walking tours, and other unique experiences.

September 4, 2023

Finding my peace with paddleboarding

Casey Ferry had only tried standup paddleboarding near the shore and only for a few minutes, but that was just enough of a taste to hook her. The woman who allowed her to use her SUP had smoothly glided away out to the middle of the water between the beautiful mountains so effortlessly. Casey's experience that day was not so effortless, but she's not one to shy away from a goal especially once she sets her sights on it.