Outdoor Recreation

March 13, 2025

Bendigo State Park and the East Branch Clarion River

Throughout the Pennsylvania Wilds can be found stories of reclamation and hope. Bendigo State Park and the East Branch Clarion River is one such story. Once left for dead, this little oasis in Elk County, PA, is now an area thriving with fish, wildlife, and scenic beauty.

March 11, 2025

Learning how maple syrup is made in the PA Wilds (and how you can see a live demonstration!)

Maple syrup and other maple products are a big part of Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy… and it sure is sweet to get an inside look at how those products are made, both by big companies and by small producers at their own homes! Learn about maple syrup with an educational program at Parker Dam State Park, or celebrate maple goodness with the Potter-Tioga Maple Weekend on March 15 and 16, 2025!

March 6, 2025

First signs of spring on the Susquehanna River Greenway

Springtime in Pennsylvania is in the air! As the days grow longer and the weather warms, nature is starting to wake up all around us. Sunlight sparkles on the river, melting the last bits of ice, while the fresh scent of damp earth drifts up from dew-soaked grass. Birds return to fill the air with their cheerful calls, and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in the Pennsylvania Wilds region along the Susquehanna Greenway is teeming with the first signs of spring.

March 4, 2025

BIRD LORE: Speeding up the bird learning curve

How many birds can you name? Many people can name only a few - even people who have bird feeders. Today’s technology, however, can greatly accelerate our learning curve.

February 27, 2025

A new perspective on ‘Brown Season’ and benefits of winter hiking

It’s that time of year again: brown season. The brilliant foliage has faded, daylight is limited, and the skies are often low and gray. Although you may be tempted to grab the nearest blanket and sink deep into your couch for a long winter’s nap, there are still many ways to get out and experience Susquehanna Greenway this time of year. So grab your jacket, pour some tea into a thermos, and head outside to explore your favorite spots this winter. You may just find something you’ve never seen before.

February 25, 2025

Allegheny Front Trail dreamin’

Back in early 2019, I got this idea that I wanted to do the entire 42-mile Allegheny Front Trail in the Moshannon State Forest by foot in one day. I covered 20 miles of it on a cold day that February 2019, a President’s Day adventure on a bit of a whim. The spark was ignited. But shortly thereafter, my right hamstring decided that it did not like running (actually, it had decided that several months earlier but I ignored it – not smart!) — and it was years until I could run more than a few miles with any regularity without my hamstring flaring up.

February 13, 2025

Reasons to love the PA Wilds

As we celebrate Valentine's Day, our hearts are filled with love... not just for our sweethearts, but also for the special place we call the PA Wilds! There are plenty of reasons to love this region: the awe-inspiring landscape that surrounds us, the family and friends we can share memories with, the creative endeavors of our PA Wilds entrepreneurs, tasty food and drinks, and all of the experiences you can have within a three-hour drive. Let’s take a moment and show some adoration and appreciation for the PA Wilds!

January 22, 2025

Deep Green Journey: Patterns

Patterns. We've taken a dive into deep winter here. The usual chatter is gone and in its place the sound of currents sliding, slipping under and through the slowing. The familiar route now crystalized in patterns of wave and wend frozen in time, waiting as the stillness grows around them. I marvel at the creativity woven into the flow, finding a new way today and again tomorrow and the next until a little warmth returns and the sculptures slip away.

January 20, 2025

Things to do around Kinzua Bridge State Park during Skywalk renovations

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 towns such as Kane, Bradford, and Warren. Check out these ideas for your next adventure!

January 9, 2025

A UV night hike at Black Moshannon State Park

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 was beginning the new year with a special night hike. Black Moshannon State Park, which is located along the I-80 Frontier landscape in the southern part of the Pennsylvania Wilds, decided to hold two UV light night hikes for their First Day Hike in 2025.