The PA Wilds transforms into a winter wonderland January through March, with breathtaking snowy landscapes and frozen waterfalls creating a truly magical atmosphere. The scenery is simply stunning and offers a unique experience for nature lovers and photographers alike.
The region encompasses opportunities in Cameron, Northern Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren counties.
Image: The PA Wilds Outdoor Discovery Atlas in a outdoor winter wonderland
Additionally, the region offers a wide range of winter activities to enjoy. You can go downhill skiing or snowboarding at one of two ski resorts currently in the region, plus another one that will be reopening in future years:
You can also try your hand at snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on the region’s numerous rails-to-trails or within the Allegheny National Forest.
There are also various state parks in the PA Wilds that offer the same, some that even groom their trails.
Image: Author John Pozza cross-country skiing
Some of the state parks and forests with cross-country skiing or snowshoeing include:
If you’re a fan of wildlife, winter is also a great time for animal tracking and spotting, as the snow makes it easier to identify their tracks and observe them in their natural habitat.
Furthermore, the PA Wilds region is home to charming small towns and villages that hold special events and festivals during the winter months. From holiday parades and ice carving competitions to cozy winter markets and local artisan showcases, there’s always something exciting happening that showcases the region’s unique culture and community spirit.
Image: Wellsboro (in the Pine Creek Valley and PA Grand Canyon landscape of the PA Wilds in Tioga County) is a popular destination in winter due to its picturesque streets. Image by Tim McBride.
It also means fewer crowds compared to peak tourist seasons, allowing you to enjoy a more peaceful and intimate experience with nature. You’ll have more space and tranquility to explore the stunning landscapes and connect with the beauty of the region.
Winter is truly a magical time to discover and appreciate the natural wonders right in our backyard.
John Pozza, of Brookville, is an early childhood education advocate and veteran broadcast journalist. He retired from the Region 1 Early Learning Resource Center based at the Northwest Institute of Research (NWIR) in Erie in 2020, but keeps active as a regular columnist for the Brookville, Brockway and Clarion Mirror, and as a contributing writer for Watershed Books in Brookville, which helped publish his memoir, “Was Anybody Really Listening,” available on Amazon, and his newly released “Conversations on The Neighborhood” on the legacy of Fred Rogers. He also hosts the NWIR Quality Early Learning Show podcast on Soundcloud. John and his wife Lisa live in Brookville with their three cats, Rusty, Ginger and Buttercup. They have a son Matt, a US Navy veteran, who is a graduate of the Claude Pettit College of Law at Ohio Northern University and practicing attorney in Jacksonville, Florida.
Author: Guest Contributor
The Pennsylvania Wilds is home to more than 2 million acres of public land, 50 state game lands, 29 state parks, 8 state forests, 2 National Wild & Scenic Rivers, abundant wildlife, hundreds of miles of land and water trails, some of the darkest skies in the country, and the largest elk herd in the northeast.
The PA Wilds team is grateful to share the many stories of this region through the words and images of our talented guest contributors.