Winter Fun: Outdoor Activities to Keep You Warm Despite the Cold

Every season offers something special in the Pennsylvania Wilds. In fact, having four distinct seasons is part of the region’s allure.

One of the most beautiful times to visit the Pennsylvania Wilds is wintertime. Although the lush leaves have fallen, the land is often sprinkled with snowy white dust, the air is crisp, and familiar views suddenly have a new aesthetic.

New adventures also become possible.

In Elk State Forest, for example, there are nearly 100 miles of snowmobile trails, as well as 23 miles of cross-country ski trails.

State parks and forests offer plenty of open spaces for folks to get their equipment and get outdoors. For example, you can go snowshoeing or ice skating at Cook Forest State Park…. try cross-country skiing at R.B. Winter State Park… or see if the conditions are right for ice fishing at Kettle Creek State Park.

Or, you can check out the wintry scenes while hiking the Commonwealth’s only national forest: the Allegheny National Forest (and go snowmobiling there, too).

Check out the list of activities below, and the state parks and forests where those activities are permitted.

Cross-country skiing:

• State Forests: Cornplanter and Tiadaghton
• State Parks: Bald Eagle, Black Moshannon, Chapman, Cook Forest, Denton Hill, Hills Creek, Kettle Creek, Little Pine, Ole Bull, Parker Dam,  Raymond B. Winter, Sinnemahoning, Sizerville and S.B. Elliott.

Snowmobiling:

• State Forests: Elk, Sproul, Susquehannock, Tiadaghton and Tioga
• State Parks: Black Moshannon, Chapman, Colton Point, Hyner Run, Kettle Creek, Little Pine, Lyman Run,Ole Bull, Parker Dam, Raymond B. Winter, Sinnemahoning, Sizerville and S.B. Elliott

Ice Fishing:

• State Parks: Bald Eagle, Black Moshannon, Chapman, Elk, Hills Creek, Kettle Creek, Little Pine, Lyman Run, Parker Dam, Raymond B. Winter and Sinnemahoning

Ice Skating:

• State Parks: Bald Eagle, Black Moshannon, Chapman, Clear Creek, Cook Forest, Hills Creek, Kettle Creek, Little Pine, Lyman Run, Parker Dam, Raymond B. Winter and Sinnemahoning

Sledding:

• State Parks: Bald Eagle, Chapman, Clear Creek, Cook Forest, Hills Creek, Kettle Creek, Little Pine, Lyman Run, Parker Dam and Raymond B. Winter

Ice Boating:

• State Parks: Bald Eagle, Black Moshannon, Chapman and Elk

Various local activities are offered that complement the landscape and celebrate the season, providing plenty of great opportunities to get out of the house, revel in the season a moment, and create new memories with family or friends throughout the Pennsylvania Wilds.

For more information on specific winter activities on state park and forest lands, visit http://maps.dcnr.pa.gov/storymaps/winteractivities/#overview and to see special events visit http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/.