The Places We Go
The Pennsylvania Wilds is known for its scenic beauty, abundant wildlife, rural traditions, rich history and small town charm. It is a great place to escape the rush of city life or just enjoy the outdoors with friends. Between the forests, parks and game lands, the Pennsylvania Wilds has about as much public land as Yellowstone. Click below to see some of the places we explore on our guided trips.

Pine Creek Rail-Trail: This 62-mile bike, hike and ski trail runs from Wellsboro, Pa. to Jersey Shore, Pa. The trail parallels Pine Creek and passes through several state parks and forests. It is peppered with a few small towns and unique small businesses. USA Today rated the Pine Creek Rail-Trail as one of the 10 Great Bike Tours in the world in 2001.

Pine Creek Gorge: The first 17 miles of the Pine Creek Valley make up the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the “Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.” The gorge owes its character to glacial events and is known for its stunning scenic overlooks and unique habitats (the area is designated a National Natural Landmark). The Pine Creek Rail-Trail (above) runs through the canyon.

Sinnemahoning State Park: This 1,910-acre state park is surrounded by Elk State Forest and located on the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning Creek. It offers picturesque views of the area’s surrounding mountains and deep valleys. The park is known for its wildlife watching opportunities, including nesting bald eagles, elk, and many birds and butterflies.

Bald Eagle State Park: This 5,900-acre park lies in the broad Bald Eagle Valley of northcentral Pennsylvania. It offers spectacular scenic beauty but is probably best known for its birding opportunities. It attracts many bird species, with the adjacent mountain ridge creating an excellent flyway for migrating birds. Every spring, songbirds like warblers, flycatchers and swallows display courtship rituals and sing while searching for nesting spots in the park. Paddlers and beach goers commonly see herons, gulls, geese and osprey around the park's lake. In the fall, visitors can find migrating mergansers, cormorants, and buffleheads.

Sproul State Forest: This 280,000-acre forest is located in western Clinton and northern Centre counties. Land acquisition for it began in 1898 and marked the beginning of the entire Pennsylvania State Forest system. Our guided trips follow sections of the 90-mile long Donut Hole Trail, one of the state’s most remote and beautiful backpacking trails.

Kettle Creek State Park: This 1,793-acre park surrounds Kettle Creek in western Clinton County. The park is in a valley surrounded by mountainous terrain and wilderness and is excellent for trail biking, hiking, cross-country skiing and kayak demos. 

Little Pine State Park: This 2,158-acre park is in a beautiful mountain section of Tiadaghton State Forest and includes the 94-acre Little Pine Lake, where we sometimes hold kayaking demonstrations.

West Branch Susquehanna River: The West Branch of the Susquehanna River plays host to a 228-mile long water trail, meandering through three PA Wilds counties – Lycoming, Clinton, and Clearfield.