1. Little Juniata Natural Area

1. Little Juniata Natural Area

0

Alexandria, PA

Cancel

Open app

Search

Little Juniata Natural Area

5.0 (1 review)

Little Juniata Natural Area Photos

More like Little Juniata Natural Area

Recommended Reviews - Little Juniata Natural Area

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration
Photo of Mark W.
8
101
274

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Verify this business for free

People searched for Parks 204 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Opossum Lake - Evening paddling

Opossum Lake

5.0(4 reviews)
50.0 mi

One of my favorite parts about hiking is talking to other hikers! A few weeks ago, while wrapping…read moreup a different trail, another hiker asked where else I liked to hike. When I admitted I'd never been to Opossum Lake, she looked at me like I was missing out and told me I needed to check it out. Well...challenge accepted! When I got home, I looked it up and discovered it was only about 25 minutes from my house. Somehow, yet again, I had managed to overlook another great outdoor spot practically in my own backyard. A beautiful four-mile trail around a lake? Count me in! I headed out early on a mid-July Sunday morning, hoping to beat both the heat and the crowds. GPS brought me right to the parking area without any trouble, and even though there were already quite a few people there fishing, I had no problem finding a parking spot. The trail itself was fantastic! One of the things I appreciated most was how much the terrain changed throughout the loop. Parts of the trail were covered with crushed stone, others with pine needles, tanbark or natural dirt. It kept the hike interesting without ever becoming difficult. The entire four-mile loop is well-marked, easy to follow and beautifully shaded, making it an excellent summer hike even when temperatures start creeping up. The recent rain left a few muddy spots along the trail, but nothing that slowed me down. PRO TIP: If you're hiking after a rainstorm, use a little extra caution on the wooden footbridges. They can get a bit slick. The trail offered plenty to see along the way. I spotted birds, turtles and beautiful views across the lake and I found myself stopping more than once simply to enjoy the peaceful scenery. One unexpected highlight came when I crossed the spillway bridge. The interpretive signs explaining the history of the dam, the high-water markers and why the bridge was built so high above the creek added a neat educational element to the hike that I wasn't expecting. I always appreciate when a place teaches me something while I'm out exploring. Beyond hiking, it's easy to see why Opossum Lake has become such a popular recreation area. Throughout my visit I saw anglers casting from the shoreline, boats out enjoying the water and families making use of the many picnic areas scattered around the lake. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, paddle or simply enjoy a peaceful picnic, there's plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the scenery. I can already tell Opossum Lake is going to earn a permanent spot on my short list of local hikes. It's close to home. It's easy enough to enjoy without needing to mentally prepare for a mountain expedition. And it's beautiful enough that it never feels like "just another walk." Sometimes you want a huge adventure. Sometimes you just want to lace up your hiking boots, get a few peaceful miles under your belt and spend some time outside. Opossum Lake is absolutely perfect for those days!

'Possum Lake is a great place to go for a quick hike or paddle. My favorite thing is to hike…read morearound the lake in the evening then head out in the kayak. The distance around the lake is, I think, about 3 or 3 1/2 miles and there are some small hills, steps, and mostly dirt or pine-needle-covered terrain. In terms of kayaking, I can paddle around all areas in about an hour. It's a convenient, easy-to-get-to location and it's open until 10pm.

Photos
Opossum Lake
Opossum Lake
Opossum Lake

See all

Parker Dam State Park

Parker Dam State Park

5.0(11 reviews)
46.8 mi

It's a great place to take the family, there are things for all ages from just sitting on the sand…read morewhile soaking up the sun, to swimming to renting a paddleboard or canoe to walking around the dam. There are pavillions, playgrounds, a learing center with educational events (not during Covid-19), a small store to buy hot prepared food (hotdogs, french fries, etc...), cold drinks and other items. The beach area is finally smoke free for those of us who are allergic to cigarettes, it's a true relief. We can enjoy the day without worrying about our eyes swelling shut because the people next to use wont stop smoking and just throwing the butts on the sand. There are designated smoking areas for those who must smoke. Pets are welcome.

We stopped here on our drive home to look around and stretch our legs. This was really a lot better…read morethan we expected. First, the dam is really cool, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's post-Depression. The original was damaged in a storm but it has been rebuilt. Some of the old cabins and equipment still lingers around the park. We saw lots of people fishing and walking their dogs. (Not at the same time!) On our way in we had spied a beaver dam at the bottom of a power line cut through. We parked and hiked down the hill to try to see a beaver. No luck, beavers are very shy. On the way back up the hill I literally stumbled upon an American Woodcock mom sitting on a nest of chicks. She ran into the woods and we snapped a pic of her adorable brood of five baby woodcocks! (Some call them timberdoodles...) This was such a cool experience. Thanks, Parker Dam State Park in New York for some much needed nature time!

Photos
Parker Dam State Park
Parker Dam State Park
Parker Dam State Park - Outside the CCC.

See all

Outside the CCC.

Little Juniata Natural Area - parks - Updated July 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...