Worlds End is another fantastic state park in Pennsylvania! There are a lot of sights to see and…read morethings to do. Unfortunately, the weather interfered with our ability to see as much as we had hoped, but we still had a great time! There is a nice visitor center with a variety of historic and nature info available, including some great info on the CCC work that took place in the park (there's a really nice interactive model of a CCC camp too) and how and where the park name is suspected to have been derived from. There is a real snake to look at, as well. A very nice playground is located nearby, and this section of the park also offers easy access to the Loysalsock Creek and the beach with a snack bar, plus multiple picnic tables and shelterhouses. It's beautiful even just to look at the valley walls and the creek itself. There are several gorgeous vistas available, some by foot and some by foot or car. We especially liked the Loyalsock Canyon Vista, which can be reached on foot or by car. It is located next to the Rock Garden, which is a very neat grouping of giant rocks and boulders that is a lot of fun to check out. The park also offers camping and plenty of trails. Worlds End is located within the Loyalsock State Forest, so there is also a lot more that one could explore in the area.

Ricketts Glen used to be my favorite PA state park, but World's End has totally won me over. The…read moremost important reasons: 1) The hikes here are a little more challenging, a little longer, and just generally more enjoyable for me. 2) The family campground is spacious - the tent sites and modern electric sites are interspersed, but you don't feel like you're right on top of the next site over. 3) The bathroom facilities are clean and warm, no matter what time of year I've visited. Big ups to maintenance and the camp hosts. 4) The camp hosts and visitors center personnel are fantastically kind and helpful. They obviously love this park. 5) Fun stuff like the Forksville General Store, Snack stands, swimming hike, Haystacks, Rock Garden, and all kinds of other interesting places to explore! I've been here with friends, with my family, and by myself, and I've thoroughly enjoyed each trip, so I'll definitely be back for more!

We stopped by to do some fossil hunting - nice place. There are also trails, boating, fishing, etc…read more& a small educational/visitor center with displays, etc. Spent a few hours looking for fossils which was enjoyable. Hard to knock anything that has to do with nature - a 5 star experience for me!

As nature, hiking lovers, found this place in a general search, for recommended places near…read moreKnoebels. We only checked out two sections of the preserve, first the Fossil pit, and the vistor center. The vistor center had a few exhibits that were interesting, the main part of the review was the fossil pit. Called ahead, prior to our visit this past Sunday August 20, 2023...knew what to expact utilize sun screen if needed, bug spray and a hat. Even though se were there for a short time, was able to locate some fossils, and we both had a unique, fun experience, despite the heat. Look forward to coming back and checking out trails for future.

Beautiful scenic overlook off Route 15. Plenty of parking, telescopes (must add quarters) for…read morecloser looks, and fresh air high up on the mountain! Unfortunately no bathrooms or trash cans. Definitely worth a stop! Plenty of photo ops.

A beautiful scenic campground. We were in site 039 and were grateful there was nobody across from…read moreus when we arrived or when we left as it was very tight. It was very buggy when we arrived (late July) but the weather turned cooler and we had beautiful weather for our four night stay. There was no sewer or water hookup at our site but the bathhouse was close. We walked some of the trails and everything was beautiful. We brought kayaks but the water we paddled in by the dam was just ok. Lots of vegetation close to the surface, etc. We stayed to visit friends nearby. Dogs are welcome but they don't want you walking them by the no-pet sites, which is a little awkward.

There are a lot of activities available in Little Pine State Park! There is a lake, Little Pine,…read morelocated near the park office. It's a very nice area with picnic tables, a playground, and a beach available along the water, which can be used for swimming and boating. The dam above the lake provides a great place to get a good overlook of the area to enjoy. There are several trails that run through the park. Camping, including yurts and cottages, are also available. The staff in the park office were friendly and helpful.

This was my first time here and my son and I really enjoyed it. They rent kayaks, paddle boards,…read moreand pedal boats as well but we didn't try it this time. You can bring your food or purchase food there.

I visit Ricketts Glen about once a year! It's always a great experience and there's so much to do!…read moreGroup camping sites fit tons of people and feel very private. The only downside about Group site is that there are no showers in the bathhouse and there are no water pumps anywhere! In the park, there is a lake where you can swim, kayaks that you can rent, and the visitor center even has fishing poles that you can borrow! The Falls trail is what attracts most people to this great park. It's about a 4 mile hike to see all of them and every step is worth it! I've never seen or stayed in the cabins. I decided to check them out today before leaving. They are beautiful, have great views, and look like they fit six people. Will definitely keep this in mind for next time.

Oak Park Trail is a short walking / hiking trail recently added by Lower Paxton township. There's a…read moreheavily wooded loop, with minimal elevation gain. Trail runs along a creek and tends to be muddy during spring. 2-3 spots for parking off of a small gravel lane via Oak Park Road, off of Locust Lane, near Central Dauphin Middle School.

This is an old growth, mostly hemlock forest with a small stream running through it and trails…read moregreat for short hikes. It's dark, brooding and calm, even on a bright summer day. The forest primeval in all its glory. It scares the bejesus out of my wife but I love it.

This campground is now called Falling Waters. It's a nice place, quiet, and the owner, Dave is…read morereally accommodating. However, there is not much shade and the biggest downfall, I would say, is that the restaurant on site is closed, and there is no camp store. There is a beer distributor on the property, but that's it. It would be nice to have a camp store like most campgrounds, and having the restaurant open would be a huge plus since there really isn't anything nearby. The hike to the falls is nice, and they are very pretty. If you like being in the middle of basically nowhere, this is a great little find. We did enjoy our time there, but there are some things that would make it a whole lot better.

Gone to visit my Friend Dave at his campground Falling Waters Campground home of Buttermilk Falls…read more He new owner and working hard to make it better everyday. It's very quiet there and the people are phenomenal that stay there. He has big plans for this campground and it takes people like you reading this to come support him. Go and stay there and get some much-needed relaxation. It doesn't matter if you're bringing a Hamic Tent RV Couch or the largest 5th Wheel you can think of there's room for you there. We stayed in cabin 1 and it was nice. Remember to bring comfortable bedding. There's a Camp beverage that has adult slushy's and most adult drinks. The campground bathrooms are clean and Showers are nice. There's a downhill hiking trail down to the Falls that are very nice. And if you if you're into Sasquatch, you will love this place. Camp store is growing by the day. They are still looking for a person to run the camp restaurant. Added bonus is There's a genaral Store, a half a mile from the camp ground that's perfect. Will go back for sure

Living only about 30 minutes away, I had always assumed Boyd Big Tree Preserve was simply a tree…read moresapling area used by DCNR. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it's actually a 1,025-acre conservation and recreation area that straddles Blue Mountain and serves as habitat for large trees of many species and deep-forest birds, especially warblers. The preserve offers a peaceful, natural setting for passive recreation like birding, nature walks, and hiking, with an extensive 12-mile trail system ranging from easy to difficult. Every trail connects to at least one other, making it easy to customize a hike based on skill level. From wildflowers at your feet to the towering canopy created by the "big trees" that give the preserve its name, the scenery feels beautifully unaltered. While the trails are best used from March through October, the area is open year-round, including winter recreation and cross-country skiing. I visited on the first Saturday in January on an overcast but beautiful 32-degree day. With no recent rain, snow, or ice, it felt like the perfect opportunity to explore. Upon arrival, I found a paved parking lot with just a handful of cars. Parking was plentiful that day, though I imagine it could get tight during peak seasons since there's only one relatively small lot. PRO TIP: Grab a printed trail map before heading out. Cell service was spotty, and my online map wouldn't load once I arrived--but printed maps were readily available at the parking area. Boyd Big Tree Preserve features seven well-marked trails, clearly blazed and varying in difficulty. For easier hikes, the Lower Spring Trail (1.1-mile loop, lavender blazes) and Pond Loop Trail (1.2-mile loop, pink blazes) are great choices. Moderate options include the Coach Trail, Creek Trail, and Upper Spring Trail, while the most challenging hikes are the Janie Trail and East Loop Trail. After some advance research, I chose the 1.2-mile Pond Loop Trail, which offers opportunities to spot wildlife near a popular watering hole. The pink blazes didn't hurt either. The trail was an easy, leisurely one-hour walk with minor elevation changes along a small gravel path. Aside from one set of fast-approaching footsteps behind me (a runner who briefly made my heart skip a beat), the trail was completely empty--perfect for quiet reflection. I spent some time sitting on a bench near the fully frozen pond hoping to spot wildlife, but the only visitor was a lone squirrel. On my way out, I stopped at Stroh's Cemetery, located near the entrance to the preserve. This historic cemetery dates back to 1819 and was originally a family graveyard before becoming a community burial ground. Though many headstones are missing, more than 130 graves remain. Recent DCNR restoration efforts are clearly visible, with cleaned and repaired gravestones and thoughtful landscaping that respectfully honors those buried there. Overall, I'd absolutely recommend Boyd Big Tree Preserve for a peaceful walk in the woods. Is this the place for extreme hiking? Probably not. But if you're looking for a quiet, scenic spot to stretch your legs, enjoy nature, and unplug for a bit--this is a solid choice close to home.

Crafted on the north side of a mountain and optimized for taking walks in the woods, Boyd Big Tree…read morePreserve Conservation Area has some nicely varied terrain and the trails are well marked. Tip: If you make it to the top, you'll be rewarded by an impressive view of the Susquehanna valley :-) While dogs are allowed in Boyd, the wilderness is largely unspoiled by facilities. About the only thing that's been built here is a bathroom at the trail head. Note that you'll need to bring water when you come, and it's wise to wear something blaze orange if you're there in season.

I love discovering hidden gems, and the Ned Smith Center for Nature & Art is officially one of…read morethose "how have I lived here this long and not known about this?" places. I first learned about it through a Facebook post advertising a free, guided January Winter Hike on a Saturday morning. The forecast called for rain, so naturally I hesitated... and by the time I committed, registration was closed. Classic. Not one to go down without at least trying, I reached out and learned they cap guided hikes at 15 people, which honestly I respect. I was bummed--but then pleasantly surprised when they offered to add me to a waitlist. Cue me quietly rooting for the rain to scare a few people off (no shame). A few days later, I got the email: spots opened up and I was in. Victory. Also, bonus points for genuinely great customer service. I arrived about 20 minutes early for the 10am hike because that's who I am, and spent some time wandering around. Parking was plentiful and easy in their paved lot. The location itself is beautiful--peaceful and tucked away, yet not "did I miss a turn and end up on someone's private driveway?" remote. The wrap-around porch on the gift shop/gallery and the huge outdoor amphitheater were unexpected and delightful. I'm already plotting a return with a lawn chair once winter loosens its icy grip. Right at 10am, our guide Emily gathered the group and laid out the plan: get in about a mile before the rain arrived. We stopped at the visitor kiosk to review trail info and then headed out to explore. We walked portions of the Fisherman's Trail, Rail Trail, and Hemlock Trail, all of which were lovely--even under gray, overcast skies that screamed "January in PA." The property is beautifully maintained, and it's very clear the Ned Smith Center puts a lot of care into creating a welcoming space. This was actually my first-ever guided hike, and I loved it. Emily was fantastic, and the damp, wintry weather gave the hike a calm, peaceful vibe--very "quiet reflection," very "main character walking through a nature montage." We ended up hiking closer to 2 miles, and somehow the rain held off until just after we finished. Nature said, "I got you today." All in all, my first visit to the Ned Smith Center was a total win. I'll absolutely be back to explore more trails and catch a performance once Central PA remembers how seasons other than winter work. If you enjoy nature, art, well-run programs, and discovering places you can't believe you've been missing, this one's worth checking out!

An incredible art and performance venue tucked away in a beautiful setting. This was my first…read morevisit but I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing art, the delightful gift shop, the incredible indoor beehive, and the access to miles of lovely trails. Tip: we were harassed by comical numbers of tiny flying insects -- they were going in our ears and up our noses and we needed wipers on our spectacles -- despite drenching ourselves in bug spray. Enjoy the trails in cooler months or bring bug netting for your head!