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    Appalachian Trail Bridge

    5.0 (3 reviews)

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    5 years ago

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    Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area

    Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area

    4.2(18 reviews)
    13.8 mi

    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.

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    Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area
    Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area
    Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area

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    Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art

    Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art

    4.7(7 reviews)
    5.6 mi

    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!

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    Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
    Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
    Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art

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    Appalachian Trail Bridge - hiking - Updated May 2026

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