Want to learn about raptors and see them in person? Located along the Appalachian flyway, Hawk…read moreMountain straddles the Kittatinny Ridge, or Blue Mountain, a 300-mile-long, prominent ridge extending from 60 miles north of New York City to 20 miles west of Chambersburg, PA. It is here where every autumn, more than 20,000 birds of prey pass over, making their way from northern states and Canada to warmer climates. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the oldest and largest wild bird sanctuary in nearby Kempton, PA, where trails and lookouts offered beautiful scenery and access to nature where my partner, his family and I came today. From the Visitors Center, which had some interesting exhibits and a gift shop where the admission fee was collected at $10 per person, the Lookout Trail was the easiest and most popular, covering a one-mile route to several lookout points along the ridge. Friendly staff members were positioned here to answer questions and point out birds. The trails were very well marked, and the trail map explained each so that one knows what you're getting into. We walked to North Lookout. It was the pinnacle of Hawk Mountain perching on top of the mountain at an elevation of 1,500 feet and offering a 200-degree view that stretches 70 miles on a clear day. This was a perfect place to work on photography and binocular skills, as well as a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts that we can recommend.

One of the best day trips my son's Boy Scout group (29 in Bucks County) made was to Hawk Mountain,…read morenorthwest of Allentown, south of Tamaqua and southeast of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, part of Blue Mountain Ridge. In mid October it was ablaze in autumn colors, even on a drizzling day. We were able to see the migration of Red Tailed Hawks, Peregrine Falcons and even a few Bald Eagles. The view from the North Lookout was spectacular, and the mile long hike along the ridge line was not overly strenuous with strong walking shoes. Our guys were working on several merit badges that required effort, study and attention. The natural beauty of the terrain and majesty of these amazing raptors, made it easy to want to explore as much as possible and bond closely with the wildlife. The staff were excellent teachers and guides. Even with all the extra information available on site, this dad found the most joy just walking out to the promontory overlooking the valley below, quieting my inner dialogue and simply allowing myself to drift as I communed with the Universe. Highly recommend Hawk Mountain for that day you need to get away and would enjoy a road trip either solo or with those you love. This is the oldest wildlife sanctuary in the world dedicated exclusively to the protection and observation of birds of prey. The 1,400 acres maintained by the non-profit Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association is designated a U. S. National Landmark. If you have a weekend, there are several excellent inns and lodges to place your head after a long hike and good meal. Admission: $10 Adults. $5 Kids

I was in the area with some friends near Lake Harmony. We decided to hike the hawk Falls Trail,…read morewhich was only a few miles. The terrain was relatively mild and the trail was well marked. It ended at a pretty nice but not gigantic waterfall. We came earlier in the morning and it was less crowded than as we were hiking out. Really nice park with lots of trail options !

Who doesn't love Pennsylvania, and its beautiful state parks, waterfalls and nature itself…read more Visiting in town, and discovered this park, and Hawk Falls. The hike was moderate, highly recommend hiking boots, as its down hill short trial, but well worth the view of the 25 foot water fall. Perfect early week activity, and best of all was free to visit, not like the state parks in NY.

Upper Bucks secret is out. Part of the Noximixon State Park. Nice elevated hiking trail with a real…read moreamazing formation at the top. You will need to hike yourself to reap the rewards. 20 -30 minute hike to the formation. Must See!

While scrolling social media, I saw someone casually mention Sweet Arrow Lake as a place to find a…read morewaterfall in Central PA. A waterfall? Within 45 minutes of my house? Excuse me?! That was all I needed. Immediately added to the Sunday adventure list. I planned my visit for a mid-March Sunday, right after a hearty pre-St. Patrick's Day brunch (and cocktail), because if I was going to go chasing waterfalls, I might as well do it properly fueled and slightly festive. Getting there was super easy with Google Maps, and parking was plentiful all around the lake. Since it was my first visit, I parked near the clubhouse and set out to explore. Bathrooms were locked for the season, but there were portajohns available...which I respectfully chose to ignore and simply hoped for the best. It was about 50°, cloudy, and windy, but that didn't stop people from being out and about. There were families, walkers, and a surprisingly intense group of disc golfers launching discs through the air like they had something to prove. I heard multiple rounds of "HEAD'S UP!" and just accepted that at any moment I could become part of the game. Even with the number of people there, it never felt crowded. The park is big enough that you can easily find your own little peaceful corner and pretend you're out in nature alone...minus the occasional flying disc. This is definitely more of a walk than a hike, which honestly matched my post-brunch energy level perfectly. The paths are a mix of paved trails and well-worn walking routes, with plenty of options to wander depending on how far you feel like going. The lake itself was gorgeous in that moody, dramatic way that makes you feel like you're in a very calm, slightly emotional movie scene. There was someone fishing from a kayak, a few people along the shoreline, and just enough quiet to make it feel relaxing despite the wind. I came for the waterfall, though. And I heard it before I saw it. "I can hear water!" I announced (again, to no one in particular) as I followed the Waterfall Trail like I was on some sort of mission. And when I finally got there...totally worth it. The waterfall was beautiful. It might be partially man-made, but honestly, I do not care. It's water. It's falling. It's peaceful. It's a win! As I walked around, I kept thinking how perfect this place would be for a picnic once the weather warms up. There are so many great spots to throw down a blanket, snack, and pretend you're the kind of person who has their life together enough to plan outdoor picnics. Sweet Arrow Lake is easy to get to, easy to park, easy to walk, and very family-friendly. There's nothing wildly over-the-top here beyond the waterfall, but that's kind of the point. It's a solid, peaceful place to get outside, get some steps in, and enjoy a view that you don't come across every day in Central PA. And honestly? For a spontaneous "there's a waterfall 45 minutes away" adventure...I'd say that's a pretty great return on investment!

A wonderful place to go walking hiking trails are for beginners the small damn was cool must come…read moreearly parking are limited so get your parking spot early boat rental fun for the little one

One of my favorite places ever Our family has enjoyed camping here many years. There is a medium…read moresized lake with a beach area and plenty of room outside of that to fish and boat. The sites have a nice amount of trees in them and privacy between spots. We prefer the beach loop which is all tent camping. It usually is cold enough in the summer to need hoodies at night. There are a ton of chipmunks and squirrels. Make sure your food is secured well as they will find it and have chewed through our plastic totes to get to it. This morning we found that they got our chocolate bars, took them up into a tree and were dropping them half eaten onto the ground. Wildlife is nothing to mess with, they will cut you.

The lake and property are quite beautiful but the inhumane restrooms/showers are unacceptable.read more

Let me tell you something. During this time of Covidiousness, we've certainly done our fair share…read moreof outdoorsy types of things. While coming to a state park like this in York County may not seem like an obvious choice, it's actually been the perfect place. I'm not going to go in to any history or backstory (I covered that in my initial musings several years ago) but what sets this park apart from most PA state parks is its size. While the park is only 85 acres (PA has 121 state parks and some of them clock in at north of 15K acres just for a sense of scope) it's layout allows for things to feel more spread out than you would assume. The main road that wraps around the park is great for walking but there are also two miles of trails which if done in a clockwise direction are actually somewhat challenging with how it'll be mostly uphill. There is also a disc gold course, a rock formation that kids will love to climb on, a few small swing sets placed at different spots and a large open field at the top of hill with one hell of a view towards the Susquehanna River, Wrightsville and Columbia. The best part about this place is that it's rural enough so that it's never too busy. We've made trips to some state parks closer to us (Jacobsburg-Nockamixon-Lehigh Gorge) recently and they have been consistently packed. Here, not so much. The drive here is easy. There is an amazing view. There is usually more than enough space for everyone to spread out and do whatever they want. Sounds perfect to me and we'll be back this weekend.

Samuel S. Lewis State Park does not offer you a bunch of amenities. There's no amazing new…read moreplayground for the kiddies (although there are some swings and such throughout). There's very few short trails around the park (but enough to satisfy my dogs and if you go the "right" way, you get quite a workout hiking uphill). However, what you DO get is gorgeous views of the river and landscape from atop Mt. Pisgah. You also get open space to roam and run around. And my son's favorite part are the rocks! He loves to climb and explore. It's almost possible for me to give any park less than five stars--especially one with such a beautiful view. You won't regret the trip to visit this park. I'm just lucky that it's only 15 minutes from home. P.S. Go read Christopher C.'s review--it's very thorough and well-written.

This is a large park with well-marked trails, restrooms, signage on what birds you may see, and of…read morecourse, great mountain views. It's right past the Camelback resort, so if it isn't crowded there, traffic should be a breeze getting to the park. The Indian Trail was a bit rocky and a little steep at parts, but the blazes are easy to follow, and the trail was doable for beginners. Make sure you wear good, sturdy shoes. There was plenty of parking and some picnic tables nearby.

This is our favorite mountain park at the Poconos. We walked all the trails and they are beautiful,…read morepresenting many types of nature and vegetation. Note near the parking lot 3 there's a trailhead with a quest book, it's sweet to leave some memories there. The trails are well marked but some are quite steep, be aware of the elevation changes. There's beautiful lookouts and the view from the top is pristine. Many places to just sit, enjoy and meditate. Only sometimes there's mindless people blasting loud music, but luckily most times you can enjoy the nature in silence at the mountain top. Tip: download a map from the park website before hitting the trails, it will help you greatly to locate yourself while hiking.

Love this trail, so peaceful and a great walk whether it is during the summer or winter. Just make…read moresure to bundle up! I like walking my dog here and he surely loves it.

The natural jewel of Allentown! So appreciating the work of the wildland conservatory restoring the…read moreriparian zones. Eliminating the erosion and encouraging more wildlife . The reduction of mowing and over grooming has created a more natural space that is a joy to behold! Many people complain that they want it back to where it was -over groomed and mowed -however, we know better these days and people need to be immersed in nature in its true form and wildlife needs a safe place to thrive Only complaint is the litter left behind. Particularly by the fisherman. Empty hook bags, Styrofoam, worm, cups, and long dangerous strands of fishing line endangering wildlife. The labor hours saved from the former excess mowing & maintenance can be used to provide extra trash cans and have them emptied regularly

Tuscarora State Park has all the classic elements which make the PA state park system arguably the…read morebest in the United States. * Over 250 picnic tables and two pavilions which can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. (Although for the sake of full disclosure, a fair number of the picnic tables not in or around the pavilion areas are buried in the trees/bushes and are in various stages of disrepair.) * A sand beach and lake swimming available from May-September. * A boat launch and seasonal boat rentals for fishing on Tuscarora Lake. * 1,100 of the park's 1,600 acres are open for deer, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, grouse and dove hunting. * Six camping cottages and four yurts which can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. * About eight miles of hiking trails of which most are pancake flat but parts of the Spirit of Tuscarora Trail and Locust Mountain Trail can get steep but the diversity of the terrain, trees, flowers and water here is amazing. The Sunday that we visited found the beach and picnic areas to be very busy as well as the boat rentals but in the four hours we were on various hiking trails we only saw two other people so my take is that like at most PA state parks the hiking end of things is more or less ignored. As a brief bit of FYI trivia, the park got it's name as a tribute to the Tuscarora Indians who by legend supposedly inhabited the Locust Valley area including the land that the park is on for a brief time during the 18th century. Most of trees in and around the park are not original to the area as the area was almost fully deforested during the early 20th century by logging operations. The dam which created Tuscarora Lake was built in the 1960's and the park opened in 1971. While not my favorite state park, Tuscarora provided a great visit and hopefully we'll be back for a visit or two in the not too distant future.

Yurt camping to remember, Tuscarora State Park, Pa.,…read more Reservations were made in late February, 2014, for $114 for the 2 day weekend. Our camping dates were for May 30th and 31st, and this was the last day of spring that they allowed the weekend only bookings. Check their website for booking Yurts, and Cabins during the summer, or off season. We had Yurt #1, and it appears that we picked the right one for us. It has good tree shade much of the day, with the sun on the yurt for about 3.5 hours. The yurts sleep 5, a very nice kitchen with a 4 burner stove, a 5' refrigerator, but no water or sink. A sturdy table with 4 great chairs, a skylight that opens 6 inches, a fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, 2 windows and a solid lockable front door. Also cleaning gear in case it gets dirty, and a hardwood floor. To beat the heat, bring along a 10' by 10' canopy/gazebo (light tan, silver or white color) to give you an outdoor shelter, away from the heat. In talking to barb, she agreed that maybe 2 - 10' x 10' shelters would be best. Keep in mind that the Yurt is about 20 feet across, and that the deck is about 34' x 34'. Bring along a box fan that can be tilted, and has 3 speeds. With everyone under the shelter, it will help you cool off. Look for our attached photos. #1 Yurt - sun from about 11 a.m. to about 3 p.m. Trees on 3 sides, with yurt #2 up on the right side. #2 Yurt - mostly sun all day, and it get a bit hot. Trees on back side, and other yurts down to the left and up to the right. #3 Yurt - some shade during the day, morning to the early afternoon. Trees to the rear, and a yurt to the left and to the right. #4 Yurt - gets mostly all day shade. There is a water pumping station nearby, that makes a slight humming noise. Basically a forest on 3 sides, and a Yurt to the left. For us, the hum would not be a problem. We would take along a tilting box fan for inside the yurt at night, or outside as we sit in our chairs. (a smaller wall fan is already mounted in the Yurts.) For all of our camping trips, one of these fans are essential for better sleep, cooling hot afternoons, filtering out evening noise, or let the kids use it as a super bubble machine. Just have them hold the wand in front of the outgoing fan air, and watch their eyes get big. For all 4 yurts, the bathrooms are just 30 to 50 feet away. The outside bathroom doors are very quiet. There are no changing bench in the showers. In the bathroom, it is hard to press the wall button, to flush the toilets. I can barely do it, my wife can't do it, and neither can kids. As for getting potable water? On the outside of the bathroom you will find a double wash station, for cleaning your dishes. That cold water faucet provided us with some of the finest, purest, clear cold water that we've ever seen. Walking past Yurt #4, you can make a right turn, and follow the wide dirt path that takes you to the swimming area, the concession stand, and boat rentals for the lake. Along that dirt road, you will see smaller paths leading down to the lake's edge. Over several years, I caught and released many fish in those early morning hours. As for the Yurts, you are allowed to drive up to its entrance location, drop off the items and people that you brought, and turn around and park your vehicle in the first parking lot that you come to. Note - at the end of that first parking lot is a large children's playground. As for Latino families? Living in Allentown, PA, we have put up with some of the worst that they have to offer. They were the reason we left center city, and moved to the outskirts. But, I must say this........there was a group of Latino's staying in Yurts 2 and 3 for Friday night. 7 kids total, and 5 adults, and they were the most respectful group that we have ever encountered. Music was played softly, no yelling back and forth, nothing destructive, no car alarms, and the children behaved like children. The only issue we had was on Friday evening, and that was because the smells from their grilled ribs, chicken, burgers and hot dogs were driving us crazy. And because of this, we gave that family group a 5 star rating. Store and Food places in town and nearby. Walmart, the Beacon Restaurant, Rita's, and McDonalds are all near the same location just north of Tamaqua, on Rt. 309. I was also told that in Tamaqua, PA, near the 5 points intersection, is a really good Italian restaurant. Read the rules about going out at night, and coming back late. The gates are closed at night, and you might have to park a little further away. Also, a golf course is less than a half mile away. And for the final tip? If you are interested in a cabin? Numbers 1, 2, and 3, (which are just on the other side of the bathrooms) have their front porches facing the lake. Take the time to go to Tuscarora State Park, and look at the locations of the Yurts/Cabins that meets your needs. We hope that we have been of some help. Cosmo