4 state parks to visit this season in the I-80 Frontier

With vacation season on the horizon we wanted to highlight some of the State Parks you can visit in the I-80 Frontier of the PA Wilds.

Parker Dam State Park is a 968-acre park near Penfield in the Moshannon State Forest, and is completely wooded. This park has 16 miles of trails, including ones that pass through tornado ravaged parts of the park, as well as ones that go through the beautiful hardwood forest. If you are into mountain biking, this park has 3 trails that can be biked on including Beaver Dam Trail, Skunk Trail, and Fairview road. For a quick dip to get a break for the summer heat, this State Park also has a beach area, with water depths reaching 5 feet, for the perfect spot to cool off and get in a quick swim. Parker Lake is the place to be if you enjoy fishing, it is 20 acres and is stocked with brook trout during the spring, fall, and winter months. Hunting is also allowed at this park, and during the seasons, over 807 acres of the land can be used to hunt, trap, and even be used for dog training. If you’ve found yourself needing a place to rest for the night, this park also has various lodging options, and you’re sure to find one to suit you. They even offer cabins with running water, in case you don’t feel like roughing it for the night.

In the heart of the Moshannon State Forest is the completely wooded 318 acre Simon B. Elliott State Park. The park itself offers 3 miles of hiking trials, but at this park you can access the Quehanna Trail, which has over 75 miles of trails. This is also a great park to camp at, as it has 25 sites available, as well as 6 cabins. Prepare in advance though, as this park does not have showers. Small mountain streams are available to fish at this State Park, and over 234 acres are available for hunting on, please abide by the rules DCNR has in place. A fun attribute of this park is that it has several picnicking areas, which makes this the perfect spot to bring some good eats, great company, and enjoy a meal outdoors. Pavilions are also available to rent if you’re bringing a larger party. This park has a little bit of everything for you to enjoy.

Covering 3,394 acres of forest and wetlands, is Black Moshannon State Park. A true dream for anyone who loves the outdoors. This park has a lot to offer, where should we begin? This park has 73 campsites, with each having a picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern holder. This campground also has flushing toilets, running water and coin operated laundry facilities. There is a 250 acre lake that is perfect for all water activities, including boating, although gas powered motors are prohibited. Boat rentals are available, perfect for a day boating experience. Fishing is also very popular at this lake, especially ice fishing in the winter. A swimming beach is also available at this park, making it a popular destination during those hot summer days. More than 43,000 acres of the Moshannon State Forest surround this park, creating a unique atmosphere different from other parks in the area. 

Bald Eagle State Park is the last park on our list and is 5,900 acres! That’s impressive for a State Park, and this one features abundant wildlife and bird watching, camping, fishing, swimming and the LEED Gold certified Nature Inn. One of the very best eco-friendly resorts. This State Park is really known for spotting, yep, you guessed it, bald eagles. This is also the place to go for bird watching as there are so many species of birds that call this park home due to the park's diverse habitat. 1,730-acre Sayers Reservoir is home to many species of water foul, which makes it a popular spot not only for fishing, but also for avid birdwatchers. While we are on the subject of birds, let’s talk about the LEED Gold certified nature that can be found at this park. Guests can visit the eBird Trail Tracker kiosk at the Nature Inn for more information and can use these kiosks as electronic gateways to bird sightings at Bald Eagle State Park. Visitors can view which birds are being reported at the park and where, record their own observations, and view photos, audio, video, and life histories of these birds. Park observation records become part of eBird, an online checklist program that scientists, birders, and anyone with Internet access can use to review bird observation information from specific locations across North America. This park is truly a bird lover's paradise. This park has so much more to offer as well, if you’re into hiking, this park is thriving with hiking trails, over 14.5 miles of trails can be found in this state park. This park also has campgrounds, not one, but two, with a total of 197 sites, ranging from tent sites, to deluxe cottages. There is a camping experience to suit everyone in your group. With so many activities to enjoy, check out this well rounded park for all of your outdoor recreation needs.

If you don’t already have a PA Parks and Forests Passport, you’re going to want to pick up one here at the PA Wilds Marketplace and as you travel, collect stamps from these parks. Can you collect all 124 stamps from all the state parks?

While these are just four great state parks to visit, there are some other state parks that are nearby the interstate at the eastern and western ends of the PA Wilds. 

The Pennsylvania Wilds encompasses over 2 million acres of public lands, which are protected and set aside for citizens and visitors to enjoy. The region boasts 29 state parks, eight state forests, and is home to the Commonwealth’s only national forest: the Allegheny National Forest.