Pennsylvania State Parks

There's still plenty of things to do at our state parks during the winter months

At Point State Park, the confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers has been an important landmark long before modern times. The Trail of Geology Guide explains how glaciers effected the rivers’ flow and formed much of the landscape seen around Pittsburgh today. Learn more https://bit.ly/35VKHRQ #TrailTuesday #PAGeology #GeoHeritage #PAStateParks

See how DCNR rangers make Pennsylvania a better place to work, live, and play! Join the DCNR team -- apply today for a ranger position! Anyone that wants to apply for a DCNR Ranger Trainee must first take the Trainee Exam. Receive a score and then apply to vacant positions on the Employment Website. Apply for the exam here https://bit.ly/3oM1oq9

Meet the new park manager for Beltzville State Park - PA DCNR http://bit.ly/3s31RGp

While this past year was challenging, DCNR staff continued to provide services, improve infrastructure, and conserve natural places. Check out this special message from Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn to learn more about our notable accomplishments from 2020.

Nestled in a scenic valley on the Delaware border, White Clay Creek Preserve includes some of the oldest rocks in Pennsylvania at about 600 million years. Follow trails to see different rock types and formations, and learn from the Trail of Geology Guide about the ancient sea and geologic forces that created them. Learn more https://bit.ly/38zhWw3 #TrailTuesday #PAGeology #PAStateParks

With no streetlights or strip malls sending light pollution to the heavens, the stars and planets stand out here like few places in the eastern United States #ProtectTheNight #NightSky

Moraine State Park was the site of an ancient glacial lake, and holds thousands of years of geologic history below the surface. This stop along the Trail of Geology unlocks answers about glaciers that formed many of the features of the park and surrounding areas. Learn more http://bit.ly/392UZQS #TrailTuesday #PAGeology #PAStateParks

Meet the new state park manager Pine Grove Furnace State Park https://bit.ly/33PwWTO #PAProud

Pennsylvania state parks wish that whatever is beautiful, meaningful, or brings you happiness, be yours this holiday season and new year.

In response to the continuing rise of COVID-19 cases across the state, DCNR has canceled all in-person events and programs organized by its staff and volunteers in all state parks, beginning Sunday, December 6. Learn more https://bit.ly/37CpdcD

Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and staff, 47 state parks monitored 1,949 boxes and fledged a total of 6,470 birds, including eastern bluebirds, purple martins, American kestrels, wood ducks, and several other species in 2020.

The Little Buffalo Creek Trail was recently improved by a PA Outdoor Corps crew to help keep hikers out of muddy spots and protect the natural resources along the trail. This trail at Little Buffalo State Park offers good opportunities for viewing wildlife and cross-country skiing in the winter. Learn more http://bit.ly/38ltOQI #PAOutdoorCorps #TrailTuesday

With proper safety precautions, recreating in winter can be good for your health. Don’t let colder temps stop you from spending a little time outdoors.

Start the new year off right with a hike! Pennsylvania state parks and forests are open for fresh air and close-to-home, healthy exercise. Keep these tips in mind to stay safe and comfortable on the trails #PAWinter #FirstDayHikes

Welcome winter! You're right on time! #FirstDayofWinter

The 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail at Gifford Pinchot State Park offers a route around the heart of the park. The temporary drawdown of Pinchot Lake currently provides a rare view of the underlying geology of the area -- exposing large, diabase boulders. Learn more https://bit.ly/39tRS6p #TrailTuesday #PAGeology #ExplorePATrails

Meet the new state park manager for the Shikellamy State Park complex https://bit.ly/2JkxA4o #PAProud

Monitor snow and ice conditions within Pennsylvania state parks before you head out with the state parks winter report. Report is updated weekly (at a minimum) by state parks during the winter season http://bit.ly/2sv5k6Z

Although much of the northern half of the commonwealth is fading or past peak, vivid fall color has arrived for our southern state parks. Learn more in DCNR's week 5 #PAFallFoliage report http://bit.ly/2OCvs8C #FallinPA

Warmest and brightest wishes and thanks for our staff and visitors.

Did you know that tree-killing invasive insects and diseases can lurk both inside and on the surface of firewood? While these insects and diseases don’t travel far on their own, transporting firewood allows them to move hundreds of miles and start infestations in new places! If you are going to enjoy a campfire at a state park during these colder months, be sure to follow these tips. #FirewoodMonth #iConservePA

Meet the new park manager of Washington Crossing Historic Park https://bit.ly/3gOGoLi #PAProud

Raccoon Creek State Park October, 2020

Bucktail State Park Natural Area provides a beautiful 75-mile route along PA 120 from Emporium, through Renovo, to Lock Haven. This scenic drive is an essential fall foliage trip in The PA Wilds. It stretches through a narrow valley known as the Bucktail Trail, named after the famous American Civil War regiment of Woodsmen, the Bucktails or Bucktail Rangers. Learn more https://bit.ly/3m6fYHq #PAFallFoliage

We’re proud of our new visitor center at Hickory Run State Park which serves as a main contact point for visitors, providing new exhibits, comfort facilities, campground registration and administrative services, and environmental education. Learn more https://bit.ly/3dIcqYT #PAProud

DCNR will be releasing water from Lake Nockamixon into Tohickon Creek in Bucks County on Saturday and Sunday, November 7-8. The releases provide Class 3 and 4 whitewater boating conditions downstream through Ralph Stover State Park from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. each day. Learn more https://bit.ly/2FGiULa

The bluffs at Erie Bluffs State Park are a product of the glacier which occupied the Lake Erie basin as the last ice was melting back from Pennsylvania between 12,000 and 13,000 years ago. The 90-foot high bluffs are continually eroded by the modern lake and are among the most dynamic landscapes in Pennsylvania. Elk Creek has cut down through the sedimentary layers to the shale bedrock to meet the current lake level. Learn more https://bit.ly/3nUuovT #EarthScienceWeek #PAStateParks #PAGeology

Big Pocono State Park is located on the on the summit and slopes of Camelback Mountain and features scenic views of three states. Consisting of rocks more than 360 million years old, it is the highest location in the area and is located on the edge of the Glaciated Pocono Plateau. On a clear day, the Catskill Mountains of New York can be seen. Learn more https://bit.ly/343cjUG #PAGeology #EarthScienceWeek

Spectacular autumn color persists throughout the commonwealth this coming week! Learn more in the week 4 #PAFallFoliage report http://bit.ly/2OCvs8C #FallinPA

Learn about wildfires in Pennsylvania during a free Lunch and Learn hosted by the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation tomorrow at noon! Watch LIVE on their Facebook page.

The overlooks at Susquehannock State Park provide a view of geologically young processes that formed the Susquehanna Gorge in some of the state’s oldest rocks. As glaciers melted, they sent massive amounts of water and eroded sediment downstream enlarging rivers and carving into the bedrock. The Hawk Point Overlook offers a view to the south of the top end of the Conowingo Reservoir. The view at Wisslers Run Overlook is a natural, rocky riverbed in the stretch of river below Holtwood Dam. Learn more https://bit.ly/3iYOVvN #PAGeology #EarthScienceWeek

The ice mine at Trough Creek State Park serves as an air duct, releasing cold air trapped in the rock mass above during winter. Although not a real mine, visitors can descend to brave the cold and try to find ice in spring and summer. Learn more https://bit.ly/36Msmrp #PAGeology #EarthScienceWeek