10 Best places to hike near State College
The warmer weather is finally here! What better way to celebrate than exploring the great old outdoors? Whether you want to go by yourself or with a group of friends, here is a list of the best places to go hiking near State College.
1. Mt. Nittany
Drive time from campus: 15 mins
Known for having the best overlook of Happy Valley, this ones a must. The hike is relatively easy and the view is absolutely priceless. This hike is great to do with a big group of friends, especially during sunset.
Difficulty: Easy
2. Jackson Trail
Drive time from campus: 15 mins
If you’re a beginner, this hike is for you! Experts rate this hike a 3 out of 10 in difficulty. This short hike is well-known for its beautiful sunsets and is located only a few minutes away from downtown State College.
Make sure to check out David’s Vista!
Difficulty: Easy
3. Shingletown Gap
Drive time from campus: 15 mins
Do you love hiking, biking, walking your dog or all of the above? If so, this hike is meant for you. It is located only a few miles from downtown, near route PA45 in Rothrock State Forest. This hiking area can also connect you to Mid-State Trail.
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
4. Black Moshannon State Park
Drive time from campus: 30 mins
Located about 35 minutes away from State College, this State Park is known for its beautiful scenery, especially to nature lovers. Activities you can do with your friends include: horseback riding, boating, swimming, hiking, ice fishing and many more.
Difficulty: Easy to Hard
5. Pine Creek George
“The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania”
Drive time from campus: Just under 1 hour
About an hour away from State College, Pine Creek Gorge is known as the Grand Canyon of PA. You are surrounded by beautiful views of nature and wildlife. Bloggers recommend making a stop by Wellsboro, where you can see lit up streets and Victorian mansions from the 1800s.
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
6. Golden Eagle Trail
“Best Day Hike in Pennsylvania”
Drive time from campus: 1 hour 20 mins
Although overnight camping is not allowed, visitors can enjoy a view overlooking Pine Creek Gorge from here. The difficulty level of this hike is an 8 out of 10, so if you are looking for a challenge, this is it!
Beware of rattlesnakes!
Difficulty: Hard
7. Hyner View State Park
Drive time from campus: 1 hour 20 mins
Although this park does not actually have hiking trails, its breathtaking view and access to hang gliders, helps it make the list. While pretending to hike, you can go hang gliding across the scenic vista which overlooks the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
Difficulty: Pretending
8. Ricketts Glen State Park
Drive time from campus: just under 2 hours
If there is only one place on this list that you go to, make sure its Ricketts Glen! This park is widely recognized for having 22 wild free-flowing cascading waterfalls and its beautiful scenery on a spring day is priceless. You can also, hunt, fish and swim nearby.
Difficulty: Medium
9. The Pinnacle Trail
Drive time from campus: 2 hours
Located near Hamburg, PA, The Pinnacles’ highlights include gorgeous wild flowers and access to many recreational acitivities.
Difficulty: Medium
10. Mt. Tammany — Delaware Water Gap
Drive time from campus: 2.5 hours
This hike is the furthest of the bunch, but also has one of the best views. This spot is quite popular, and is often crowded during hot summer days.
Difficulty: Hard
Bonus: Need people to go hiking with?
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We would love your feedback in helping shape our product. For early access to First Pick, click here.
