Pennsylvania is not known as an adventurer's paradise. Just check our state quarter for proof. Colorado's quarter shows a rugged mountain range scattered with evergreens. And California, who is unanimously accepted as the "cool state," has John Muir (author and environmentalist) and a hawk gazing out at Yosemite Valley. Pennsylvania, good ole Pennsylvania, has a quarter design of an outline of PA and the keystone symbol. Despite our monetary mundaneness, Pennsylvania, specifically central Pennsylvania, has some beautiful natural gems to satisfy everyone's inner explorer. Take a look at these eight adventures in central PA and the surrounding area. Happy adventuring!
1. Hike Ricketts Glenn State Park.
Ok. You caught me. This isn't in central Pennsylvania. But it is in PA, just a little north. It's roughly two hours from Harrisburg, but I promise it is worth every minute of that drive. Ricketts Glenn is just beautiful. Its 26 miles of trails span over 13,050 acres in Luzerne, Sullivan and Columbia counties. There are so many reasons to love this area, but waterfalls top the list. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in a moment of poetic splendor, described the water features as "a series of wild, free-flowing waterfalls, each cascading through rock-strewn clefts in this ancient hillside." Not bad, huh? One of the falls, Ganoga Falls, is a long legged beauty, standing 94 feet high without her heels.
2. Bike Covered Bridges of Lancaster Co.
If you're feeling the need for speed, grab your two-wheeled noble steed and head over to Lancaster county. It is the land of picturesque covered bridges, 25 to be exact. Biking these paths is a welcomed break from the monotny of a gym. Visit Discover Lancaster's site for their compilation of covered bridge tours. Think Tour de Bridge. If you're feeling like going for the whole kit and caboodle, consider one of Intercourse Bike Works' tours. Their Amish Dinner Tour is a beautiful 8 mile ride that meanders along farmland, passing mills, covered bridges and mansions along the way. After the 8 miles, riders dine with an Amish family.
3. Hiking, rock climbing or biking at Governor Dick.
If you're like me, your adventure at Governor Dick consists of a quick mile hike up to the observation tower, then skipping over to the Jigger shop for a glorious, calorically impressive, ice cream masterpiece. But Governor Dick has so much more to offer the inner adrenaline junkie of a Pennsylvanian. Located near Mt. Gretna, the park spans over 1,100 acres of natural wonderfulness. Hikers can rejoice in 14+ miles of hiking trails. These hiking trails are not just for the hikers though. Many of the trails also allow mountain bikes for those who are tired of sidewalks. Climbers can enjoy bouldering in the park, and the Mountain Project describes the climbing area as "a great place to train and run bouldering circuits."
4. Swimming Holes at Seven Tubs.
Like Ricketts Glenn, this is in the Scranton neck of the woods. And boy is this a gem. Seven Tubs, officially Seven Tubs Nature Area, is a public recreation area that boasts one — actually seven — really groovy attractions: tubs! Not the boring porcelain tub of your childhood, but rather nature-made smooth sandstone tubs. Glacial meltwater, continuously flowing, carved out a series of smooth tubs thousands of years ago. Today, you can start at the top of the tub chain and slide you way down from tub to tub.
5. Kayak the Susquehanna.
Ah, the mighty Susquehanna. I used to take having a river near me for granted, until I traveled more and realized that not everyone has a beautiful body of water near their home. It's something that should be appreciated and taken advantage of. Kayaking is a perfect way to explore the river, meet fellow adventurers and breathe in all that fresh air. If you don't have a kayak, Susquehanna Outfitters is your go to place for all things rental. They rent kayaks, but also canoes and stand up paddleboards.
6. Hop on the Appalachian Trail.
We know that the Appalachian Trail runs from Georgia to Maine, but I think that many of us forget that the A.T. winds through our beloved Pennsylvania. The Appalachian Trail looks different in every state, but in PA it is characterized by long, flat and rocky ridges. The A.T.'s official site notes that southern PA has some of the easiest hiking of the whole A.T., but as you work your way north, the trail gives way to steep descents and ridgeline gaps. Sounds legit, right? Backpacking.com has mapped out different hikes along the A.T. in central PA, including a 6.3 mile hike along the Susquehanna, and a 9.7 mile hike along Peters mountain. Grab your bandana and a Clif bar to feel super legit.
