PENNSYLVANIA STATE PARKS WITH ADA ACCESSIBLE TRAILS BY REGION AND PARK NAME
NORTH
Black Moshannon State Park
4216 Beaver Road Philipsburg , PA 16866-9519 Phone: 814-342-5960
Manager: Jessica Lavelua E-mail: blackmoshannonsp@pa.gov
Bog Trail: 0.3 mile, 0.5 mile full loop, easiest hiking
Take the boardwalk to explore a wetland dominated by sphagnum moss and leatherleaf, and accented by sedges, rushes, carnivorous plants and lilies. Observe waterfowl and other wildlife along the trail. Wayside panels tell the surprising story of bogs and other park wetlands. Access for people with disabilities is at Boating Area #3.
GPS: Lat. 40.9014 Long. -78.05775
Shikellamy State Park
Bridge Avenue Sunbury, PA 17801-1005 Phone: 570-988-5557
Manager: John Clifford E-mail: shikellamysp@pa.gov
At Shikellamy Marina, 1.5 miles of paved trails encircle the southern tip of Packers Island.
Sinnemahoning State Park
4843 Park Road Austin, PA 16720 Phone: 814-647-8401
Manager: Lisa Bainey E-mail: sinnemahoningsp@pa.gov
Hiking: 5 miles of trails
The Lowlands Trail follows the course of the First Fork through five miles of the park, passing through open fields, shrubby riparian zones and mature, towering forests. This scenic trail was originally part of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad bed. Interpretive panels along the way provide insights into the wildlife and ecology of the park.
An ADA accessible wildlife viewing platform is located at the northern trailhead of the Lowlands Trail. This area is ideal habitat for deer, elk, woodcock, migratory songbirds and monarch butterflies. The trail from the wildlife viewing platform to the 40 Maples Day Use Area is ADA accessible.
A spur of the trail near the 40 Maples Day Use Area leads to a secluded viewing blind that overlooks an abandoned beaver pond. Quiet visitors may be able to see great blue herons wading in the pond or painted turtles basking on partially submerged logs. Osprey, green herons, belted kingfishers, bobcats and whitetail deer also frequent the area.
SOUTH
Kings Gap Environmental Education Center
500 Kings Gap Road Carlisle, PA 17015-9306 Phone: 717-486-5031
Manager: Scott Hackenburg E-mail: kingsgapsp@pa.gov
Whispering Pines Trail: 0.3 mile, paved, easiest hiking
This ADA accessible trail loops through the interior of the pine plantation.
White Oaks Trail: 0.3 mile, paved, easiest hiking
This ADA accessible loop trail has exhibits to interpret the ecology of a deciduous white oak forest.
EAST
Neshaminy State Park
3401 State Road Bensalem, PA 19020-5930 Phone: 215-639-4538
Manager: Josh Swartley E-mail: neshaminysp@pa.gov
Logan Walk: This is the original drive to the former Robert Logan Home, which has been removed. The tree-lined walk is used by visitors for numerous recreational activities and serves as a park service road. The walk is paved and ADA accessible.
Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center
2910 New Holland Road Reading, PA 19607-9448 Phone: 610-796-3699
Manager: Lisa Miller E-mail: noldeforestsp@pa.gov
Hiking: 10 miles of trails
The trails of Nolde Forest wander throughout the park under tall trees and near creeks. Some trails are footpaths and others are remnants of gravel roads used by original owners of the mansion. Only trails with trail sign posts are maintained.
Listed below are the main trails. Numerous connectors join all of the trails into many loops.
Boulevard Trail: 2.3 miles
This old fire road provides easy walking under hardwood trees in a loop in the middle of the center. The trail begins and ends at the mansion.
Kissinger Road: 0.8 mile
This old fire road provides easy walking through a conifer plantation planted for Jacob Nolde.
Kohout Trail: 0.3 mile
This short trail in the northern corner of the park has a few steep inclines. In the spring it is a good trail to see wildflowers.
Middle Road: 0.6 mile
This old fire road provides easy walking through a conifer plantation planted for Jacob Nolde.
Watershed Trail: 1.1 miles
This hiking trail follows the scenic creek bottom along Punches Run. The trail begins and ends at the mansion.
Please stay on trails to protect the life that borders the paths. Bicycles and motor vehicles are prohibited on any trails or roads, except the paved entrance road to the center. Enjoy plants and animals in their natural setting. Picking, digging and collecting plants and animals are not permitted. All wildlife should be left undisturbed.
Norristown Farm Park
2500 Upper Farm Road Norristown, PA 19403 Phone: 610-270-0215
Manager: Ken Shellenberger E-mail: parkregion4sp@pa.gov
All paved trails can be accessed by wheelchairs. Some trails have hills that could impact wheelchair use. Check the contours on the map to determine changes in elevation and your ability to maneuver these grades. Several rustic nature trails are available for the adventuresome.
CAUTION: Any of the roads and trails could potentially be used by either park vehicles or farm equipment. Users will need to pay attention to other users of the roads and trails. Public motor vehicles are restricted to the Upper Farm Road for access to the picnic pavilions and parking lots.
Ridley Creek State Park
1023 Sycamore Mills Road Media, PA 19063-4398 Phone: 610-892-3900
Manager: Michael Kutzmonich E-mail: ridleycreeksp@pa.gov
The 5-mile, paved Multi-use Trail along Sycamore Mills and Forge roads is designated for bicycles, joggers, walkers and cross-country skiers. Park in lots #7, #11, #15 and # 17.
WEST
Cook Forest State Park
113 River Road P.O. Box 120 Cooksburg, PA 16217-0120 Phone: 814-744-8407
Manager: Ryan Borcz E-mail: cookforestsp@pa.gov
There are 29 miles of hiking trails that explore many habitats including the old growth timber.
Point State Park
601 Commonwealth Place Bldg. A Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1212 Phone: 412-565-2850
Manager: Kevin Blair E-mail: ra-pointsp@pa.gov
Visitors can walk along ADA accessible paved promenades on the riverfront and to overlooks for dramatic views of Pittsburgh, its busy waterways, scenic hillsides and many bridges. Natural landscaping and a 100-foot tall fountain enhance the beauty of this unique park at the “Forks of the Ohio.” Numerous benches are throughout the park. Visitors may picnic on the lawns. A stepped wall along the Allegheny River section of the park provides seating for outdoor events.
Presque Isle State Park
301 Peninsula Drive, Suite 1 Erie, PA 16505-2042 Phone: 814-833-7424
Manager: Mathew D Greene E-mail: presqueislesp@pa.gov
Sidewalk Trail: 1.25 miles
This historic trail was constructed by the U.S. Lighthouse Service as a path from the Presque Isle Lighthouse to the U.S. Lighthouse Service boathouse in Misery Bay. The trail was once a wooden boardwalk and was resurfaced with concrete in 1925.
Karl Boyes Multi-purpose National Recreation Trail: 13.5 miles of trails
The Multi-purpose Trail and extension makes a 13.5-mile circuit in the park. This paved trail is designated as a National Recreation Trail. This ADA accessible trail is popular with bicyclists, in-line skaters and joggers. During the winter, the trail is plowed from the entrance to the ranger station for hikers. For cross-country skiers, the trail is left snow covered from the ranger station to Perry Monument. The trail was renamed in 2003 for the late State Representative Karl Boyes. Without his vision and tireless efforts, the trail would not exist.
Pymatuning State Park
2660 Williamsfield Road Jamestown, PA 16134-3560 Phone: 724-932-3142
Manager: Dan Bickel E-mail: pymatuningsp@pa.gov
Sightseeing: Anywhere along the lake, beautiful vistas of this large body of water can be enjoyed. Some of the more unique sights include the dam, the Linesville “spillway,’’ the fish hatchery, and the two causeways across the lake. The spillway is perhaps one of the best known locations because the fish are so plentiful that the “ducks walk on the fishes’ backs” to compete for the food fed by the visitors.
Also, Pymatuning is the only known place in Pennsylvania where bald eagles have nested continuously, even throughout the years of their population decline. Today, park visitors get thrills from spotting eagles in the park.
Sunset Photography: Popular areas to photograph the sunsets at Pymatuning are the Spillway, Linesville Beach, the causeway and Jamestown Main Beach. While the setting sun makes beautiful photographs, wait a few minutes after complete sunset to capture the afterglow where you will often have brilliant oranges and yellows to give you those postcard shots.