Category: Pennsylvania State

Jennings Environmental Education Center
The Center is “…dedicated to providing environmental education and interpretation to the community. …   One of the park’s main features, the 20-acre prairie ecosystem, is home to distinctive prairie plants and the endangered massasauga rattlesnake.”  “Jennings offers many hiking opportunities that traverse varying terrain and diverse habitats. Visitors may walk through over 300 acres of forest and prairie. “
Phone  724-794-6011   Here is the Center’s website.  Brochure   Map  
The park’s brochure describes 13 “easiest hiking” trails which might suit you.  Call ahead to be sure.
? Woodwhisper Trail: 0.16 mile, “Popular with people with strollers, this paved, flat loop travels through an upland, mixed hardwood forest.” Not listed as ADA, but call to find out if it will accommodate a wheelchair.

Gifford Pinchot State Park
2,338-acre Gifford Pinchot State Park is in northern York County.  ” The park consists of reverting farm fields and wooded hillsides with the 340-acre Pinchot Lake serving as a prime attraction.”
Phone 717-432-5011   Here is the Park website.  Map   Brochure  
Alpine Trail 0.5 mile, “This wide, flat trail has a gravel surface. Alpine Trail has an outstanding crop of wildflowers in April and May, with bluebells and marsh marigolds. The trail begins on the east side of Conewago Day Use Area.”
Oak Trail  0.4 mile, “This short trail connects the campground to the interpretive center at the western end of the Conewago Day Use Area. The trail is gently rolling and wide with a gravel surface. The trail passes through a maturing oak and hickory forest and past a large diabase rock outcropping near the interpretive center. This trail connects with Gravel and Lakeside trails.
Gravel Trail 1.2 miles, “This trail runs through second growth forest from the campground to the area of the boat rental at the eastern end of the Conewago Day Use Area. This wide trail follows an old woods road and has a gravel surface. ”

Cowans Gap State Park
1.085 acre Cowans Gap State Park is in the Allens Valley of Fulton County.  It contains a 42-acre lake and is surrounded by Buchanan State Forest.
Phone: 717-485-3948 Here is the Park website.   Brochure    Map    
Lakeside Trail: 1.5 miles, “This very pleasant, nearly level, scenic trail encircles Cowans Gap Lake. This is the most popular trail in the park. ”  Call ahead to be sure this easy-sounding trail is all right for you.

Black Moshannon State Park
“Black Moshannon State Park covers 3,394 acres of forests and wetlands and conserves unique, natural environments.” It is surrounded by Moshannon State Forest.
Here is their website.  Phone: 814-342-5960  Brochure   Map
Bog Trail is “0.3 mile, 0.5 mile full loop, …….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.”

Cook Forest State Park
8,500-acre Cook Forest State Park in northwestern Pennsylvania., is known for its stands of old growth forest.  The park’s Forest Cathedral of towering white pines and hemlocks is a National Natural Landmark.  13 miles of the Clarion River flows through the Park.
Trails Here is the Park website.  Phone: 814-744-8407  Map   Brochure
Paved Trail: 0.17-mile, “This paved, ADA accessible loop trail is at the end of the water tower access road at the entrance of the Sawmill Center for the Arts. This trail winds through a mature hardwood forest which teams with wildlife like white-tailed deer, squirrel and chipmunk.”

Pennsylvania State Parks
Here are links  to all of the 119 State Parks in Pennsylvania.  Note that many trails are described as “Easiest”.   This means “elevation gain or loss is minimal, less than 5% slope, maximum 20% up to 100 feet.”  It does not guarantee the absence of roots  or rocks to trip you up.  Call ahead.
Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks website.   Phone 717-787-6640