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Several people stand in the middle of a forest surrounded by fall foliage, looking off into the distance.
Stories in Pennsylvania

6 Best Hiking & Outdoor Recreation Opportunities Near You

Choose your outdoor adventure at one of TNC's preserves in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to get outside and explore nature, look no further than The Nature Conservancy’s public preserves in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Our dedicated stewardship team works year-round to protect these critically connected ecosystems and create safe public access for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.

While all of our public preserves offer miles of hiking trails, several preserves offer unique recreational opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. 

Bring the family and enjoy all that TNC’s public preserves have to offer with one of these suggested activities. Prefer to join a group? Keep an eye out on our events page for one of our several guided events on our preserves throughout the year!

1. Mountain Biking at the Dick & Nancy Eales Preserve at Moosic Mountain

A person on a bike moves through a green field.
Mountain Biking at Eales Explore more than 16 miles of singletrack along one of the best and largest ridgetop heath barrens in Pennsylvania. © John Rogan

Explore more than 16 miles of singletrack along one of the best and largest ridgetop heath barrens in Pennsylvania, a mosaic of stunted pine and oak forest dominated by huckleberry, blueberry, rhodora and other low-lying shrubs that attract a broad array of birds and butterflies. 

An orange sun sets in the distance behind a forest filled with bright fall colors.
A Fall View A stunning fall sunset at Eales Preserve © Jeff Mitchel

In autumn, the ridgetop views from the Eales Preserve are a nature lover’s delight. Visitors can enjoy the sights of colorful changing foliage as well as migratory songbirds and raptors that are heading south for the winter.

However, if you decide to explore the preserve, you’ll have numerous trail options to choose from across 2,250 protected acres. Take the Blueberry Trail or the Pink Floyd Trail to explore ridgetops dotted with small trees and shrubs and incredible views to the west, or challenge yourself on the Moosic Mountain Big Tour, rated as a difficult, 12-mile trail with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. There are also wheelchair-accessible trails beginning at the main entrance.

A map of Eales preserve trails.
Trail at Eales Preserve If you're bringing your bike to our Eales Preserve, you will have plenty of trail options to choose from! All trails, with the exception of the Waterfall Loop trail, are available for mountain biking © The Nature Conservancy

2. Snowshoeing at Long Pond Preserve

A view looking down at a person's feet in the snow next to a pair of snowshoes and a wooden bench with a red mug sitting on it.
Snowshoeing at Long Pond. Bring your snowshoes and explore the 1.7-mile woodland loop along Cathy’s Trail. © Yann Allegre via Unsplash

When the snow descends in the Pocono Mountains, it’s a call to adventure. Bring your snowshoes and head to Hauser Nature Center to explore a 1.7-mile woodland loop along Cathy’s Trail, where you’ll encounter a unique mixture of northern hardwood forest and boreal coniferous swamp, both with beautiful evergreens dusted with the powdery sugar of snowfall.

Continue onward through the forest to reach a hidden boulder field, where you’ll find a unique piece of history, rocky remnants from the last glacial age. These rocks are a reminder of the nature that called this area home ages ago.

Before heading back to enjoy a warming mug of hot chocolate, be sure to keep your eyes peeled along the wintry landscape for animal tracks and the native snowshoe hare with its distinctive winter white fur, which mirrors the surrounding winter wonderland.

Deer tracks are visible in a thick layer of snow.
Animal Tracks Snowshoeing provides the best opportunity to spot animal tracks out in the wild. Deer tracks, like these, are a common finding at Long Pond in the winter. © Stephen Ruswick/TNC
× Deer tracks are visible in a thick layer of snow.
A view of a forest covered in snow.
Winter Views When covered in a blanket of snow, Long Pond becomes a serene, quiet and beautiful placed to enjoy the outdoors. © Stephen Ruswick/TNC
× A view of a forest covered in snow.
Animal Tracks Snowshoeing provides the best opportunity to spot animal tracks out in the wild. Deer tracks, like these, are a common finding at Long Pond in the winter. © Stephen Ruswick/TNC
Winter Views When covered in a blanket of snow, Long Pond becomes a serene, quiet and beautiful placed to enjoy the outdoors. © Stephen Ruswick/TNC

3. Kayaking at the Edward H. McCabe Preserve

A metal dock stretched out into a body of water with a kayak at the end.
Kayaking at McCabe Enjoy a 2-mile paddle eastward to the dock at the McCabe Preserve where you can stop to enjoy a waterfront picnic. © Melisa Soysal/TNC
A snowy egret stands on a piece of driftwood.
Wildlife Spotting Snowy egrets are among the many diverse species that call Milton, Delaware home. © Tyler Smiley

Fall is one of the best times to visit southern Delaware as the beach crowds, traffic jams and summer heat begin to ease. Drop your kayak or paddleboard into the Broadkill River in the historic town of Milton and enjoy a two-mile paddle eastward to the dock at the McCabe Preserve, where you can stop to enjoy a waterfront picnic in an area known to provide habitat for more than 100 native and migratory bird species.

A picnic table sits on grass in front of a body of water.
Enjoy a Picnic Sit back and take in nature while you enjoy a picnic along the Broadkill River. © John Hinkson/TNC

As you travel east, you’ll float through a peaceful oasis of egrets, herons, osprey and eagles. Catch glimpses of colorful warblers and other migratory songbirds fueling up and resting as they pass through the area on their way south for the winter, and impress your traveling companions by spotting the prehistoric-looking glasswort (also known as pickleweed, sea asparagus or sea bean)a salt-tolerant succulent that lives in marshes and turns bright red in autumn.

At the McCabe Preserve’s floating dock two miles downstream, visitors are invited to step ashore, enjoy a lunch break at the picnic table and then walk the trails or explore the forested trails on foot before beginning the journey back.

Several red knot bird huddle together near water.
Best Birdwatching Pennsylvania and Delaware offer some of the best places for bird watching in the country year-round. © Chris Purnell/Birdlife Australia

4. Explore Rare Flora at Tannersville Cranberry Bog

Join one of our guided events at the Tannersville Cranberry Bog this season (details below) and experience one of the most outstanding examples of a boreal bog in Pennsylvania, which has been designated as a national natural landmark.

A group of people stand on a wooden boardwalk through a forested area.
Floating boardwalk The floating boardwalk at Tannersville Cranberry Bog offers a unique experience to explore nature. © Matt Kane/TNC

Located five miles northwest of Stroudsburg and 900 feet above sea level, your first steps will feel like going back in time to prehistoric days in the upper Adirondack Mountains or the Canadian wilderness. Take note of the rare plants and animals along the boardwalk, which may include the famous carnivorous pitcher plants that turn a deep shade of red in the fall or dozens of juvenile newts. Guests are encouraged to wear sturdy footwear.

Due to its fragile nature, the bog may only be visited during regularly scheduled walks conducted by the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center.

Exploring the Bog (3:03) Discover the unique species that inhabit the special ecosystem at the Tannersville Cranberry Bog.
Two red berries grow on a bush.
Cranberries Though cranberries are not harvested at Tannersville Cranberry Bog, they can still be seen growing in abundance across the bog's landscape. © Melisa Soysal/TNC

Guided Events at the Bog

A limited number of spaces are available for our guided events at Tannersville Cranberry Bog taking place May 2024 - October 2024. From full moon walks to birding, we have something for everyone!  See our events schedule.

× Two red berries grow on a bush.
A group of people walk through a cleared path in a forest.
Hiking Cove Mountain Several trails of varying lengths and elevations await you at The Hamer Woodlands at Cove Mountain. © John Hinkson/TNC
A vista view overlooking a body of water with a small mountain in the center.
Stunning Views Beautiful views of nature and Harrisburg await you as you hike through the Hamer Woodlands at Cove Mountain. © Kevin Yoder/TNC

The slopes of Cove Mountain will welcome you as you traverse a key Kittatinny Ridge stopover for migratory birds including hawks, eagles and falcons. The ridge is one of the most important landscapes in the Appalachians, and protecting it will help safeguard biodiversity now and in the future.

Thanks to our partnership with the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, we have been able to expand the trail system at Cove Mountain Preserve in recent years, with new trails being created and enhanced year-round. 

A cluster of three large green oval shaped fruits grow off of a tree branch.
Native Wildlife Keep an eye out for Pawpaw trees, bearing Pensylvania's largest native fruit, Pawpaws as you hike The Hamer Woodlands at Cove Mountain. © Elizabeth Hanson/TNC

For a shorter hike, take the green or yellow trail (each approximately 0.5 mile) to the observation area, where you can see the Statue of Liberty replica towering above the Susquehanna River below. Looking for something longer or more challenging? Take the blue trail or the pink trail to the top of the ridge for an even greater elevation gain.

Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife! During your hike, you may notice trees bearing Pennsylvania’s largest native fruit: the pawpaw, which ripens for a brief period in mid- to late September. With an unusual, hard-to-classify taste, the pawpaws provide critical calories for local and migratory wildlife.

A red bird with black wings sits on a branch.
Opportunity to see unique birds While hiking at Cove Mountain, you will likely encounter several interesting bird species, like the Scarlet Tanager. Their vibrant colors make them easy to spot among the springtime flora of our Cove Mountain Preserve. © Steve S. Meyer
× A red bird with black wings sits on a branch.
The sunsets over a body of eater creating a deep blue, purple, and pink sky.
Sunset Views A carefully timed hike at Cove Mountain can lead you to stunning views of the sunsetting over the Susquehanna. © The Nature Conservancy
× The sunsets over a body of eater creating a deep blue, purple, and pink sky.
Opportunity to see unique birds While hiking at Cove Mountain, you will likely encounter several interesting bird species, like the Scarlet Tanager. Their vibrant colors make them easy to spot among the springtime flora of our Cove Mountain Preserve. © Steve S. Meyer
Sunset Views A carefully timed hike at Cove Mountain can lead you to stunning views of the sunsetting over the Susquehanna. © The Nature Conservancy
A person runs on a trail in a forest.
Trail Running at Ponders Tract The flat, sandy trails at Ponders Tract are perfect for trail running or walking with your family. © Greg Rosenke via Upsplash

The flat, sandy trails at Ponders Tract are enjoyed by trail runners and families year-round. You’ll see the results of in-progress forest restoration and catch rare plants and lizards basking in the sun. Close to the beaches—but without the crowds—this is a hidden gem.

A cleared sandy path cuts through a forest of tall green pine trees.
The Perfect Trail Trail runners and families can enjoy the flat, sandy trails at Ponders Tract year-round. © John Hinkson/TNC

When TNC purchased the Ponders Tract at Pemberton Forest Preserve in 2004 from a pulpwood company, the 900+-acre property was covered almost exclusively with loblolly pine trees. Now, nearly 20 years later, this preserve is becoming a shining example of what a successful mixed-hardwood forest restoration can look like in Delaware thanks to many years of forest thinning and prescribed fire. No matter your speed—walk, jog or run—be sure to take in the stunning wildflowers along the edges of the trails in hues of yellows and whites. Use our birding guide and trail map to plan your adventure.