DCNR Calendar of Events

Events

Saturday, September 2

Celebrate PA Trails Month

Celebrate PA Trails Month by exploring all of the trails that M.K. Goddard State Park has to offer. With 16 miles of trails, M.K. Goddard provides endless...

Sunrise Beaver Watch

Join the park naturalist on a 1/2-mile hike on McCune Run Trail to observe the beaver ponds. Please meet at the parking lot across from the trailhead. ...

Eastern Wood Peewee sitting on tree branch with bug in beak.

Join the park naturalist for a morning bird walk around White Clay Creek Preserve to see what feathery friends are living in our park. Whether you've never...

Wildlife Watchers on the Water - Pontoon

Enjoy our popular 1 ½ hour guided pontoon boat program. Leisurely explore the coves of Lake Marburg to quietly observe wildlife along the water’s...

Beginner Mountain Biking

Are you interested in mountain biking but not sure where to get started? Meet with the Oil Creek State Park educator and the owners of 4 Season Cycle, Jim...

Beginner’s Frisbee Golf Course

Enjoy our temporary nine-hole Beginner’s Frisbee Golf Course. This is not a “Disc Golf” course, which uses smaller/heavier discs that are often difficult to...

Friends Trail Day

Join the Friends of Ridley Creek State Park trail crew on their monthly trail maintenance excursions where they care for park trails, remove invasive plants...

Kayak Island Exploration

Join the Park Naturalist for an easy early morning kayak paddle to explore Clark and Harris Island. Must bring your own kayak. Ages 16 and older....

Lagoon by Pontoon

DCNR staff and Volunteers offer a free interpretive pontoon boat ride throughout Misery Bay and the lagoons. Experience the plants and animals that live in...

Marsh Creek Dam Hike

Join Park Staff for a 3-mile hike along the white trail to the dam and back. Learn about park history, flora, and fauna. This is a moderately difficult hike...

Hawk Falls waterfall - Hickory Run State Park

Join the park staff for a moderate 1.5-mile hike to Hawk Falls while enjoying the wildlife, plants, and natural features of the forest along the way. Bring...

Ride the Rail Trail

Join a park naturalist on a guided ride along the Lowlands Trail. Bring your own bike or borrow one of the parks loaner bikes. Participants should expect to...

Ride the Rails

Join us for this free interpretive bike trip. Bring your own bike. We will make several stops on our nine-mile ride on the Great Allegheny Passage. Along the...

Good Morning Nature Kayak Preregistration required

Yellow Creek Lake is teaming with wildlife, fish, birds, and aquatic plants. Come and enjoy a quiet morning looking for wildlife and paddling the lake....

Beaver Pond Stroll

Come take a walk along the Beaver Pond trail to learn about Pennsylvania’s largest rodent, the Beaver. We’ll check out the beaver lodge and investigate how...

Beginner Kayaking

New to kayaking, or you’d like to give it a try? Join us for a beginner crash course on kayaks. All equipment is provided. Must be 12 years and older to...

Foltz School Open Days

Jennings Environmental Education Center and 3MJC are opening the doors of the historic Foltz School to visitors this summer and fall for a series of open...

Furnace Walking Tour

Pine Grove Furnace was not always the scenic mountain getaway you see today. Take a 1-mile walk through the past to discover the history of Pine Grove...

Geocaching 101

Meet at the Blacksmith Shop to learn about this popular outdoor activity. Participants will get hands on experience and go in search of a cache. A limited...

Bell Tower

Stop by the Park Office Environmental Education Center and see photos throughout the over 50 year history of the park. We'll also talk about the future plans...

Last Walk of the Summer

Let's walk along part of Lakeshore Trail, to the Turtle Pond and back, and see what plants and critters we can find.

Lumberman Hike

Discover how logging in the early 20th century shaped today's landscape. This hike is approximately 3 miles in lenght. Please meet at the Laurel Hill...

Eastern chipmunk

How well do you know your mammals? Come visit the park educator to see how well you can identify common PA mammals by looking at furs, skulls, and scat!...

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Pick up the scavenger hunt list at the park office between 10 am and 12 pm. Use any type of camera to take pictures of the items on the list. Then return...

Raptors of Tohickon Creek Gorge

***Pre-registration required: Please register for this program by clicking the green "register" button.*** ***Meeting location: High Rocks Overlook Parking...

Watershed Investigation: Streams and Ponds

Join park staff on this investigation of two different watersheds within Nolde Forest. In what ways are they similar? Different? What might we expect to find...

Wildflower Walk

Explore the late summer blooms of the Laurel Highlands. Learn to identify wildflowers along the way. Please meet at the Scenic View Overlook Parking Area.

Yoga on the Creek!

Join us at Tomb Flats Campground for “Yoga at the Creek!” Traci Salvo, a yoga enthusiast with over 10 years of experience will be leading a class with a...

2023 Monarch Tagging

Help the park naturalist with a citizen science project to monitor the migrating population of Monarch butterflies. Learn how this project helps biologists...

White oak growing out of Boulder Field with partially clouded blue sky - Hickory Run State Park

Meet park staff for a brief talk on the history and significance of this geologic wonder. Please allow 20 minutes to drive to Boulder Field from Route...

Snakes of Pennsylvania (Campground)

Snakes are one of the most feared and misunderstood groups of animals in the world. Join us for a 1-hour talk where we'll learn about the various species of...

Birding 101

Come be present with us and take in your surroundings as you learn and practice looking for and identifying native birds!

Intro to Archery

Practice your archery skills in a fun environment! We will cover the necessary safety procedures of shooting a bow, as well as the technical skills involved...

Stream Stomp!

Put on your critter catching shoes that you don’t mind getting wet and join the park naturalist as we check out what macroinvertebrates call Big Poe Creek home!

A Step Back in Time: Exploring Old Growth Forest

After the logging industry of the 19th and 20th centuries, the vast forests that blanketed Pennsylvania were decimated and left nothing but bare mountainside...

Birding for Beginngers

Meet in the picnic area near the playground and spend an afternoon in the park enjoying an introduction to bird watching. Learn the basics of bird...

Birds for Kids

**ages 6-12 Kids are invited to learn about birds and make a bird call to take home.

Bog Treasures

Take a stroll on the boardwalk to see the unique plants and animals that call the bog home. Find out interesting facts about carnivorous plants! Meet at...

Camper Appreciation Day

We want to thank the support we receive from our campers! Stop by the Campground Amphitheater as we award door prizes to adult campers to show our...

Get Lost-NOT!

Learn how to use a compass on our compass run, and nobody can ever tell you to get lost again. Compasses provided. This program meets at the Rock Oak Trailhead.

Hike: Balanced Rock

Take a walk to the beautiful Balanced Rock and learn how the geology of the area put it there. On the way we’ll learn a little about the history of the park...

Monarch Watch Butterfly Tagging

Join the park naturalist as we catch, tag, and release migrating monarch butterflies. We'll learn about the biology and life cycle of this fascinating...

Preston’s Pearl Cruises

McDanel's Launch Area on North Shore Learn about Moraine State Park, its history, wildlife, and conservation efforts while cruising Lake Arthur on the...

Scat & Skulls and Tracks & Traces Mystery Hunt

Calling all nature detectives to come and try to find the evidence, and identify the animals that came through the amphitheater!

Shoaff's Mill Tours

Shoaff's Mill is an 1840's era Grist Mill that operates from May to October on weekends from 1-3pm. See a 32 ft steel waterwheel turn just as it has for over...

US Geological Survey Gretchen Hansen

Have you every wanted to try snorkeling from a Paddleboard? Are you curious about what lives below the water in Yellow Creek Lake? Join us for a brand...

A Day in the Life: Civilian Conservation Corps

Join us for this month's program at the park as we celebrate Labor Day weekend as we take a look at life in the Civilian Conservation Corps at the Richmond...

Bug Hunt

Bug Hunt (ages 3 and up) – The park naturalist will lead a discussion about what insects are and how they differ from us. Then, participants will go out and...

Elk Smart

Elk Smart is a new initiative to help remind visitors who come to Elk Country to preserve the wild nature of the PA elk herd. Learn the four principles of...

Invasive Plant Volunteer Corps Orientation

Are you interested in volunteering at Nolde Forest but have a schedule that varies from week to week? Do you prefer to work independently as your time...

Nature Showcase at the Beach

Stop by the Beach House to see what part of nature the Park Naturalist has on display! Topics may include skulls, tracks, wildflowers, climate change,...

Ole Bull State Park Nature Scavenger Hunt

What’s the best way to celebrate the upcoming holiday? With a scavenger hunt of course! Find the items listed, take a picture, and report back to the park...

Mourning Cloak

Bring a camera, phone, or tablet to the Campground Amphitheater and take part in a family-fun scavenger hunt! See if you can find everything on the list to...

Principles of Foraging

Join the park naturalist for a primer on foraging. We will go over safe and ethical foraging, followed by a walk to see what tasty treats we can find on the...

Thaddeus Stevens

Thaddeus Stevens was NOT a blacksmith. He owned the 10,000 acres that comprised Caledonia Ironworks. As a leading abolitionist, he advocated for the end of...

Tadpoles swimming on a green leafy background

Find the park staff table near Sand Spring Beach at any time between 2:00 PM—3:00 PM to explore critters of the Lake. In the event of rain, this program...

Birdfeeding 101

Get ready for Autumn as we look at the basics of birdfeeding. We’ll cover the types of feeders, seed, species of birds and more! Wentz Education Center

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

Discover the rich history of the area as we stroll to one of our historic sites

A Walk Through the Forest Cathedral

Please meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom for an interpretive hike into the Forest Cathedral, a registered National Natural Landmark....

White oak growing out of Boulder Field with partially clouded blue sky - Hickory Run State Park

Meet park staff for a brief talk on the history and significance of this geologic wonder. Please allow 20 minutes to drive to Boulder Field from Route...

Boy finds Lepidodendron fossil in the Loyalsock Creek.

Kids ages 7 and up will learn about fossils through fun, hands-on activities. Each child will take home a real fossil!

Monarch Watch Butterfly Tagging

Monarch butterfly presentation followed by a short walk to catch, tag, and release monarch butterflies. Aerial nets provided. Wear closed-toe shoes and be...

Sizerville State Park Pavilion #5 with bridge over the West Branch Cowley Run stream..

Come out and help the park educator along with some other local volunteers work on the pollinator gardens outside of the Environmental Learning Center. We...

Coyotes

Join the park naturalist to learn more about the coyotes around Pennsylvania. Topics will include adaptations, diet, and a brief overview of the natural...

Elementary Entomology: Praying Mantis

Did you know that a praying mantis can turn its head 180 degrees? They are also amazing at blending in to their habitat. Join the park educator at the...

Mysterious, Magical Lodestone

Kids with Their Family Program: Kids will receive their own piece of magical lodestone, we will work with it, and then they will make a floating compass.

Nature Notebooks

Join us for this hands on how to workshop. You will create your own nature inspired journal. Basic nature journaling techniques will be discussed and you...

Rattlesnake Trail Nature Hike

Come check out the fungi, plants, and animals on a relaxing hike on the Rattlesake Trail.

Trapping: What’s the Catch?

Come out and learn why trapping is still a relevant and important conservation practice in Pennsylvania.

Orange monarch butterfly on purple coneflower with green background - Hickory Run State Park

Wander with park staff for a walk-and-talk about some of the flowers currently blooming! Easy walking conditions including some grass, gravel, and pavement....

Trapping in Pennsylvania

Have you ever wondered what traps are used in PA? Or have you ever wondered what to do if you come across traps while out recreating in the state? Learn what...

Canoe Tour of Hills Creek Lake

Explore the history and management of our lake – all by canoe in a relaxed family setting. Boats, paddles, and PFD’s provided. PFD’s must be worn at all...

Intro to Kayaking

Here's your chance to try kayaking! Participants will learn kayak terminology and basic paddle skills before heading out on the water. Ages 12 and...

Poolside Powwow

Take a break from the pool, grab a snack or ice cream, and join the park’s educator for a short impromptu program. The topic will be revealed at the powwow,...

Survival Skills: Fire building and Marshmallow Roast

Come join the park naturalist as we talk about the art of fire building. Once the flames are roaring there will be a marshmallow roast as we say goodbye to...

Pink clouds on a blue sky over the Sand Spring Day Use Area - Hickory Run State Park

Join park staff for a guided evening hike to celebrate the end of summer by getting outside! This hike will be roughly 2.5 miles on moderate terrain, and...

Stories of Famous Americans

Gather round to hear entertaining stories from local storyteller and historian John Moran! He'll share recounts of Americans you've heard of before - from...

Smokey Bear Night

Join Smokey Bear in a parade around the lower loop of the campground. Participate on foot or on bike (helmets required). Learn all about fire prevention in...

Sunset Paddle

Join us for a leisurely paddle on Lake Jean to observe the sunset. Park and meet at the Western Boat Launch. If you are bringing your own boat, no need...

Turkey Vultures

Join us in learning about the bird with the largest smelling system of all birds. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Aquatic Mammals

Beavers, Muskrats, and Otters, oh my! Ever wonder who makes those mud and stick dams, tiny cute dome houses and bankside waterslides. Come and learn about...

BATS!

At PA state parks we love our BATS! Come for a program on the fact and fiction of bats in Pennsylvania followed by a walk to see if we can find the bats of...

Campfire Tales: Tales from the CCC

Join the park naturalist around the campfire as he tells you some mild ghost stories based on the Civilian Conservation Corps at the park and in Buchanan...

Nature at Night

Curious about what critters wake up and become active just as we are getting ready for bed? Come out and join the park naturalist and find out about what is...

Pennsylvania Black Bear

Join the Pennsylvania Game Commission to get up close and personal with one of Penn's Woods most intresting creatures. Please meet at the Laurel Hill...

River Otters

Are there otters in Ohiopyle? What do they eat? How do we know? For many years these playful mammals were absent from Ohiopyle. Join us and lean about their...

Story Time

Join the campground host in an evening story time. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Please meet at the James A Kell Visitor Center. For more...

The Cunning Coywolf of Pennsylvania

Program on the history, migrations and genetics of our present day Eastern Coyote.

Tree Scavenger Hunt

Join us to learn the local trees through a fun scavenger hunt. We will also be making a tree leaf booklet containing some of the common trees of the area. ...

What's that Scat?

What’s in a meal and how can we tell? Join the park naturalist as we talk about what animals eat and how we can tell who has been hanging around the park, by...

Beaver Watch

Join our park naturalist for a short hike to learn more about the ecology of natures engineers. We will investigate the dams, feed beds and lodges that our...

Katydid Cadence

Ever hear a katydid sing? Or maybe a katydidn't? Join the park naturalist to learn about these fascinating insects and also why they are singing at...

Nature at Night: Owl Prowl

Whoooo's there? After a half-hour presentation exploring owl traits and identification, we will hit the trail to listen (and look) for owls! They can be a...

RATS!

Few people would think that rats would be part of our endangered species series this summer, but the Allegheny Wood Rat is a native species whose population...

Reintroduction of River Otters/Fishers

These two species were once gone from our land, but through conservation efforts & reintroduction they are becoming more & more common. Come out to the...

The Misunderstood Rattlesnake

Join Tuscarora State Forest Ranger, Steve Sfaffer, for an in depth look at the ecologically important Timber Rattlesnake. These reptiles have been maligned...

WILDLIFE CHALLENGE!

Let's see how much you know about PA's wild animals. Is it as much as you think you do? Work as a family team, or go it alone to correctly identify wildlife...

World of Mushrooms Ampitheater Program

Join local mushroom enthusiast Peter Tocco as he discusses identifying edible mushrooms and how to grow your own at home! He will also explore the amazing...

A Virtual Tour of Cook Forest

There are many things to see and do during your stay at Cook Forest, from walking amongst magnificent, tall, and ancient old growth forests to taking a...

Monuments on the Gettysburg Battlefield

With 200,000 soldiers engaged over three days in 1863, it is easy to be overwhelmed by all of the monuments to states, corps, divisions, brigades, companies,...

Spider Hunt

Let’s go on a spider hunt! Learn about these amazing creatures and discover how to find them.

Sizerville State Park Pavilion #5 with bridge over the West Branch Cowley Run stream..

Have you got the chance to see an elk while on your trip here in the PA Wilds? Come out to this program and learn all the details about elk and how they...

Bobcats

Learn about our largest wild feline's history, management, life cycle, distribution, and more. Mounts, hides, skulls, photos, videos and other visual will...

Night Sky Tour - Late Summer Sky

Experience the wonder of the night sky at Cherry Springs State Park through a laser-guided tour conducted by park staff. Explore the constellations of Ursa...

Saturday Night Movies

Grab the blankets, snacks and especially the family; come to Keystone State Park for the Saturday night walk in movie. The park will be playing a variety of...

September Stargazing

Experience the wonder of the park at night through a laser-guided tour of the night sky. Telescopes available if weather permits.

Through Our Telescopes: Moon and Planet Watch

Under the guidance of our volunteers and staff, embark on an amazing telescope tour of the night sky. This evening we're focusing on Saturn and the Moon....

Saturday, September 2