Explore PA’s Poe Paddy Tunnel and spend a day hiking, fishing and swimming

The public is invited to explore Poe Paddy Tunnel, located about 30 miles east of State College, on Sunday and Wednesday, through ClearWater Conservancy’s Centred Outdoors program. Free guided nature walks along the Mid-State Trail will be offered on these days, and guides from Penns Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited will also provide fly-fishing demonstrations along the stream.

To attend the events, everyone will first walk through the Poe Paddy Tunnel, a unique gateway to the Mid-State Trail and Penns Creek. Since the tunnel is unlit and over 250-feet long, passing through it is a fun adventure. By foot it will take under a few minutes with a brief moment of almost complete darkness in the very middle before the light from the other side shines through to guide you.

Once through the tunnel, guided nature walks along will take place at 1 and 3 p.m on Sunday and 6 p.m on Wednesday with Jim Flanagan, PVCA educator. The portion of the Mid-State Trail that will be covered is wide and flat, making this a suitable adventure for all ages and fitness levels. Along the walk you will learn about the plants and wildlife found in the area and the roles that the region’s birds, mammals, plants and bugs play to build and support healthy ecosystems.

Visitors can also watch and participate in fly-fishing demonstrations with Penns Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited (PCCTU) during and between the guided walks. PCCTU members will have equipment and instructors on hand so it’s not necessary to bring any gear or rods to participate.

Depending on the direction you are driving from, the drive to the Poe Paddy Tunnel could be up to 45 minutes to an hour in length. To make the most of your trip, consider packing a picnic lunch and swimming gear for a visit to Poe Valley State Park before or after your adventure. There is a large public swimming beach at the park with public restrooms, changing areas, boat rentals and a concession stand. To get to the swimming area from the tunnel parking area, follow Poe Paddy Drive for about four miles (approximately 12 minutes). With a sandy beach and plenty of space to splash around in, the time will pass quickly as you cool down from or gear up for your tunnel adventure.

Centred Outdoors is a program of ClearWater Conservancy, and all events are free and open to the public. Visit www.centredoutdoors.org to view full event details, safety tips including tick bite prevention, and the entire season six schedule.

Planning to visit this destination? Here are a few tips:

Address to use for your GPS: Tunnel Spur Road, Haines Township, PA

What to bring:

• A filled water bottle

• Sun protection including a hat and sunscreen

• Bug repellent

• Comfortable shoes (hiking boots are not necessary)

• A light snack or picnic lunch

• Swimming gear and towels if planning a trip to the swimming beach at Poe Valley State Park

Additional Information:

• This is a pet-friendly destination. Please keep your pets on a leash and always clean up after your pets.

• Cellphone service is not reliable at this location, and it is recommended that you have a paper copy of directions prior to leaving home.

• The nearest restroom facilities to the tunnel and guided hikes are located at the Poe Paddy Campground area, located less than a half mile before the parking area for the tunnel.

• Public swimming is permitted nearby at Poe Valley State Park.

This story was originally published June 10, 2022 at 6:00 AM.