Guided outings through Canoe Creek State Park showcase wildlife, miles of trails and more
ClearWater Conservancy’s Centred Outdoors invites the Centre County community to take part in free, guided and informational hikes through the expansive Canoe Creek State Park during the week of July 30.
Attendees can explore the park’s 961 acres of nature — including unique geological features, 12 miles of hiking trails, a beachfront lake for swimming, plenty of picnic areas and maintained wildlife habitats home to over 200 species of birds and mammals, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.
Centred Outdoors will offer 1-mile guided hikes through the Canoe Creek State Park on Sunday, July 30, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 3, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The outings are classified as “easy/moderate” by Centred Outdoors and include ADA accessible facilities. No registration is needed for any Centred Outdoor events.
Located in Hollidaysburg, the park is a 50-minute drive from downtown State College. Upon arrival, participants can park in Parking Lot No. 6 on the Canoe Creek map, adjacent to Pavilion No. 2. Hikes will begin at the park’s Terry Wentz Education Center. For more information about local transportation options, visit Centred Outdoors’ Transportation page.
According to ClearWater Conservancy’s Assistant Adventure Coordinator Olivia Stas, hikes labeled “easy” indicate that a trail has even and sturdy paths, covers a relatively short distance and doesn’t include a significant elevation change. “Moderate” trails contain slight elevation changes and some uneven ground, Stas said. Individuals looking for more information about trail specifics and difficulty can contact staff at Centred Outdoors.
“Aside from being a brand new Centred Outdoors location for the 2023 season, one thing that excites us about the Canoe Creek hikes is that their staff have prepared a different walk for each of the four available hike times,” Stas said.
Stas added that all trails are the same length and difficulty but feature a different path or theme so that participants can attend multiple, unique hikes around the Education Center. Canoe Creek staff will guide the walks.
Among other amenities, the park offers ample fishing spots along the 155-acre Canoe Lake, a 9-basket disc golf course, cabins for overnight stays, and a 1-mile bike trail.
According to the DCNR, the park has 13 marked trails varying from easy to difficult, and all trails allow for wildlife viewing. More information about specific trails and difficulties can be found on the DCNR website or at the Terry Wentz Education Center on-site.
The informational hikes at Canoe Creek State Park are part of Centred Outdoors’ Summer 2023 series of guided outings and wellness activities. Information about additional upcoming events at various locations around Centre County can be found on Centred Outdoors’ Event Page.