The PA Wilds

06/04/2026

Pause. Breathe. Explore.

Can you believe this is in Pennsylvania?

Tag someone you want to see this unfold with in the .

06/03/2026

When the sun goes down, the lights up.

With some of the darkest skies in the eastern United States, this is the kind of place where the Milky Way stretches overhead, constellations fill the sky, and nights feel a little more magical.

Whether you’re camping under the stars, wandering a quiet trail after sunset, or watching the galaxy rise about the trees, the night sky here is something you don’t just see, but experience.

Save this for your next stargazing adventure and tag someone who should see it with you 🌌

06/02/2026

A few of our favorite colors …

06/02/2026

Craving a summer adventure as you enjoy your summer break from college at Penn State? The Pennsylvania Wilds, a 13-county region covering the most rural section of Pennsylvania, offers plenty to do within a short drive. For budget-conscious college students who still want the road trip experience while being mindful of filling up their gas tank, it’s a perfect destination.

Some places are as close as just a 30-minute drive from campus, while others take 2 hours to reach and are more appropriate for a day trip or an overnight stay. Whatever you choose, you’ll find some incredible adventures and lifelong memories in the PA Wilds! https://bit.ly/49Aa5gT

📍 Wellsboro, PA
📷 PA Suncatcher- Linda Stager

06/01/2026

Get your guidebook ➡️ https://shop.pawilds.com/the-pine-creek-rail-trail-guidebook.html

The weather has finally started getting warmer! That pesky winter is behind us!

Now, it’s time to hit the trails. If you’re planning on hitting DCNR’s 2026 Trail of the Year, the Pine Creek Rail Trail, you’re going to want to pick up this book by local Wellsboro author Linda Stager.

This second edition includes the new extension into Wellsboro, covering all 65+ miles of this beautiful trail.

Our PA Wilds Conservation Shop at Leonard Harrison State Park has it in stock and it can also be found on our Marketplace at shop.wilds.com!

See you on the trail! 👣🚲

05/28/2026

Each year the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship recognizes individuals, groups, organizations, communities, and businesses that in the last year have made significant contributions to help grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism in the PA Wilds by marrying economic development and conservation goals.

The PA Wilds Center is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Champions of the PA Wilds Awards. The 2026 Champions are —

✳️ Artisan of the Year: Marie Lewis of Pine Springs Pottery, Clarion County
✳️ Best Brand Ambassador: Pine Creek Seed Farm Corn Maze, Clinton County
✳️ Business of the Year: Kane Manor Inn, McKean County
✳️ Conservation Stewardship: Claire and Rusty Orner of Quiet Creek Herb Farm and School of Country Living, Jefferson County
✳️ Event of the Year: New Forest Co. Bigfoot Festival Page, Forest County
✳️ Great Design: Floating Feathers Brewing Company, Clinton County
✳️ Great Places: Historic Armstrong Brick Block, Elk County
✳️ Inspiring Youth: Jack Maxwell, Clarion County
✳️ Outstanding Leader: Richard Wykoff, Clinton County
✳️ PA Wilds Planning Team Member of the Year: Candace Hillyard, Potter County

The winners will be honored at the 2026 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards, to be held on Thursday, July 30 in Clearfield County. The theme for this year’s event is “The Power of Partnerships.”

Learn more and register for the 2026 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards at https://bit.ly/4dUyG17.

05/27/2026

A first-of-its-kind cycling destination is coming to the PA Wilds!

Wild Elk Gravel is a new regional gravel-cycling route network designed to showcase the unmatched natural landscapes, outdoor recreation opportunities, and vibrant rural communities at the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Centered in Cameron County, the network expands into Potter, Clinton, Clearfield, and Elk Counties, threading through Elk, Susquehannock, and Moshannon State Forests. This is the only gravel destination in the Eastern United States where more than 1,500 wild elk roam freely across vast public lands.

Developed by David Landis of V2V Trails in partnership with Cameron County, North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning & Development Commission, the PA Wilds, Elk State Forest, and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, this project maps and markets existing public roads and rail trails to create a world-class outdoor recreation experience for residents and visitors alike.

Learn more about this exciting project and check out the routes: https://bit.ly/3PptcU4

📷 Jonny Ramirez

05/27/2026

Calm water, open trail, nowhere to be.

📍 Bald Eagle State Park | Pennsylvania Wilds

Plan your trip at PAWilds.com

05/25/2026

"Photography, at least for me, has never been just about documenting a place—it’s about experiencing it. The light, the weather, the season, even my own mindset all shape what I see and how I choose to frame it. Because of that, no two visits to the same location ever feel quite the same, even if I’m standing in a familiar spot."

Hear from author and outdoor photographer Shawn Grenninger as he shares his approach to photography and his pursuit of finding new perspectives in familiar places: https://bit.ly/4uqjuzX

📷 Two images of Rough Hill Vista, nearly identical in framing. One captures an autumn morning, with hints of fall color and fog drifting through the valley. The other, taken after a fresh snowfall, transforms the same scene into something quieter and more stark.

Shawn Grenninger Photography

05/23/2026

Where in the Wilds are you taking dad this Father's Day? —

Dad deserves to be celebrated every day, but especially on Father’s Day. We’ve put together a list of exciting destinations that dads (and father figures of all varieties) will love visiting in the Pennsylvania Wilds.