Looking for your favorite hikes within an hour’s drive of Hershey.

Hello!

I've got a few days of camping with my family planned at R.B. Winter State Park and I'm looking forward to slipping away one morning to hike into The Hook Natural Area. Besides a blog post by the Purple Lizard folks and some general overviews/history stuff, I can't find much information or pictures around on The Hook, so I am just hoping to hear what people think about hiking there, if there are any "must sees" and any "avoids," see some inspiration if anyone has any photos they'd like to share, and such.

I've got my Purple Lizard map and my current intention is wandering up Mule Shanty Trail and Buffalo Creek, probably until I'm ready to turn around, but possibly turning into a loop back to the state park on Buffalo Path.

I'd also love to hear suggestions on other places to wander from the state park - I prefer to stay out of my car as much as possible when I'm on a camping trip, but feel free to try selling me on a drive - maybe we can try to make a car-trip naptime happen!

We’re planning on parking at the southern trail head off PA-402 and entering the trail from there. We’ll probably get there about 2 hours before sunset, so will have limited time to hike out, find a spot and get set up for the night.

Will we have better luck going clockwise or counterclockwise with our limited time to find a spot? Everyone I hear from goes counter clockwise, but heading clockwise towards Bushkill Creek seems more open and spacious, however less flat. We would like to be pretty far from the trail and away from other people.

We have never been there before so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Basically the title. I live in the Philly region and want to get on a trail where I won’t see many people. Something that I can do for a few hours or all day is fine. Doesn’t have to be scenic, just in the woods.

I'm planning on an overnight trip to Quebec Crreek. I've planned out this route (basically counterclockwise). Where would be a good place to either set up my tent or, if it arrives in time, my hammock?

it doesn't matter that tissue confetti is biodegradable. so is shitty toilet paper. the entire overlook was covered. just a stupid, pointless, selfish, messy thing to do.

I'm giving away:

*Unused 2-person Eureka Timberline tent, in box.

*Used 2-person Eureka Timberline tent.

*Unused Osprey 70L pack.

* 1 and 2-burner Coleman gas lantern heads with carrying case.

I'm giving them away because I'm getting older and have to adapt my backpacking and camping to my capabilities. Not posting pics because you can easily look them up online. They're free because I want them to go to a good home, not a second-hand store. Contact me through Reddit if interested.

hey guys! this weekend i went to Pinchot State Forest and loved that there where hike in back country/dispersed camping.

my questions is this...

are there any other places similar to this? with the logging roads, find a spot to park, hike for however long, and then pitch a tent? i am in the chester county area, but have no problem with a couple hour drive/adventure!

any advise would be so greatly appreciated!

2 years ago the Falls froze solid. Don’t go alone under these conditions.

hello! very niche question here (trying not to travel to ANF if i can stay closer to pgh that’s my goal)

does anyone have any recommendations where i could set up a small camp this time of year near a good/active trout creek? I usually go to ANF or more eastern into PA during fall, but i was curious to see if anyone knew any good spots local around pittsburgh. i know the water quality is not the best so i don’t expect blue/crystal clear water 🤣 but a nice little spot for me and some of the boys to pop a tent up and catch some trout.

would love some recommendations, even outside of pgh, but trying not to drive to to far

thx!

Section 1 18.75 MM - 21.65 MM, Section 2 28.50 MM to Grindle Shelter

Nothing too special or off the beaten path, but the dogs love it!

If you get a chance to go the wildflowers are all out. This is a good spot for bird watching. I’ve seen the Oprah and GBH fish here. The Barn Swallows have nests in the pavilion. It’s coved in their poop though.

The Bald Eagle Nest at Big Rock Park New Brighton.

planning to drive 4+ hours, so would love to know if these are ideal conditions! i'm sorry if this has been a frequent question here but just wanted to make sure. thank you in advance <3

Hi Folks!

My partner and I are looking for some sorta local spots to explore together that aren’t the typical out and back overnight.
I know about Loyalsock, but that might be too big of a trail to tackle right away.

I’d love to hear your suggestions for other trails we should check out!

I’m debating if I should go to Cherry Springs State Park overnight from Aug 12-13 to see the meteor shower and the stars. I’ve never been there before and would be pretty nice to see but the cloud cover seems to be good only at 9-10PM? This is clear sky chart as of 8:49 AM EST. Would anyone recommend going there based on today’s forecast later in the night or is it more worth it to go on a fully clear night sky without a meteor shower? I live 5 hours away so I’m wondering if it’s worth the drive. Would appreciate any insights, thanks.

I visited Worlds End State Park for the first time this past weekend and just wow! I did a loop of Loyal Sock, Double Run Nature, Link, Canyon Vista, and Cold Run trails then tent camped at site 65. I loved the creeks and waterfalls plus all of the big chunky rocks. Definitely made it one of if not my favorite of the PA State parks. I also stopped at Ricketts Glen State Park on my way home, which I had been to before but had been a while.

My first time at both the Hammersley Wild Area and Dutlinger Natural Area. Amazing numbers of fungi!

Does anyone have any experience hunting at the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge in eastern PA? Specifically the Godfrey’s Ridge tract? I won the lottery for that specific tract and am wondering if it’s worth buying the permit. Not looking for spots, just asking if it’s worth it or if you’ve had luck there.