Explore Bald Eagle State Park’s forests, fields, wetlands, streams and lake
The public is invited to join Centred Outdoors for free guided and informational hikes through the Bald Eagle State Park during the week of Aug. 13, where they can witness the park’s diverse geology and wildlife throughout its forests, fields, wetlands, streams and lake.
The guided hikes will be offered on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Thursday, Aug. 17 at 9 and 11 a.m. Registration is not required for any event hosted by Centred Outdoors, a program of ClearWater Conservancy.
The guided hikes on Sunday and Thursday will be 1 mile in length along a flat, even path, making them suitable for all ages. Expert guides will lead participants along the Butterfly Trail and connect with the Woapalanne Trail to form a loop.
A 30-minute drive from downtown State College, the state park is located at 149 Main Park Road, Howard, PA, and spans a total of 5,900 acres, featuring 14.5 miles of trails at varying difficulties, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.
The location’s 1,730-acre lake also “laps the flanks” of Bald Eagle Mountain and provides ample biodiversity perfect for sightseeing, according to the DCNR. During the summertime, the lake shoreline is home to wildlife like great blue herons, ring-necked ducks and snapping turtles. The park is also home to diverse bird populations throughout the year.
In addition, the state park offers campgrounds, picnic areas, boating, fishing and swimming.
Participants should wear sturdy shoes, like sneakers or hiking boots, and bring at least 32 oz. of water per adult. Younger participants can borrow a “Junior Naturalist” backpack at the welcome table that contains child-friendly binoculars and other items for exploring the natural world, such as a scavenger hunt and magnifying glass. Additional gear, such as trekking poles, daypacks and child-carrying backpacks, can be rented 48 hours before an outing at Centred Outdoors’ Gear Library.
Those in need of transportation to the event can make a reservation through Centred Outdoors’ van service, which offers transportation to the state park for the outings on Aug. 13 and 17 at 11 a.m. Transportation reservations are required, and can be made through the Centred Outdoors website on the Transportation Page.
Portions of the location, including access to boating on the lake and several pavilions, are ADA accessible, and more information can be found on the Bald Eagle State Park website.
Learn more about upcoming guided outings on Centred Outdoors’ Events Page on the website: www.centredoutdoors.org.
Grace Miller is a freelance writer for ClearWater Conservancy.
