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PA State Parks Guide: The Keystone State's Top 15 Parks | Woodloch

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The Top 15 State Parks in Pennsylvania

Families visit Woodloch from all over the globe. However, most reside in the Northeastern United States, namely Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware. Because we’re within five to six hours from many of the nation’s largest cities, a lot of families travel the good old-fashioned way: road trip! Naturally, road trips include various breaks at wayside rest stops, grab-and-go eateries, unique boutiques, and, of course, natural attractions, including some of the prettiest state parks in Pennsylvania.

15 State Parks in Pennsylvania: From Ohiopyle to Promised Land

In hopes of enhancing your upcoming winter escape into the Pocono Mountains, we’ve compiled 15 of our favorite state parks in Pennsylvania. A large portion of these sprawling, undeniably picturesque natural wonders are within 90 minutes of Woodloch, including Promised Land, Hickory Run, and Lehigh Gorge. If you’re looking for a little pre- or post-vacay fun, we promise that these 15 green spaces will plant smiles on your children’s faces.

1. Hickory Run State Park

Location: White Haven, PA
Acres: 15,990
Defining features: Boulder Field (as pictured), Hawk Falls, Sand Spring Lake
Best trail: Shades of Death

2. Ricketts Glen State Park

Location: Benton, PA
Acres: 13,193
Defining features: Ricketts Glen Falls, Lake Jean, Grand View Fire Tower
Best trail: Ricketts Glen Falls Loop

3. Ohiopyle State Park

Location: Ohiopyle, PA
Acres: 20,500
Defining features: Ohiopyle Falls, Baughman Rock Overlook, Ferncliff Peninsula
Best trail: Laurel Highlands

4. Trough Creek State Park

Location: James Creek, PA
Acres: 541
Defining features: Balanced Rock, Great Trough Creek, Suspension Bridge
Best trail: Copperas and Balanced Rock Loop

5. Kinzua Bridge State Park

Location: Kane, PA
Acres: 339
Defining feature: Kinzua Bridge (as pictured)
Best trail: Kinzua Bridge

6. Lehigh Gorge State Park

Location: White Haven, PA
Acres: 6,107
Defining features: Lehigh Canal, Cave Falls
Best trail: Cave Falls and Ketchel’s Tooth

7. Hyner View State Park

Location: Hyner, PA 
Acres: 6
Defining feature: Hyner View Overlook
Best trail: Hyner View Overlook

8. Presque Isle State Park

Location: Erie, PA
Acres: 3,200
Defining features: Presque Isle Lighthouse, Presque Isle Beach, Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Best trail: Presque Isle Multi-Purpose

9. Cook Forest State Park

Location: Cooksburg, PA
Acres: 8,500
Defining features: Sawmill Center for the Arts, Historic Fire Tower #9, Seneca Point Overlook
Best trail: Forest Cathedral

10. Leonard Harrison State Park

Location: Wellsboro, PA
Acres: 585
Defining features: Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, Turkey Path’s waterfalls
Best trail: Turkey Path

11. Worlds End State Park

Location: Forksville, PA
Acres: 780
Defining features: Loyalsock State Forest, Loyalsock Canyon Vista (as pictured), 21-mile Nordic ski trail network
Best trail: Canyon Vista

12. French Creek State Park

Location: Elverson, PA
Acres: 7,730
Defining features: Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Hopewell Fire Tower, Hopewell Lake
Best trail: Boone Trail Loop

13. Promised Land State Park

Location: Greentown, PA
Acres: 3,000
Defining features: Promised Land Lake, Masker Museum, Little Falls
Best trail: Little Falls

14. Raccoon Creek State Park

Location: Hookstown, PA
Acres: 7,572
Defining features: Raccoon Lake, Wildflower Reserve, Frankfort Mineral Springs
Best trail: Wildflower Reserve

15. Nockamixon State Park

Location: Quakertown, PA
Acres: 5,286
Defining features: Lake Nockamixon, Dam Falls, 10 miles of mountain bike trails
Best trail: Old Mill

All-Inclusive Poconos Vacation Packages

Woodloch remains the ultimate Poconos winter resort, as our all-inclusive packages include lodging, three meals daily, nightly entertainment, 30-plus daily homegrown activities, and some of the warmest hospitality on the continent. Mid-winter activities include ice skating, snow tubing, go-karting, archery tag, snowshoeing, and, of course, the Winter Olympics. To learn more about our award-winning, family-owned resort, please visit our homepage. And, when you’re ready to make a reservation, simply click the Book Now button.

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3 Spots to Hike this Summer Season | Woodloch Resort | Resorts Near Me

Woodloch’s Blog

Keep up-to-date with all things Woodloch on our blog featuring exclusive recipes, heartwarming stories, lifestyle content, contests and more.

3 Spots to Hike this Summer Season

When you’re not making birdie at Woodloch Springs, indulging in a deep-tissue massage at The Lodge at Woodloch, or soaking in one of our refreshing pools, perhaps a nearby hiking trip will awake the adventurer deep inside. There are a microscopic amount of reasons to leave the grounds at Woodloch Resort. The serene surrounding nature is one reason. Check out these three hiking locales on your next trip to the premiere Poconos resort.

Bushkill Falls

Bushkill Falls is “the Niagara of Pennsylvania.” Bushkill’s incredible onsite hiking trails are what set it apart from most North American waterfalls. With four paths to choose from, hiking enthusiasts of all ages can experience this marvelous park. There are six waterfalls, all of which are visible from the Red Trail. This trek takes 2 ½ hours to finish so double-knot your hiking boots and bring plenty of water. The Main Falls on Little Bushkill Creek rushes with authority, but you can walk into Pond Run Creek and get a picture next to Bridal Veil Falls and Bridesmaid’s Falls. If you’re going to pick one area hiking locale, Bushkill Falls is the choice.

Promised Land State Park

Deep inside the Delaware State Forest, you will find the Promised Land. This natural paradise, sitting at 1,800 feet above sea level, is home to some of the best hiking trails in Pennsylvania. Conservation Island Trail is a must at Promised Land State Park. Take the loop around the island in the middle of Promised Land Lake to experience the park panoramically. Little Falls Trail is home to a small but stunning waterfall deep in the forest. Rock Oak Trail is for avid hikers looking for a half-day trip through marvelously tall red oaks.

Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary

Check out Dorflinger for a beautiful change of pace. Also home to the fascinating Dorflinger Glass Museum and the Wildflower Music Festival, this unique estate has nearly 600 acres of preserved wildlife and pristine hiking trails. Running Deer Trail has unobstructed views of the tranquil Suydam Pond, while Blue Heron Trail circles the aptly-named Trout Lake. There are over four miles of paths, and each one is beginner-friendly.

When your hiking trip is complete, head back to your comfortable Deluxe Lakeview accommodation for a refreshing beverage on your private porch. Then swing over to The TREE Restaurant & Bar before the kitchen closes. Savor a three-course meal and a glass of award-winning regional wine under elegant chandeliers. Woodloch eagerly awaits your arrival!

Filed Under: Summer, Travel Tagged With: ,

Horseback Riding in the Poconos: Giddy Up! | Woodloch Resort

Woodloch’s Blog

Keep up-to-date with all things Woodloch on our blog featuring exclusive recipes, heartwarming stories, lifestyle content, contests and more.

Giddy-Up! Horseback Riding in the Poconos

We’re not the least bit shy to let the world know that we’re proud Pennsylvanians. After all, Pennsylvania is the birthplace of “The Great American Chocolate Bar” as well as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. On top of that, we cannot speak highly enough of the state’s natural beauty. Clean lakes, bubbling streams, lush forests, and even open fields provide an excellent landscape for almost every outdoor activity imaginable . . . including horseback riding. While horseback riding in the Poconos isn’t quite as popular as hiking, fishing, and skiing, nothing surpasses a scenic, two-hour tour atop a majestic, well-trained horse.

Once Upon a Time: Pocono Horse Riding at Woodloch

Many moons ago, Woodloch Resort actually offered horseback riding in the Poconos right here on our expansive, 300-acre property. The horses were leased for the summer season and boarded right on campus. One of Woodloch’s owners, Steve Kiesendahl, who was just a young whipper-snapper at the time, taught our guests how to ride and led them all around the property on his pet horse, “Trigger.” Many great times were had, but the riding ended when Woodloch started to expand rapidly. Naturally, guests have inquired about the prospects of riding once again amidst the region’s sprawling mountain range.

Horseback Riding in the Poconos: A Special Experience

Our all-inclusive packages include an overnight accommodations, family-style dining, nightly live entertainment, and, of course, over 30 homegrown activities. But that shouldn’t deter you from taking a detour to Triple W Riding Stable before or after your stay for some of the most breathtaking horseback riding in the Poconos so that you can explore the glorious Pocono Mountains atop a beautiful horse this winter.

Horse Stables near Me: Triple W Riding Stable

The folks at Triple W Riding Stable have been guiding travelers and animal lovers through the serene Pocono Mountains for decades. With so much experience under their belts, they now offer three different types of tours that vary in length and location. Guided trips through dense forestry, wide-open hillsides, and secluded waterways range from one to two hours long. Although horseback riding in PA is strictly geared for ages seven and up, Triple W offers pony rides for little cowboys and girls. The accessibility from the resort makes it easy to include a stop at Triple W during your vacation, regardless of the season. So fasten your chaps, lace-up your boots, and be ready to explore the wild of Pennsylvania, the old-fashioned way! Of course, when you’re not on horseback in the Poconos, we recommend spending as much time as possible right here at our historic family resort.

Woodloch’s Petting Zoo and Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

If you were to search online for “riding stables near me” during your next visit to the top-rated family resort in the U.S., you’d likely stumble upon Triple W. But don’t forget that we also provide a petting zoo and horse-drawn carriage rides right here at Woodloch Resort. To learn more about horseback trail riding in PA or our countless on-site amenities, please give us a call today at 1-800-966-3562.

Filed Under: Summer, Uncategorized Tagged With:

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