Pennsylvania
Nature|Caves & Rock Formations

The Pennsylvania Cave Tour At Penn’s Cave That Belongs On Your Bucket List

Penn's Cave in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, offers a unique all-water cavern tour and additional outdoor adventures.

Published May 30, 2020

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

Got your bucket list handy? If not, you might want to grab it, because this Pennsylvania cave tour definitely belongs on it. Even if you've taken a tour of Penn's Cave before, you might want to stop by again as there's always something new to discover. The tour, however, is just the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable adventure.

As the only all-water cavern in the United States, Penn's Cave in Centre Hall definitely deserves a spot on your bucket list. It won't take you long to see why.

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Facebook/Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park

Climb into your assigned boat for the guided cave tour, which typically runs for 50 minutes. The tour is not handicap accessible, and you'll have to walk down (then up) nearly 50 stairs to reach the boat.

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Facebook/Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park

The temperature in the cave stays steady at 52 degrees Fahrenheit, so be sure to dress comfortably.

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Facebook/Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park

You may also get a bit wet during the tour from water than sometimes drips in the cavern.

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Facebook/Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park

Bring your camera along, so you can document your experience. Once your cave tour is over, your adventure can still continue with a....

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Cave Mountain Tour or the Farm-Nature-Wildlife Tour. You'll explore, with a guide, the cave mountain in an off-road Jeep. The tour runs two hours long.

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Facebook/Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park

If you love animals, you'll definitely want to set off on the guided Farm-Nature-Wildlife Tour. You'll be on a bus for the 90-minute tour that will take you to some of Penn Cave's 1,600 acres, where a variety of animals live.

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Facebook/Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park

You can also do a little gem mining or try to escape a life-sized maze after your tours. Tickets for all of the tours must be purchased at the Visitors Center.

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Facebook/Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park

Penn's Cave Visitor Center and Gift Shop are currently open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masks are required in the Visitors Center and during the cave tour.

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Facebook/Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park

Click here for the official website of Penn's Cave. Or, go here for Facebook.

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Facebook/Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park

Have you been on this Pennsylvania cave tour? What did you like best about it? Share your experience in the comments! You might also want to consider adding the largest outdoor pool in PA to your bucket list.

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Nature|Caves & Rock Formations

The One Place In Pennsylvania That Looks Like Something From Middle Earth

Loyalsock State Forest in Pennsylvania offers a magical experience with lush greenery, towering trees, and numerous trails and vistas.

Updated Jun 5, 2024

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

We can step straight into a magical world of hobbits, elves, and good versus evil when we visit Loyalsock State Forest, one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania. Or, at least we can feel as though Merry, Pippin, Frodo, or Legolas might be traveling through the state forest, carpeted with lush green and protected by towering trees. Are you ready for a trip to Pennsylvania's very own Middle Earth (and, in some spots, the Shire)?

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Loyalsock State Forest spans more than 110,000 acres through three counties: Bradford, Lycoming, and Sullivan.

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Pennsylvania's Loyalsock State Forest is simply enchanting. But why take our word for it? Visit and see for yourself.

Regardless of where you travel through the majestic state forest, you'll find yourself surrounded by protective trees. A stream — Loyalsock Creek — meanders through most of the park.

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

The sprawling natural wonder lays claim to five breathtaking natural and wild areas. Kettle Creek Wild Area, one of them, spans more than 2,500 acres. It attracts campers who want an authentic, primitive camping experience.

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Explore the forest on horseback, by mountain bike, or on foot. With more than 200 miles of trails — both marked and unmarked — Loyalsock State Forest's trail system is a dream for hikers.

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Admire the vibrant wildflowers that line Jacoby Falls Trail, a spectacular hike that will lead you straight to the breathtaking waterfall.

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Cross footbridges along your journey, stopping to admire the views of the forest from one of the many vistas that dot the area. Canyon Vista, Bodine Mountain Vista, and Indian Trail Vista are among the popular overlooks.

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Prefer exploring by water? Climb into a kayak or a canoe for a leisurely ride down Loyalsock Creek.

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Enjoy a relaxing picnic at one of the waterfront picnic areas scattered through the forest. Bear Wallow Pond features a picnic pavilion.

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Journey to Middle Earth right here in Pennsylvania. Loyalsock State Forest is open daily from sunrise to sunset. (Camping is permitted.)

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Flickr/Karen Christine Hibbard

Have you been to Loyalstock State Forest? Do you agree that it's Pennsylvania's most beautiful forest? What other spots in Pennsylvania remind you of Middle Earth? Let us know in the comments! To feel as though you've stepped into a magical wardrobe, journey to Rothrock State Forest.

Ready to explore some more? Slip on your hiking shoes, and follow one of the best hiking trails in Pennsylvania. You can find them all on All Trails.

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Nature|Caves & Rock Formations

The Most Beautiful Canyon In America Is Right Here In Pennsylvania… And It Isn’t The Grand Canyon

Pine Creek Gorge, known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, offers breathtaking views and hiking trails, making it a must-visit natural wonder.

Updated Nov 16, 2023

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

Pennsylvania, it's probably fair to say, is synonymous with natural wonders - from the waterfalls at Bushkill Falls (dubbed the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania) to the dark sky over Cherry Springs State Park. It's also home to what might be the most beautiful canyon in America - Pine Creek Gorge. If you've never been, you'll probably want to add it to your bucket list. After all, this is one natural wonder that all Pennsylvanians should experience at least once.

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You've probably heard of the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania; that's Pine Creek Gorge, a natural wonder in Wellsboro that you really have to see to appreciate.

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With its massive measurements - nearly 50 miles long and approximately 1,450 feet deep - and scenic beauty, the canyon draws visitors from all over Pennsylvania and beyond.

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Michael Kelly / Google Reviews

For the best aerial views of the canyon, visit Leonard Harrison State Park or Colton Point State Park. Both offer scenic vistas with sweeping views of the gorge below.

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Boris Smola / Google Reviews

This is one of those natural attractions that is breathtaking in all four seasons. However, if you really want to be blown away, visit during the peak of the fall foliage.

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While the scenic vistas offer sensational views, you might want to do a bit more exploring, too. The canyon has several hiking trails, including the Turkey Path Trail at Leonard Harrison State Park.

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Be prepared for a challenging trek down to the canyon floor. You'll be rewarded with such natural beauty as gushing waterfalls.

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The two-mile trail is out and back, so you'll go down to the canyon floor and return to the top again.

One of the best ways to experience the bottom of Pine Creek Gorge is on an old-fashioned wagon ride with Ole Covered Wagons.

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Learn more on the Leonard Harrison State Park website or visit the Colton Point State Park website.

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One of our favorite natural wonders in Pennsylvania is the Pine Creek Gorge. Go on an adventure with Keystone Curiosity in this video talking about the "Grand Canyon in Pennsylvania:"

Do you agree that Pine Creek Gorge might be the most beautiful canyon in America? Let us know in the comments! After visiting the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, how about another adventure? You can't go wrong with a visit to the smallest state park in Pennsylvania.

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