How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds

Visit the Pennsylvania Wilds this winter to spend the day exploring and then the evening warming up indoors. 

The Pennsylvania Wilds is a beautiful, largely rural region across central Pennsylvania that becomes a winter wonderland in the cold season. Though the population of the Wilds is small, there are numerous things to do across the 13 counties that cover the northern center of the commonwealth and make up the Pa. Wilds.

We’ve put together some ideas to help you plan the perfect winter’s day in this gorgeous hidden gem of a region.

Morning: Embrace the snow (or the chill)!

If it’s winter in the Pennsylvania Wilds, there’s a good chance there will be some snow on the ground. And if so, you should take advantage of it. There are a number of activities you can pursue to enjoy the snow, like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, both of which are great for beginners. Unlike downhill skiing, cross-country skiing doesn’t require lessons to ensure that you don’t run into a tree—you just need the right gear that you can rent at outfitters like Mudbeard’s Bikes and Boards in Elk County’s Ridgway. And snowshoeing might be a workout, but the theory behind it is simple: you’re walking in the snow!

You can cross-country ski or snowshoe in several locations in the Pa. Wilds—many times, if there is snow and there are trails, you can likely cross-country ski or snowshoe. But if you’d rather have a groomed trail, you can find groomed cross-country ski trails at Parker Dam State Park, Chapman State Park, Ole Bull State Park, Denton Hill State Park, and Cook Forest State Park.

If there’s no snow on the ground, you can still enjoy a peaceful hike in the winter stillness. This is where the Pennsylvania Wilds shines, for nearly any hike you take in this remote region will give you a respite into nature. Kettle Creek State Park, located near Renovo in Clinton County, is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains near Sproul State Forest. Check out the hiking trails in the park, like the Bearfield Road Trail and the Wallow Loop Trail.

You might also want to explore the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, in winter. While many areas of the gorge, including trails, might be inaccessible due to ice or snow, Leonard Harrison State Park is open throughout the winter, so you can at least walk the plowed roads and enjoy the views of the gorge.

Photo courtesy of Nicholas T./CC BY 2.0.

Lunch: Enjoy a charming eatery

After your outdoor excursion, you’ve certainly earned a sit-down lunch in one of the Pennsylvania Wilds’ charming small towns. With 13 counties within the region, you have options, but we’ll recommend Centre County’s Bellefonte or Tioga County’s Wellsboro.

In Bellefonte, head to URBN Flavourhaus, a unique and well-loved coffee shop with a full lunch menu featuring burgers and milkshakes. In Wellsboro, you might try The Roost, which serves craft beer and modern pub food (think unique burgers, sandwiches, and shareables) in a cozy setting along Main Street.

Afternoon: Explore Main Street

After lunch, explore small-town Pennsylvania. You can visit unique shops and businesses (getting a respite from the cold), enjoy a warming cup of coffee or tea, and admire historic architecture.

In Wellsboro, you can get coffee at the cute Arise Cafe, visit one of the last family-owned department stores at Dunham’s, and check out the Arcadia Theatre—which first opened in 1921—to see what’s playing.

Quaint Bellefonte, found just north of the college town of State College, is home to distinctive Victorian-era architecture that you can admire via a self-guided walking tour. If it’s too cold to spend any more time outdoors, seek refuge at the Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County for a taste of Pa. Wilds culture.

Photo courtesy of Scottb211/CC BY 2.0.

Dinner: Have a big-time dinner in small-town Pa.

Though it is far from major cities, the Pennsylvania Wilds is home to wonderful restaurants serving creative and mouthwatering food.

The Gateway Lodge, located within Cook Forest State Park in Cooksburg, serves exceptional farm-to-table food in its restaurant, like crepes made with hen of the woods mushrooms and pierogies made with wild boar sausage. Desserts like the pecan pie and German raw apple cake are made from scratch.

On the other side of the Pennsylvania Wilds, Lycoming County’s Foxburg features the Allegheny Grille, a waterfront restaurant with incredible views of the Allegheny River. While you probably can’t eat on the patio in winter, the restaurant’s massive windows ensure you feel like you’re in nature—except you’re warm! The long menu includes American favorites plus dishes inspired by Italian cuisine. 

Evening: Stargaze and relax

If your Pennsylvania Wilds adventure is near Potter County, you can head to Coudersport to view some of the darkest skies in the eastern U.S. at Cherry Springs State Park, an International Dark Sky Park. When you visit the park’s Night Sky Public Viewing Area, you’ll be treated to an after-dinner show of the astronomical variety, as you can see thousands of stars and often even the Milky Way. 

If you’re staying the night in the Pa. Wilds, this would be the perfect time to head back to your hotel and spend some time in the hot tub—what hot tub, you ask? Consider this your recommendation to look at rooms or rentals with access to a hot tub, so that you can beat the cold while still admiring the scenery around you! For example, Deer Creek Winery in Clarion County’s Shippenville has several guest rooms with hot tubs.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.