Bucknellians often forget about the beautiful landscapes available to us in the middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania, especially during the Fall. The Susquehanna Valley offers numerous state parks and scenic overviews. Yet, students are either too busy stressing out in the library or too relaxed in a yard downtown. Going on a hike is the ideal way to rejuvenate yourself, exercise, and spend quality time with your friends. Whether you want to distance yourself from your obsession with your phone or take a #nature Instagram, going on a hike is the perfect way to spend your Sunday! So break out of the Bucknell bubble! Grab your leggings, sneakers, and water bottle to enjoy Her Campus Bucknell’s top hiking spots!
1. R.B. Winter State Park
Location: 17215 Buffalo Rd, Mifflinburg, PA 17844. Open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Phone #: (570) 966-1455
R.B. Winter is located within Bald Eagle State Forest. Halfway Lake serves as the focal point of the park, with reflects the abundance of red, orange, and yellow trees surrounding the lake. It even includes a hand-laid, native sandstone dam. It includes 6.3 miles of trails with a variety of terrains, yet only a few short stretches of steep inclines. It is a short 13 minute drive from campus!
2. Ricketts Glen State Park
Location: 695 S.R. 487, Benton, PA 17814. Park Hours: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Phone #: (570) 477-5675
Rickkets Glen is one of the largest public parks in PA and known as one of the most scenic areas. It is home to the Glens Natural Area, which is a National Natural Landmark. Although it is an hour and 10 minute drive, it is totally worth it! The full loop of the park is 7.2 miles. We highly recommend the Falls Trail which runs for 3.2 miles of mountainous terrain. The trail includes sights of 18 of the 22 cascading waterfalls.
3. Worlds End State Park
Location: 82 Cabin Bridge Rd, Forksville, PA 18616. Park Hours: sunrise to sunset. Phone #: (888) 727-2757
Worlds End is extremely photogenic with a pristine environment. If you go, be sure to try the 4-mile loop, the Canyon Vista Trail! It has a breathtaking view of the Loyalsock Creek Gorge. Wildflowers grow beneath the canopy. Be sure to check out the Rock Garden adjacent to the vista. It is an hour and 10 minutes away from Bucknell.
4. Shikellamy State Park
Location: Shikellamy State Park Rd, Selinsgrove, PA 17870. Park hours: 6AM-8PM Phone #: (570) 988-5557
Shikellamy offers spectacular views of Sunbury, Northumberland, and the surrounding areas. The marina, Kury Point, provides a beautiful scenic view of Lake Augusta and the river. It has 3 miles of trails including a 1.7 mile natural trail revealing a wide array of wildlife and a 1.5 mile paved trail encircling the southern tip of Packers Island. It is a 22 minute drive from campus!
5. Pine Creek Gorge
Location: 4797 Rt. 660, Wellsboro, PA. Phone #: (570) 724-3061
Pine Creek is also known as the PA Grand Canyon. Even though it is an hour away from Bucknell, it received the title of “Best Hike in Pennsylvania” from Outside Magazine. It offers multiple National Natural Landmarks, including Colton Point and Leonard Harrison State Parks. We highly recommend the West Rim Trail that offers amazing foliage and scenic views.
May the forest by with you! Go on a mini-vacation away from Bucknell. Be sure to take in the beautiful scenery of Fall by visiting these hiking trails with your friends!