Scotia was the scene of iron ore mining from the late 1700s to the 1940s, supplying ore to Centre County’s early iron furnaces and, years later, to Andrew Carnegie’s Pittsburgh steel mills.The iron pits are part of a larger area now known as the Scotia Barrens, covering parts of Half Moon, Patton, and Ferguson townships.
The Allegheny Front Trail is a 42-mile loop through Moshannon State Forest that roughly encircles Black Moshannon State Park. Completed by volunteers in the 1990s, it is the longest hiking trail entirely within Centre County.
Mount Nittany is probably Centre County’s most famous geographical feature. Thanks to the Penn State football team, fans across the country are familiar with the name of the iconic ridge. As a result, Mount Nittany has become an integral part of the lore of the school and region.
The Mid State Trail is a 327-mile hiking trail that runs from the border of Maryland in Bedford County to the border of New York in Tioga County. Marked with rectangular orange blazes, many miles of the trail pass through the southern and eastern parts of Centre County. The trail originated in the late 1960s, […]
Penn’s Cave near Centre Hall is a natural limestone cave that has been a popular tourist attraction for more than 130 years. Visitors tour the 1,300-foot-long, water-filled cave by flat-bottom boats. Some of the stalactites and stalagmites appear to resemble sculptures such as the Statue of Liberty and natural landmarks like the Rock of Gibraltar […]
Bald Eagle State Park is a 5,900-acre recreation and wildlife area in the Bald Eagle Valley of Centre County. It opened in 1971 and is known for its popular lake, which is surrounded by forests, wetlands, and fields. The park is named for the Lenape chief, Woapalanne, which means “bald eagle.” Chief Woapalanne lived in […]
Colyer Lake, created in 1966 by damming Sinking Creek, gave Centre County residents more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors on the water and in the woods. The 77-acre impoundment in Potter Township has become a centerpiece for fishing, boating, hiking, and observing wildlife.
Black Moshannon State Park is a 3,394-acre park that conserves a unique natural environment surrounding Black Moshannon Lake. The park, was established in 1937 after the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a dam, log cabins, picnic pavilions, and trails.
Spring Creek Canyon is an 1,800-acre recreation area in Benner Township popular for fly-fishing, hiking, bicycling, and hunting. The six miles of trout stream within its boundaries are a destination for fishermen from around the world.
Rothrock State Forest is a 96,250-acre forest that spreads over Centre, Huntingdon, and Mifflin counties. Numerous recreation activities are available, including hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, and hunting. The forest is named named for Dr. Joseph Trimble Rothrock, a native of Mifflin County and the first commissioner of the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, the […]