Here’s The Ultimate Bucket List For Pennsylvanians Who Are Obsessed With Nature

Okay, nature lovers, today’s all about you and exploring some of the most beautiful places in nature in all corners of our beautiful state. Those of us who have lived here for any amount of time would probably agree that Pennsylvania is something of a paradise for nature lovers. After all, we’ve got a ton of state parks (121, to be exact), local parks, and natural wonders dotting the state. Here are just nine that you might want to add, if you haven’t already, to your nature bucket list in Pennsylvania.

All Trails/Brian Melcher

Slip on your hiking shoes when you visit Seven Tubs Nature Area. You’ll follow a picturesque trail that clocks in at just under two miles. Bring your camera, because you’ll definitely want to snap plenty of photos of the natural tubs and tiny waterfalls that dot the trail.

Facebook/Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park

Explore the only all-water cave in the United States when you visit Penn’s Cave. You’ll climb aboard a boat for a guided tour of the cave. Once your tour is over, you’ll find a full menu of activities above ground. Join an off-road Jeep tour, for example, or go gem mining.

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

For sheer natural beauty and stunning views from three scenic vistas, plan a visit to Rider Park. The cozy state park spans 867 lush acres. Exploring the park is easy, especially if you enjoy hiking. Set off on the 3.5-mile Chery’s Trail, for example, which will lead you into the forest.

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Perhaps better known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, Pine Creek Gorge is a must on any nature bucket list. View the massive gorge from Leonard Harrison State Park or Colton Point State Park. Both parks feature scenic vistas and hiking trails, providing stunning views of the gorge that spans 50 miles and measures 1,000 feet deep.

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Flickr/Jeff Moore

If you love waterfalls, you’ll probably think Ricketts Glen State Park is paradise. It, after all, is home to 21 named waterfalls, and you can see all of them on the nearly eight-mile Falls Trail. (Just be prepared for a challenge.) The park also features a beautiful sand beach, an abundance of wildlife, and Lake Jean, the perfect setting for a day of kayaking or boating.

Flickr/Jon Wood

For some of the best views of the nighttime sky, make your way to Cherry Springs State Park. It boasts the darkest skies (with the least light pollution) on the Eastern Seaboard. The park features a viewing space for amateurs and for pros. Seasoned astronomers can stay the entire night at the Astronomy Observation Field, which features electricity.

FourSquare/Brooklyn C.

Bring your hammer along when you head over to Ringing Rocks Park, where you’ll find a boulder field of musical rocks. That’s right. Gently tap the boulders with a hammer and listen to the melody they make. (Be forewarned that rocks are not to be taken from the boulder field. Even if you do swipe one, it won’t make music unless it’s with the other rocks.)

Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

If you’re a fan of remote spots, you’re absolutely going to love Hammersley Wild Area. The wild area, in fact, is the most remote spot in Pennsylvania. Motor vehicles aren’t even allowed in the natural area. Follow one of the hiking trails, such as the Twin Sisters Trail, for sensational scenic vistas and quiet time among nature.

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Ohiopyle State Park’s brimming with natural wonders – from Cucumber Falls, Ohiopyle Falls, and Jonathan Run Falls to Meadow Run Natural Water Slide. You can explore the massive park, which spans more than 20,000 acres, on foot, by bike, or even on horseback in some spots.

What else would you add to the ultimate nature bucket list in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! If you’re a big fan of waterfalls, you’ll probably also want to add these waterfall hikes in Pennsylvania to your bucket list, too.