Start 2023 outdoors
A Woman In The Wilds.
As we sweat our way through Summer, then sweater-up for Fall, each passing day, and each layer we add to our wardrobe is a reminder that winter is creeping closer. For some– the skiers, the snowboarders, the kids itching for an extra day or two off of school– it’s a reason to jump for joy. For others, it’s a reason to be bitter, or at least bitter-cold, and to prepare for a long stretch of time indoors.
But a Pennsylvania winter doesn’t have to sentence you to three months on the couch. In fact, winter in Pennsylvania, more specifically, winter in Bellefonte, is awesome.
Hear me out.
In my frosty, Northeast heart, I truly believe the key to enjoying the coldest months of the year is giving them a distinct purpose. Finding an activity that just hits differently with a chill in the air… or is literally impossible to do unless it’s cold or snowy.
The easiest example? Skiing or snowboarding. They’re not exactly summertime activities, which makes it all the more exciting when, after months of anticipation, you can finally bundle up and hit the slopes.
No skis? No snowboard? No problem. Luckily for you, you live in an outdoor-person’s paradise. The state of Pennsylvania is home to 124 State Parks, which tally more than 300,000 acres of land. Nearly every county in the state is home to one or more of those State Parks. That means you don’t have to go far to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s gorgeous gateways to nature.
In Bellefonte, the closest State Park is just 12.7 miles away or about 16 minutes in the car– less time than it would take to listen to ¼ of Taylor Swift’s Midnights (3AM Edition) album. No judgment if T-Swift isn’t your speed. I’m just saying, it’s a really short drive.
Better yet, Bald Eagle State Park won’t give you an excuse to stay home. The park itself is 5,900 acres, and with that much space, the options for all-season outdoor entertainment are vast.If you’re more of a land-dweller, you can hike, hunt, picnic, camp, cross-country ski, and sled. Year-round activities that will allow you to get outside and breathe some fresh air, even when your breath becomes visible. The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle even has rental skis and snowshoes available.
Personally, I love spending time on the trails– nothing helps to clear my head like a quiet walk in the woods. If you feel the same way and want an easy winter adventure, you can hop on the 2.0-mile Skyline Trail. The trail style is out-and-back, and will give you plenty to look at as you meander through the white oak and hawthorn trees.
If you want to add to your step-count, you can easily jump from the Skyline Trail to the Butterfly Trail, a 1.5-mile out-and-back path. Both trails are convenient for walking or snowshoeing, and the Butterfly Trail is recommended for cross-country skiing. Considering the area sees an average of roughly 40” of snow each year, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to switch up your winter routine!
If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can take a crack at the 5.6-mile Lakeside Trail. This loop trail, which begins at the Bald Eagle Launch Access Area, will take you between the lake and the railroad– the perfect path for a view of Bald Eagle Mountain. Chances are, you’ll also catch a glimpse (or hear the melodies) of song sparrows, finches, and cardinals along the way as well.
Maybe being land-locked isn’t for you. Maybe you’re looking for something a little different to float your boat. That’s just fine! Sitting on the north shore of the lake, Bald Eagle boasts its Winter Launch– an ADA accessible boat launch that’s open 24/7, 365. The launch even has a fishing pier for anyone who does prefer to stay ashore. With this type of all-season accessibility, it’s not a wonder that boating and fishing are two of the most popular activities in the park. It also doesn’t hurt that, even in winter, 630 acres of the 1,730-acre lake are usable. That’s a lot of space to enjoy the water– frozen or not.
Of course, when we’re talking about freezing, and fishing in the winter, ice-fishing is bound to enter the conversation. If that’s the wintry lane you want to stay in, just make sure you’re taking safety into account. Don’t venture out on the ice alone, and test the ice before you settle in. Four inches is the minimum thickness recommended by the DCNR for a single person. On the other hand, if the only fish you’re interested in seeing are in a tank in your living room, you can ditch the pole, and lace up your skates when the ice on the lake is thick. The same safety rules apply!
Whichever activity you choose, put the effort in to make it as enjoyable as possible. Make it winter-wonderful so you can’t wait to come back and do it all again. Make a piping-hot cup of tea or coffee, throw it in a to-go tumbler, and enjoy it while you walk the trails, or sitting by your ice fishing hole. Wear your favorite winter boots to trudge through the snow. Heck, even throw some snowballs, or make a snow angel. Make those seasonal memories that we, as residents of a true four-season town, are lucky enough to create.
