Author: Cecilia

Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park is c20,500 acres of “rugged natural beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Highlands….”  The Youghiogheny River Gorge passes through the center if the park.
Phone 724-329-8591.   Here is the Park website.   Brochure     Map
 Youghiogheny River Trail: 27 miles, is part of the150 mile Great Allegheny Passage .
“From the Ramcat Launch Area and Trailhead Parking Area on the east side of the park, the trail descends at a one percent downhill grade to the Train Station/Visitor’s Center parking lot in the town of Ohiopyle. From the Train Station/Visitor’s Center in the town of Ohiopyle, the 17 miles of trail crosses the river twice and descends at a three percent grade to Connellsville. Parking is available in Connellsville in lots on Third Street and in the Yough River Park.

Neshaminy State Park 
Neshaminy State Park is along the Delaware River in lower Bucks County.
215-639-4538 Here is the Park website.   Brochure
Logan Walk 0.57 miles: “This is the original drive to the former Robert Logan Home, which has been removed. The tree-lined walk is used by visitors for numerous recreational activities and serves as a park service road. The walk is paved and ADA accessible.”
East Walk 0.17 mi. and part of West Walk

Eagles Forest Trail 0.4 miles

River Walk Trail (0.92 mile) Oak Lane (0.22 mile), Locust Lane (0.58 mile), Beaver Lane (0.29 mile), and Buck Alley (0.26 mile) trails are all described as “easiest walking”.

Norristown Farm Park
“One of the most unique parks in the Pennsylvania state park system, Norristown Farm Park is a working farm in continuous use since colonial times.”
Here is the Park website.  Brochure  Phone: 610-270-0215  Map
 “There are eight miles of trails throughout the park. Most trails are paved and used for walking, rollerblading and bicycling.  …All paved trails can be accessed by wheelchairs. Some trails have hills that could impact wheelchair use. Check the contours on the map to determine changes in elevation and your ability to maneuver these grades. ”

Kings Gap Environmental Education Center
“Kings Gap consists of 2,531 acres of forest on South Mountain, with more than 20 miles of hiking trails, a permanent orienteering course, picnicking, hunting, and other recreational and educational opportunities.”  
Phone 717-486-5031.  Here is the Center’s website.   Map   Brochure   
Whispering Pines Trail: 0.3 mile, paved, “This ADA accessible trail loops through the interior of the pine plantation.”
White Oaks Trail: 0.3 mile, paved,”This ADA accessible loop trail has exhibits to interpret the ecology of a deciduous white oak forest.”
In addition to the wheelchair accessible trails noted above there are several trail described in the brochure as “easiest” hiking.

Jennings Environmental Education Center
The Center is “…dedicated to providing environmental education and interpretation to the community. …   One of the park’s main features, the 20-acre prairie ecosystem, is home to distinctive prairie plants and the endangered massasauga rattlesnake.”  “Jennings offers many hiking opportunities that traverse varying terrain and diverse habitats. Visitors may walk through over 300 acres of forest and prairie. “
Phone  724-794-6011   Here is the Center’s website.  Brochure   Map  
The park’s brochure describes 13 “easiest hiking” trails which might suit you.  Call ahead to be sure.
? Woodwhisper Trail: 0.16 mile, “Popular with people with strollers, this paved, flat loop travels through an upland, mixed hardwood forest.” Not listed as ADA, but call to find out if it will accommodate a wheelchair.

Gifford Pinchot State Park
2,338-acre Gifford Pinchot State Park is in northern York County.  ” The park consists of reverting farm fields and wooded hillsides with the 340-acre Pinchot Lake serving as a prime attraction.”
Phone 717-432-5011   Here is the Park website.  Map   Brochure  
Alpine Trail 0.5 mile, “This wide, flat trail has a gravel surface. Alpine Trail has an outstanding crop of wildflowers in April and May, with bluebells and marsh marigolds. The trail begins on the east side of Conewago Day Use Area.”
Oak Trail  0.4 mile, “This short trail connects the campground to the interpretive center at the western end of the Conewago Day Use Area. The trail is gently rolling and wide with a gravel surface. The trail passes through a maturing oak and hickory forest and past a large diabase rock outcropping near the interpretive center. This trail connects with Gravel and Lakeside trails.
Gravel Trail 1.2 miles, “This trail runs through second growth forest from the campground to the area of the boat rental at the eastern end of the Conewago Day Use Area. This wide trail follows an old woods road and has a gravel surface. ”

Cowans Gap State Park
1.085 acre Cowans Gap State Park is in the Allens Valley of Fulton County.  It contains a 42-acre lake and is surrounded by Buchanan State Forest.
Phone: 717-485-3948 Here is the Park website.   Brochure    Map    
Lakeside Trail: 1.5 miles, “This very pleasant, nearly level, scenic trail encircles Cowans Gap Lake. This is the most popular trail in the park. ”  Call ahead to be sure this easy-sounding trail is all right for you.

Black Moshannon State Park
“Black Moshannon State Park covers 3,394 acres of forests and wetlands and conserves unique, natural environments.” It is surrounded by Moshannon State Forest.
Here is their website.  Phone: 814-342-5960  Brochure   Map
Bog Trail is “0.3 mile, 0.5 mile full loop, …….Take the boardwalk to explore a wetland dominated by sphagnum moss and leatherleaf, and accented by sedges, rushes, carnivorous plants and lilies. Observe waterfowl and other wildlife along the trail. Wayside panels tell the surprising story of bogs and other park wetlands. Access for people with disabilities is at Boating Area #3.”

Cook Forest State Park
8,500-acre Cook Forest State Park in northwestern Pennsylvania., is known for its stands of old growth forest.  The park’s Forest Cathedral of towering white pines and hemlocks is a National Natural Landmark.  13 miles of the Clarion River flows through the Park.
Trails Here is the Park website.  Phone: 814-744-8407  Map   Brochure
Paved Trail: 0.17-mile, “This paved, ADA accessible loop trail is at the end of the water tower access road at the entrance of the Sawmill Center for the Arts. This trail winds through a mature hardwood forest which teams with wildlife like white-tailed deer, squirrel and chipmunk.”

Pennsylvania State Parks
Here are links  to all of the 119 State Parks in Pennsylvania.  Note that many trails are described as “Easiest”.   This means “elevation gain or loss is minimal, less than 5% slope, maximum 20% up to 100 feet.”  It does not guarantee the absence of roots  or rocks to trip you up.  Call ahead.
Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks website.   Phone 717-787-6640