Summer’s in full swing, so it’s peak time to get outside and enjoy Northeast PA’s great outdoors! Many regional organizations make it easy to find outside adventures close to home by offering trails, parks, gardens and events for all ages. The best part is - many activities listed are free or cost less than it does to go to the movies! Please call ahead for reservations and further information about these events.

Sullivan County
http://www.eaglesmere.org/emconservancy.html
The Eagles Mere Conservancy in Eagles Mere owns 373 acres of wooded mountain slopes, including 3 miles of trails. Set adjacent to state forest Lands, the trail system leads the way to Canyon Vista and High Knob Overlook. The Conservancy Cabin beside Outlet Pond on route 42 dates back to 1734 but now serves as the education center. Weekly hikes include views of waterfalls, streams, caves, historical sites and even berry picking! The Conservancy hosts programs about animal life, water pollution, snakes and bats.
570-525-3385

Susquehanna County
http://www.woodbourneforest.org/
Woodbourne Forest & Wildlife Sanctuary South of Montrose in Dimock Township features tracks of old growth hemlock and hardwood trees, wildflower meadows, hillsides, wetland, creeks, a pond and bog. Woodbourne’s over 600-acre property features over eight miles of trails with views of scenery and wildlife, a pavilion and 200 acres of old-growth forest - the largest tract of its kind in NEPA. Over 180 species of birds are at home within the sanctuary. To celebrate the preserve’s 50th anniversary in 2006, existing trails were rehabilitated and new trails were created.

Carbon County
http://www.carboneec.org/
The Carbon County Environmental Education Center is within a converted 1920 dairy barn set on nearly 70 acres of woodland, wetland and meadow habitat in Summit Hill within Mauch Chunk Lake Park. With nature trails, including an elevated boardwalk trail, butterfly and bird gardens, perennial gardens, a bird feeding station, pavilion and raptor mews (cages), classrooms, educational displays, environmental research and lending library and a wildlife rehabilitation hospital, the center holds plenty to explore! The center cares for 500-700 injurred and orphaned animals per year. Grounds are open to the public, free of charge, from dawn until dusk year round.
570-645-8597
Events:
Thumbs Up! July 6, 2 p.m. - Learn which animals have thumb, how they’re put to use, and enjoy light refreshments.
Wings Weekend July 19 & 20- at Back Mountain Butterflies outside of Jim Thorpe for games, crafts and live birds and butterflies!
Creepy Crawlers “Egg-stra Special” July 21, 10-11:30 am - for ages two-four.
Birding with Rob July 26, 1 p.m. – hike to find and identify summer songbirds and waterfowl.
Whitewater Rafting July 27, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – with Whitewater Rafting Adventures along the summer float section of the Lehigh River.

Lackawanna County
http://www.lrca.org/pages/conservancy/conserv.htm
Lackawanna River Corridor Association and Lackawanna Valley Conservancy partner to
promote the restoration and conservation of the Lackawanna River and natural spaces. Headquarters are one block north of Providence Square in Scranton in the 1840 residence of William Silkman, an influential community leader of his time. The conservancy maintains about 10 properties in Lackawanna and neighboring counties. The public is invited to responsibly enjoy these properties, and stewards and trail tenders are needed to “adopt” these properties to care for and enjoy them. Properties include Coxton Point Reserve in Duryea where the Susquehanna and Lackawanna Rivers meet, a half mile of riverbank behind the Silkman House, Taylor lands along the old gravity railroad, Boulevard Bend Preserve next to Boulevard Ave. Bridge in Throop, Carlton Hill Preserve on Park Street in Green Ridge, a trail near Carbondale Yards industrial park and the Powder Mill Dam Preserve in Jermyn which boasts interesting rock formations in the River.
570-347-6311
Events:
Antique Yard Sale & Home Tours August 23 - afternoon antique yard sale in the side yard of the Silkman House, plus evening tours of the house with refreshments.

Luzerne County
http://www.keystoneactivezone.com/consumer/counties/view.php?type=county&selected=23
And
http://www.wvwellnesstrails.org/
Luzerne County’s efforts with the Keystone Active Zone Passport program allow anyone to sign up for a passport and visit passport stops to earn prizes and be entered in a drawing for prizes like an overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge!
Wyoming Valley Wellness Trails were created to promote active living in areas along the Susquehanna River from Shickshinny to Pittston by continuing to create a regional trail network. Biking, hiking and walking trails include:
Kirby Park Trails
- Four miles of trials lead between the levee and the Susquehanna River off Market Street in Kingston.
Susquehanna Levee Trail - 14 miles of trails on both sides of the river are handicap accessible. Trailheads are at Forty-Fort County Recreation Park, Kingston Recreation Facility, Delaney St. in Hanover Township and off Powell St. in Plymouth Borough.
Back Mountain Trail
- Runs from Luzerne Borough to Carverton Rd. in Trucksville. Parking available at the Knights of Columbus Parking on Parry Street.
The Mocanaqua Loop Trail
- Four inter-connecting trails over 9 miles along Penobscot Mountain. This challenging trail provides spectacular views, and can be in Mocanaqua on the east side of the Susquehanna River from Rt. 11 and Shickshinny Borough.
Lehigh Gorge Trail
- 26-mile trail following an abandoned rail line adjacent to the Lehigh River from north of White Haven to Jim Thorpe.
Luzerne County National Recreation Trail
- 13 miles of rail trail along the east bank of the Susquehanna River between Wilkes-Barre and Old Forge for biking, fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation. It’s accessible from Pittston’s Riverfront Park on Water Street.
The Tubs Nature Area - 2 miles of trails with views of geological water features. Enter off PA 115 about 1.5 miles southeast of the Interstate 81 interchange.
823-7000
PHOTO CREDIT: Mark James for Active Living by Design

Pike County
http://www.peec.org/
The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area furthers environmental efforts through hands-on experience in a natural outdoor classroom. Its close to a quarter million acres of public lands include shady hemlock gorges, the Delaware, flower fields, waterfalls, boreal bogs, ponds and streams and forests. PEEC’s Visitor Activity Center received a 2006 Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects and boasts passive solar heating, energy efficient insulation and the use of recycled and non-toxic construction materials. The Visitor Education and Administration Building Center houses classrooms, library, craft center, darkroom, store, indoor pool, educational displays and meeting areas. Thirteen miles of hiking trails originate from PEEC’s campus and visitors can canoe on the ponds or enjoy a picnic or campfire.
570-828-2319
Events:
“Leave No Trace Awareness” July 19 – part of sustainable living series explaining how to leave no trace while camping.
Family Nature Getaways July 3-6 - educational, social and recreational activities for families to enjoy the great oudoors!
John Serrao Natural History Series July 13, 2-4 p.m. - Butterflies & Other Amazing Arthropods
Dragonflies & Damselflies July 18-20
Music of the Night July 19, 8-10 p.m. - Learn to tell the difference between songs of night animals.
Dragonfly Chase July 26, 1-4 p.m.
Delaware River Valley Wildflowers July 27, 1-4 p.m.
Dinner & a Show July 12, 6-9 p.m. - Butterflies
Bed & Breakfast Weekends July 11-13 - Stay in PEEC cabin and enjoy hiking and area recreation. Includes breakfast and campfire on Saturday evening.
Introduction to Canoeing July 19, 1-4 p.m.

Monroe County
http://www.mcconservation.org/
Monroe County Conservation District’s Environmental Education Center is located within the 166-acre Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary near Bartonsville, which encompases fields, forests, evergreen stands and ponds. Over two and a half miles of trail are well-marked for public use. 7,200 square feet of space holds classrooms, meeting areas, gift shop, displays and exhibits. Visitors can enjoy a large observation deck and classroom just outside.
570-629-3061
Events:
Public Bog Walks, Wednesdays through Sept. 3, 10 a.m. - Interpretive tours of the Tannersville Cranberry Bog via a floating boardwalk.
Butterfly Counting July 19, 9:30 a.m. - Citizen scientists count for the North American Butterfly Association.
2nd Annual Monroe County Bug Fest July 18-19 - Counting butterflies, inspecting moths and other nocturnal insects, Saturday open house with displays, activities, games, puppet shows, insect safari, insect olympics and a pond study.
Kettle Creek for Kids Tuesdays & Thursdays throughout the summer, 10 a.m. – Ages 4-6 & 7-9
Forest, Fields and Me Day Camp July 7-11, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. - Ages 9-12
Kettle Creek Adventure Camp July 28-Aug. 1 - Ages 12-14
Conservation Camp July 19-26 - Ages 14-high school grads

Wayne County
http://www.lacawac.org/
Lackawac Sanctuary is a 510-acre nature preserve and historic site in Lake Ariel which includes Lake Lacawac, virgin and second-growth forest areas, ponds, wetlands and shoreline on Lake Wallenpaupack. During the day, visitors can access over three miles of hiking trails that pass the Ledges, deer enclosures and an overlook of the glacial lake. July and August are the best months to see the native plant garden near the visitor center. Tours are available of the historic sites on the property, including Coal Baron William Connell’s turn-of-the-century summer estate.
570-689-9494
Events:
Limnology of Lake Lacawac July 12, 9 a.m.-noon
Owl Prowl July 16, 7 p.m.
Children’s Pond Safari July 16, 2-4 p.m.
Little Naturalist Nature Day Camp July 21-25, 9 a.m.-noon
Come Sail with Us July 26, noon-3 p.m. - Picnic lunch and afternoon sail on Lake Wallenpaupack
Explore Lake Lacawac July 27, 10 a.m.-noon
Jr. Nature Detectives Day Camp July 28-Aug. 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bradford County
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/mtpisgah.aspx
Bradford County Conservation District’s Stoll Natural Resource Center in Towanda has opened the Wilbur Beers Family Nature Area on Lake Wesauking Road in Wysox. Over 800 feet of handicapped-accessible boardwalk wind through the 18-acre wetlands, and an interpretive pavilion and trails are also on the property.
(570) 265-5539 x123
At Mt. Pisgah State Park Environmental Interpretive Center, guests learn about early farm life and wildlife. Including a butterfly garden, nature walks, night hikes, day camps and wildlife slide programs, the space also serves as a hands-on, outdoor classroom. The park is a 1,302-acre area along Mill Creek at the base of Mt. Pisgah with ten miles of hiking trails.
570-297-2734
Events:
Junior Naturalist Day Camp July 1 & 2, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Ages 9-13
Native Plant Gardening July 6, 7 p.m.
Canoe Tour of Stephen Foster Lake July 18, 7 p.m.
Hovering Hummingbirds July 27, 7 p.m.
S.M.A.R.T Angler Fishing Skills Clinic July 29, 9 a.m.-noon

Wyoming County
http://www.emnconline.org/
The Endless Mountains Nature Center maintains 11 miles of trails within Camp Lackawanna in Tunkhannock; hiking difficulty varies from easy to moderate along the Susquehanna river and historical remnants of North Branch Canal. The lodge includes hands-on learning displays, nature gifts and exhibits, and visitors can view rehabilitated wild birds, a native plant garden and bird feeding station. The center also operates the one-mile Kiwanis Interpretive Nature Trail on the Kiwanis Wyoming County Fairgrounds which leads visitors between the field and wetlands and into the forest.
570-836-3835
Events:
Summer Nature Day Camps July 7-11 & 21-25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (grades 2-3); July 14-8, 1-4 p.m. (pre-k- first grade)
Bird Watching Walk July 5, 9-11 a.m.
Bug Bingo July 12, 4-5:30 p.m. – Family program at the Kiwanis trail
Wild plants of NEPA and their uses July 13, 1-5 p.m.
Riverfest July 26, 3-8 p.m. - At Riverside Park in Tunkhannock