Overview
As Pennsylvania’s leader and chief advocate for conservation and outdoor recreation, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will inspire citizens to:
- Value their natural resources
- Engage in conservation practices
- Experience the outdoors
Hiking
Hiking is the most popular outdoor activity in Pennsylvania, and it’s no wonder with all of the outstanding opportunities, from short loop hikes on state park trails to long, multi-day options on state forest lands, to family-friendly adventures on one of Pennsylvania’s rail-trails.
Hiking
Biking
If your need for speed is on two wheels, there are lots of options in our Pennsylvania state parks or the vast network of rail trails in Pennsylvania for a spin on flat, family-friendly trails.
Biking
Kayaking and Canoeing
Pennsylvania is a paddler’s paradise because it is blessed with an abundance of lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds all across the commonwealth for kayaking and canoeing. Many of these paddling opportunities exist within our state parks and forests.
Kayaking and Canoeing-
September 15, 2026 Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Recreation Economy Grows 21 Percent Under Shapiro Administration — to $20.4 Billion — as Office of Outdoor Recreation Marks Three YearsUnder Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy has grown by 21 percent, adding 12,000 jobs, increasing wages by nearly 25 percent, and contributing $20.4 billion to the Commonwealth’s GDP.
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September 10, 2026 Lake Drawdown at Colonel Denning State Park Begins September 15Beginning September 15, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will initiate lake level drawdown and rehabilitation work at Colonel Denning State Park in Cumberland County to remove sand from the swimming area back to the beach area.
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September 04, 2026 Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park in the Pennsylvania Wilds Reopens for Fall Foliage ViewingFor fall leaf viewing season, the Skywalk reopened September 1 and will remain open through October 31, 2026.
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September 04, 2026 DCNR Names New Assistant Manager for the Delaware Canal State Park Complex in Eastern PennsylvaniaSecretary Cindy Adams Dunn today announced the appointment of Emily Reed as the assistant manager for the Delaware Canal State Park Complex in Eastern Pennsylvania.
