Best Hikes for Every Month in Pennsylvania

Updated January 30, 2026

Looking to tackle more trails this year? Check out my list of best trails in Pennsylvania for each month.

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Pennsylvania is a wonderfully diverse state, which often makes it hard to pick a place to hike. There are so many options!

I’ve hiked a lot of trails and have done most of them multiple times. When you visit a place in the year often really matters for the experience. For example, I don’t love visiting Hays Woods in the spring or summer. I think it’s a way better experience when the leaves are off the trees and you can see the views.

I love all the trails on the list below during the season that are perfect for visiting them. 

If you only tackle 12 trails this year – here are the best trails to check out for each month of the year! 

As always, follow the principles of leave no trace when you're out exploring! Pack out all trash, leave wildlife alone, and generally leave it better than you found it - for more information visit the Leave No Trace Center.

Best Hikes in Pennsylvania for Each Month

In each section, I’ll share the hike distance, an overview of the hike, and why it’s the perfect hike for that month.

To skip ahead to your favorite month, use the quick links below!
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December

Love Pennsylvania and can't get enough? Order my book, Scenic Natural Wonders of Pennsylvania, for detailed information about 84 amazing waterfalls, scenic overlooks, caves, and natural areas. 

January – Ferncliff Peninsula, Ohiopyle

Distance: 1.8 miles

Overview: This hike has great views of the Ohiopyle Falls and the Youghiogheny River. There’s some fun and interesting terrain change, and if you look closely enough, you can find fossils in the rocks!

Why January: Ferncliff is one of my favorite hikes in the state no matter the time of year. However, I prefer it in January when the crowds are gone. USE CAUTION if it’s icy, as the rocks near the falls can get very slick. This hike is not suitable for young children or beginner hikers during this time of year. Make sure to bring spikes or YakTrax when visiting this time of year. 

Check out my list of the best hikes in Ohiopyle as you're exploring the area!

February –  Emerald View Trail, Pittsburgh

Distance: 4.9 miles

Overview: Emerald View Park is part of the Pittsburgh City Parks system. Built into the hillside, this park was created to protect Mount Washington’s hillside and it’s got some iconic views of the city.

Why February: Yes, this hike can get very muddy and icy in February. But if you have a sunny dry day in February, the views of the point and downtown Pittsburgh are incredible without any leaves on the trees blocking the vista. Note that this trail is not suitable for young children during this time of year if it’s slick out. 

Check out my guide to Emerald View Park, a Pittsburgh city park. 

March – Kinzua Bridge, Mount Jewett

Distance: 1 mile

Overview: Kinzua Bridge is one of the most unique state parks in the country. After a tornado ripped through the valley and destroyed the Kinzua Viaduct, the state turned one of the bridge pillars into a skywalk. On this hike, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with the fallen bridge pillars as you hike down into the valley.

Note: The Kinzua Bridge Skywalk is now closed for repairs. You can still hike on this trail but you won’t be able to see the view from the former bridge platform turned skywalk.

Why March: Most people will say that fall is the best time to visit Kinzua Bridge, but I loved visiting in March. The skeletons of the bridge pillars almost take on a haunted look compared to the stark landscape.` It is VERY cold this time of year still, so layer up and be sure to bring proper footwear for winter conditions. I love a merino wool base layer with my favorite hiking pants, long wool socks, and a warm hat. 

Here's my guide to visiting Kinzua Bridge State Park!

April – Wildflower Reserve, Raccoon Creek 

Distance: 1-3 miles depending on the loop

Overview: The Wildflower Reserve in Beaver County is one of the best places in the state to see wildflowers. There are over 700 species of plant in this reserve! It is vital to stay on trail and not pick the flowers. No dogs allowed!

Why April: Late April is the best time to visit the Wildflower Reserve in Raccoon Creek State Park because the spring flowers are fully in bloom. It can be wet and muddy this time of year (think April showers bring May flowers) so make sure to pack a raincoat and proper footwear. 

Check out my guide to the Wildflower Reserve for more information on visiting this amazing area!

May – Laurel Highlands Trail

Distance: 70 miles (or, more reasonably, any smaller distance for a section day hike)

Overview: The Laurel Highlands Trail is one of my favorite trails in PA and not just because it was my first thru-hike. May is a great time for a day hike or an overnight trip on the trail because it’s the perfect time to see our state flower, the mountain laurel, in bloom.

Why May: Peak mountain laurel season! Celebrate the bloom of our state flower by tackling a section of this amazing trail in south western PA. If you’re backpacking, water sources are plentiful (just watch out for rain – pack that raincoat!). Just remember that it can still get cold at night so bring a layer and a hat to keep your head warm at night. 

Looking to backpack the Laurel Highlands trail? Check out my comprehensive guide of everything you need to know for backpacking the LHHT. 

June – Bog Trail, Black Moshannon State Park

Distance: 0.5 miles

Overview: The Bog Trail in Black Moshannon is a short, wheelchair accessible hike along a boardwalk. Visitors can learn a ton about the bog ecosystem from all the signs along the trail.

Why June: The bog is alive all summer but June is special. Tons of flowers and animals are out and if you sit quietly at the overlook, you’ll be able to witness some awesome wildlife. If you’re up for an early alarm, Central Pennsylvania sunrises over the bog do not disappoint. This park is also open to hunting, so it’s great to go when there’s no hunters (as someone who watched a goose get shot out of the sky when I went in October and almost pooped my pants). 

July – Mount Nittany, State College

Distance: 1.8 miles for the short version, 5 miles for the longer version

Overview: This iconic hike near State College is absolutely worth the hype! The trail is tough but goes to some amazing scenic overlooks. While the shorter hike might be great for PSU fans, as it goes out and back to an overlook of campus and Beaver Stadium, I highly recommend the whole loop so that you can hit many scenic overlooks.

Why July: This might be a bit of a hear me out. Yes, July in Pennsylvania is swampy. Yes, this hike has got a lot of elevation gain and you may be very sweaty once you get to the top. However, Mount Nittany is absolutely worth it when you’re not fighting hoards of college students for views at the overlooks. Even when I visited in October at sunrise, we shared the trail with a bunch of frat bros who were drinking beers at the top. More power to them, but I prefer a quieter hiking experience. 

Looking for more activities in Centre County? Check out my weekend itinerary for the State College area!

August – Dingmans Falls & Silverthread Falls

Distance: 1.4 miles

Overview: While neither Dingmans Falls nor Silverthread Falls win the award for the tallest waterfall in the state (that goes to nearby Raymondskill Falls), both of these waterfalls are absolutely worth visiting. This boardwalk trail is mostly wheelchair accessible, making it a great hike for families. There’s also a ranger station right at the trailhead to learn more about the park.

Why August: This waterfall is worth visiting in all seasons, but August is a great time to visit. Flow can be a little lower this time of year, so make sure to try to visit after a couple of rainy days. August is busy season for the Delaware Water Gap, so get there early if you want the falls to yourself.

September – Thousand Steps

Distance: 1.5 miles

Overview: This absolutely leg crushing hike is aptly named for the over one thousand steps hikers need to climb to reach the top. Don’t let the short mileage fool you – this was one of the hardest short hikes I did in 2024.

Why September: Early fall in Huntingdon County is one of my favorite month/location combinations in all of Pennsylvania. In late September, Thousand Steps has amazing views of pre-peak foliage and it’s not too hot when you’re dying on all the steps. It is totally worth the effort to get there! There are so many things to do when you’re in the area for the hike and the summer crowds have mostly dissipated. Just remember to pack a raincoat as September can be rainy! I also recommend trekking poles for this hike if you’re a newer hiker or if it’s slippery out.

For more to do in Huntingdon County, check out my weekend itinerary for Raystown Lake!

October – Kildoo Trail, McConnells Mill

Distance: 3.0 miles

Overview: This trail starts near the park’s namesake mill and travels along the east side of Slippery Creek Gorge to the Kildoo Waterfall. Cross the gorge at Eckert Bridge and come back on the other side through the covered bridge. A perfect fall adventure!

Why October: McConnells Mill is an amazing place to hike all year round, but fall in the Mill is next level. Kildoo Trail’s mix of evergreen trees and deciduous trees make it a beautiful fall hike with amazing foliage. Note that the Mill will be pretty crowded this time of year so make sure to get there early and park in designated spots only. 

Want to explore more of McConnells Mill? Check out my guide to this amazing state park here!

November – Sunken Garden, Moraine State Park

Distance: Choose your own adventure! 1.9 miles for the short version, 2.4 miles for medium or 3.6 miles for longer

Overview: This relatively easy trail is great for families as it’s relatively flat. Hikers can choose to hike anywhere from almost 2 miles to closer to 4 depending on the loop. This trail is close to the park office and a boat launch.

Why November: I’ve hiked Sunken Garden in almost every month of the year, and November is my favorite month to hike here. There’s a lot of evergreen trees to break up stick season and beautiful views of the lake. It can get muddy this time of year so make sure to stay on trail and wear proper footwear (I love my Topos). 

Check out my guide to Moraine State Park hiking trails for more options when visiting this park!

December – Forest Cathedral, Cook Forest

Distance: 1.9 miles

Overview: The Forest Cathedral trail is one of the most popular trails in Cook Forest and for good reason. This old growth forest transports you back in time to when Pennsylvania was mostly wild.

Why December: Nothing is better in December than a snow-covered evergreen forest. Like the name suggests, visiting the Forest Cathedral in December is an almost religious experience. With snow on the ground, the hike is quiet and peaceful, with fewer crowds than all other seasons. We only saw three other people in December (in May we saw hundreds – not peaceful at all!)

Looking to visit Cook forest and the Pennsylvania wilds? Check out my three day itinerary for a weekend in the Pennsylvania Wilds!

What are your favorite hikes for every month in Pennsylvania? Let me know in the comments below!

Updated December 29, 2024