Discover Penfield

For a trip to Penfield, you can focus on hiking trails, forest and wetland landscapes, and the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The trails vary in length, difficulty, and features. Facilities at Parker Dam also offer insights into the lives of CCC members and the dam’s earlier construction work.

Hiking Trails: Length, Difficulty, and Scenery

The Trail of New Giants is a 1.2-mile, more challenging out-and-back trail. It passes through the 250-acre Windstorm Preserve. A 1/4-mile spur leads to two overlooks with views of the park and surrounding forest. The route therefore combines a specific hiking distance with a detour to two overlooks.

The Old Horse Trail in Simon B. Elliott State Park is a moderate 2.7-mile hike. When comparing the two trails, it’s worth considering both length and difficulty: the Trail of New Giants is shorter but described as more challenging; the Old Horse Trail is longer and rated moderate. These details describe two different hiking experiences, since a trail’s character isn’t defined by distance alone.

The landscapes also have their own distinct features. Simon B. Elliott State Park is entirely forested and includes swamp meadows as well as a second-growth mix of hardwoods and oaks. The scenery along the Souders Trail includes forest meadows, Laurel Run, and large hardwood and conifer trees. The hiking options therefore include both forest and wetland areas, as well as a trail with a stream and a variety of tree species.

Wildlife Signs and Longer Excursions

Signs of beavers can be seen along the Beaver Dam Trail. These include gnaw marks and tracks, as well as lodges and dams. The signs range from traces left by individual animals to the structures associated with them. If you’re interested in wildlife, this is a specific reason to look out for such signs while hiking.

For a longer excursion, the Quehanna Trail runs from Parker Dam State Park through the Quehanna Wild Area. Backpacking trips on this trail last from one to seven or more days. That’s considerably longer than the named hikes with stated distances: when planning a backpacking trip, consider not just a single trail distance but the stated duration of one day to a week or longer.

History at Parker Dam

The Lou and Helen Adams Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at Parker Dam tells visitors about the lives of Civilian Conservation Corps members. In addition, an environmental education center is located at the Parker Dam State Park office. It features interpretive exhibits, games, and children’s books. The museum and center offer different ways to explore the subject: the museum focuses on the lives of CCC members, while the center provides exhibits and other educational resources.

Two trails also highlight the history of work in the area. The CCC Trail follows the former 1930s road that ran between the Civilian Conservation Corps’ residential camp and the work area at the dam. At the Log Slide Trail trailhead, historic logging tools and an authentic replica of a log chute are on display. Together, these sites show how the history of the CCC at the dam differs from the history of logging: one trail follows the former connection between the camp and work area, while the other begins at tools and a replica chute.

Discover more destinations: DuBois, Ramey, Clearfield.

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