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-
August 17, 2026 Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to Improve Campground at Cook Forest State Park in Northwestern PennsylvaniaConstruction will take place in phases beginning in spring 2027 to ensure the public can continue to camp at the park through the completion of the improvements in spring 2029.
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August 17, 2026 ICYMI: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Closes Out Third Annual Outdoors for All Celebration in PittsburghMore than 25 Pittsburgh-area outdoor recreation and conservation organizations came together to offer hands-on activities, opportunities to get out on the water, education, and community connection at the event.
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August 14, 2026 DCNR Names New Assistant District Forester for Weiser State ForestSecretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the appointment of Jake Novitsky as the assistant district forester for Weiser State Forest, which spans Dauphin, Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, and Schuylkill counties.
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August 08, 2026 Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Celebrates Third Annual Outdoors for All Day in HarrisburgMore than 15 Harrisburg outdoor recreation and conservation organizations came together to offer hands-on activities, opportunities to get out on the water, education, and community connection at the event.