Bucktail State Park Natural Area

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Quick Facts

Bucktail State Park Natural Area

Pennsylvania

(814) 486-3365

Map Directions

Things To Do

   

Overview

Bucktail State Park Natural Area provides a beautiful 75-mile scenic drive along PA 120 from Emporium, through Renovo, to Lock Haven. It stretches through a narrow valley which has for years been called the Bucktail Trail, named after the famous American Civil War regiment of Woodsmen, the Bucktails or Bucktail Rangers. This beautiful area has also been called the Bucktail Canyon because of the steep mountains that form beautiful forested walls along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and Sinnemahoning Creek. Visitors should note that most of the land within the legislative'park boundary is privately owned. Please obtain permission from landowners before entering private property. All along the road are unspoiled forest lands, beautiful hills and deep valleys. In the fall, the colors are breath-taking and people drive many miles to attend the Flaming Foliage Festival at Renovo in October. In the spring, mountain laurel and the fresh green foliage are worth the trip.

Map of Bucktail Natural Area (PA)

Latitude, Longitude: 41.289294, -77.963613

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Activities

  • Hiking

    Visitors should note that most of the land within the "legislative" park boundary is privately owned. Please obtain permission from landowners before entering private property.

  • Wildlife Watching

    River valleys, like the Bucktail State Park Natural Area, are important habitats in Pennsylvania. Warmer, wet river valleys usually support more wildlife that the colder, drier surrounding mountains. River valleys are natural passageways for animals and plants. Seeds that fall into rivers are carried downstream to create new populations. Trees like river birch and sycamore naturally dwell in Bucktail State Park. Many animals live in river valleys or follow them during migrations. Osprey, bald eagle, kingfisher, many duck species, merganser and other birds, otter, deer, mink and other animals are noteworthy river valley inhabitants and can be seen in Bucktail State Park. Elk are often seen along the northern portion of Bucktail State Park Natural Area. The best time to view elk is at dawn and dusk in September and October during the mating season.

Directions

Driving

Bucktail State Park Natural Area is in northcental Pennsylvania and follows PA 120 from near Lock Haven north to Emporium.

Phone Numbers

Primary

(814) 486-3365

Links