Laurel Ridge State Park , Rockwood Tucked in Perry County, Fowlers Hollow State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s smallest, but its charm is big. Shaded by hemlocks and threaded by a trout stream, it’s a peaceful spot for picnics, fishing, and wildlife watching. The park also connects to the vast Tuscarora State Forest, opening access to miles of hiking, hunting, and cross-country skiing trails. With roots in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Fowler’s Hollow offers a window into Pennsylvania’s conservation legacy. And in the wintertime, the Laurel Highlands region transforms into a wonderland of cold-weather adventure. Groomed Nordic trails at Laurel Ridge State Park in Rockwood stretch for over 20 miles. Laurel Mountain ski area, part of Laurel Mountain State Park , offers downhill skiing, while more than 100 miles of snowmobile routes in the area cross state parks, forests, and game lands. Sledding hills at Laurel Hil l and Ohiopyle State Parks invite families to join the fun, and their free cross-country ski and snowshoe lessons make it easy for first-timers to get started. (A trail pass fee and rental equipment fee typically apply.) Across the state and throughout the seasons, Pennsylvania’s conservation story is woven into the places where we now hike, paddle, bike, ski, and learn. These stories live on in every adventure enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Dig Into PA’s Past with Archaeologist Angela Jaillet-Wentling Angela Jaillet-Wentling didn’t plan on becoming an archaeologist. While enrolled at Penn State, she signed up for an Intro to Archaeology class because it sounded “cool.” The rest, as they say, is history. Today, she uncovers the hidden lives of Pennsylvania’s past people. “Traditional history focuses on the word, usually written, as its primary source of information, but archaeology looks at the ‘what’ that was left behind and fills in some of the gaps of what we know,” she says. Fieldwork, she adds, is often full of surprises. Jaillet-Wentling recommends visiting history-rich destinations across the state—from Washington Crossing Historical Park and numerous Civilian Conservation Corps camps to the world-renowned Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella. Her only request? Follow Leave No Trace principles. “Leaving our sites as you find them for everyone, including future generations, is so important to maintaining their integrity and the context that allows us to understand them in all their complexity,” she says. 62 visitpa.com GO LAUREL HIGHLANDS
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Travel Guide 2026: Page 62
