Search Results

Find outdoor recreation destinations in and around Centre County. Centred Outdoors offers free, guided outings and wellness activities near State College and Penn State. Let's stress less, and discover more! Centred outdoors Get Adventure Guide View Latest Issue See All Events Discover and explore outdoor recreation destinations in and around Centre County, PA! Experience all the benefits that time in nature provides! Browse our list of Destinations or participate in our Events . Find local Transportation options. Sign up to receive our Adventure Guide emails, and receive details and directions for awe-inspiring guided adventures and wellness activities at destinations in and around State College, PA and Penn State University. Centred Outdoors events are always free, and open to everyone. Other events listed may be sponsored by other organizations and have their own registration requirements - check event details. Wed, Jun 25 Wellness Wednesday: Art in Nature / Soaring Eagle Wetland Details Jun 25, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Soaring Eagle Wetland, 6543 S Eagle Valley Rd, Julian, PA 16844, USA Enjoy a creative evening outdoors with Ann Taylor-Schmidt! Multiple Dates Thu, Jun 26 Soaring Eagle Wetland: Guided Outing / Soaring Eagle Wetland Learn more Jun 26, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Soaring Eagle Wetland, 6543 S Eagle Valley Rd, Julian, PA 16844, USA Plan a memorable day of birdwatching, nature walking, fishing, picnicking, or all of the above at an outdoor destination that offers a little bit of everything, for everyone! Multiple Dates Sun, Jun 29 Lederer Park: Guided Outings / Lederer Park Learn more Jun 29, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Lederer Park, 1101 University Dr, State College, PA 16801, USA State College park offering leisurely walking trails and an arboretum of labeled trees. Multiple Dates Tue, Jul 01 Fresh Air Walks / Lederer Park Learn more Jul 01, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lederer Park, 1101 University Dr, State College, PA 16801, USA Easy walks over the lunch hour to awaken your senses and brighten your day! See All Events Centred Outdoors is an invitation to everyone, of every age, background, or fitness level, to explore and enjoy outdoor recreation destinations throughout Centre and surrounding counties. The Centred Outdoors program promotes a community that continually visits, enjoys, and cares for the region’s natural assets. reserve gear Reserve gear to use during Centred Outdoors outings and enjoy the outdoors in comfort! LEARN MORE OUR PARTNERS CONTACT US Join let's connect SOCIAL EMAIL info@centredoutdoors.org phone 814 - 237 - 0400 ADDRESS 2555 N. Atherton St. State College, PA

Explore outdoor recreation destinations in central Pennsylvania! Browse locations, find maps and trail information, or join guided outings and wellness activities. all destinations Explore any of these local destinations on your own! Follow the links for maps, trail tips, and other information to help you prepare and enjoy each unique location. For a list of our scheduled Guided Outings or Wellness activities, visit our Events page . Questions about a particular location? Get in touch! See the Map Alan Seeger Alan Seeger Natural Area, Huntingdon, PA, USA Explore Allegheny Front Trail Allegheny Front Trail, Snow Shoe, PA, USA Explore Bald Eagle State Park 149 Main Park Road, Howard, PA, USA Explore Bald Knob Bald Knob, Boalsburg, PA, USA Explore Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor 264 Harness Downs Road, Port Matilda, PA, USA Explore Bear Meadows Natural Area Bear Meadows Natural Area, Petersburg, PA, USA Explore Benner Spring Benner Spring Trail, Bellefonte, PA, USA Explore Big Flat Laurel Natural Area Keith Spring, Jackson Township, PA 16801, USA Explore Bilger's Rocks Bilger's Rocks, Bilgers Rocks Road, Grampian, PA, USA Explore Black Moshannon State Park 4216 Beaver Road, Philipsburg, PA, USA Explore Boal Mansion 148a Boal Estate Drive, Boalsburg, PA, USA Explore Canoe Creek State Park Canoe Creek State Park, 205 Canoe Creek Road, Hollidaysburg, PA, USA Explore Colyer Lake Colyer Lake, Potter Township, PA, USA Explore Downtown Art Walk 137 E Beaver Ave, State College, PA, USA Explore Dry Hollow Dry Hollow Camp Lane, Warriors Mark, PA, USA Explore Dutch Alvin Trail M7PH+MMQ Barrville, Pennsylvania, USA Explore Galbraith Gap Trail 400 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA, USA Explore Gray's Woods Preserve Gray's Woods Park, Grays Woods Boulevard, Port Matilda, PA, USA Explore Greenwood Furnace State Park 15795 Greenwood Road, Huntingdon, PA, USA Explore Greenwood Spur Alan Seeger Natural Area, Huntingdon, PA, USA Explore Indian Steps Indian Steps Trail, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA, USA Explore Jackson Trail jackson trail, state college Explore James Cleveland Trail James Cleveland Trail, Greens Valley Road, Centre Hall, PA, USA Explore Jean Aron Path Bear Meadows Road & North Meadows Road, Harris Township, PA, USA Explore Jo Hays Vista Jo Hays Vista, Ferguson Township, PA, USA Explore Lederer Park Lederer Park, University Drive, State College, PA, USA Explore Little Flat Fire Tower Area Little Flat Fire Tower, Little Flat Tower Road, State College, PA, USA Explore Little Juniata Natural Area 6205 Mountain Road, Alexandria, PA, USA Explore Living Filter Living Filter, 851 Cricklewood Drive, State College, PA, USA Explore Lonberger Path Q66X+X5Q Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, USA Explore Lower Rail Trail The Lower Trail Williamsburg Station, East 1st Street, Williamsburg, PA, USA Explore Lower Trail, Rothrock Shingletown Gap and Lower Trail Parking and Trailhead, State College, PA, USA Explore Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, Puddintown Road, State College, PA, USA Explore Mount Nittany 500 Mount Nittany Road, Lemont, PA, USA Explore Musser Gap Musser Gap Trail Parking Area, Musser Gap Trail, State College, PA, USA Explore Patton Woods Patton Woods Natural Recreation Area, Circleville Road, State College, PA, USA Explore Penn Roosevelt State Park Penn-Roosevelt State Park, Huntingdon, PA, USA Explore Penns View Penn's View Overlook, Woodward, PA, USA Explore Poe Paddy Tunnel Tunnel Spur Rd, Woodward, Haines Township, PA, USA Explore Prince Gallitzin State Park 966 Marina Rd, Patton, PA, USA Explore Ray F. Decker Trail V86J+CG Centre Hall, Pennsylvania Explore Raymond B. Winter State Park Raymond B. Winter State Park, Buffalo Road, Mifflinburg, PA, USA Explore Reeds Gap State Parak Reeds Gap State Park, New Lancaster Valley Road, Milroy, PA, USA Explore Rhoneymeade Arboretum & Sculpture Garden 177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall, PA, USA Explore Scotia Barrens Scotia Barrens, Scotia Range Road, Port Matilda, PA, USA Explore Shaver's Creek Environmental Center 3400 Discovery Road, Petersburg, PA, USA Explore Soaring Eagle Wetland 6543 South Eagle Valley Road, Julian, PA, USA Explore Spring Creek Canyon Spring Creek Canyon Trail, Bellefonte, PA, USA Explore Spruce Gap Galbraith Parking Lot, Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA, USA Explore Standing Stone Trail Monsell Trail Parking, Belleville, PA, USA Explore Stone Mountain Hawk Watch Stone Mountain Hawk Watch Platform, Allensville Road, Allensville, PA, USA Explore Talleyrand Park 320 W High St, Bellefonte, PA, USA Explore The Arboretum at Penn State-Hartley Wood E Park Ave & Bigler Rd, State College, PA, USA Explore Thompson Woods Thompson Woods Preserve, Walnut Spring Lane, State College, PA, USA Explore Thousand Steps Thousand Steps - Standing Stone Trail, William Penn Highway, Mapleton, PA, USA Explore Tom Tudek Memorial Park Tom Tudek Memorial Park, Herman Drive, State College, PA, USA Explore Tussey Mountain Trail Bear Meadows Rd & North Meadows Road, Harris Township, PA, USA Explore Whipple Dam State Park Whipple Dam State Park, Laurel Run Road, Petersburg, PA, USA Explore Yellow Arrow Trail To State Forest Picnic Area Road, Spruce Creek, PA, USA Explore destination locations Map

Lederer Park is one of three connected areas that make up a sizeable natural area in the midst of bustling State College. This destination is great for a nature-based play date, afternoon lunch break, or after work stroll. Lederer Park Lederer Park, University Drive, State College, PA, USA Lederer Park is one of three connected areas that make up a sizeable natural area in the midst of bustling State College. This destination is great for a nature-based play date, afternoon lunch break, or after work stroll. For information about guided outings at this or other locations, visit our Events . About This Destination Lederer Park is one of three connected areas that make up a sizeable natural area in the midst of bustling State College. Lederer Park, Walnut Springs Park, and Thompson Woods Preserve provide scenic open spaces for residents while supporting the health of local streams and wildlife and reducing impacts from flooding events. Lederer Park has plenty of leisurely walking trails with an impressive arboretum of labeled trees, the James Evans Oak Arboretum. GPS Link for this destination: 1101 University Drive, State College, PA Plan Your Visit This Destination is managed by: Borough of State College For more information about visiting this Destination, visit: Borough of State College maps Google Maps Location (for Self-guided Outings) Centred Outdoors Outing Map (if available) ADA Accessibility See Destination website for more information or contact Managing organization. Visit On Your Own Lederer Park, University Drive, State College, PA, USA Googlemap

By Nina Campbell, MSN, BSN, RN, Stroke and Sepsis Coordinator, Mount Nittany Health Everyone knows that hiking is good for your physical health, but did you know that getting outdoors has been proven to be good for your mental health too? Several studies have shown that our environment can increase or reduce stress levels. Time spent outdoors alleviates stress and anxiety, increases positivity, and improves mental health in several important ways. Spending time in nature can improve your sleep, your memory, and even help you fight off illness. Getting outside often means time in the sunshine. Vitamin D is produced by your skin by using the ultraviolet b energy from sunlight to convert cholesterol into the natural occurring version of vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels are linked to health conditions such as depression, muscle weakness, and osteoporosis. It’s important to ensure you are getting 10-30 minutes of sunlight everyday to maintain healthy levels. Being exposed to sunlight is also linked to lower blood pressure. People who spend more time in nature have lower blood pressure, lower cortisol levels, and a lower pulse than individuals who spend more time indoors. Spending time in nature alleviates feelings of time pressure and stress. Time spent in green spaces is time away from the everyday stressors and a chance to unplug and relax in a truly therapeutic way. Walking among trees has several health benefits that can produce positive health benefits that make it easier to keep a healthy and positive outlook on life. Several studies have linked nature walks to a reduced risk of depression. Interactions with nature have shown to improve memory, cognitive performance, and attention control. Several studies have shown that a walk in the woods has memory promoting effects that are not replicated by comparable walks in an urban setting. Studies have also linked attention restoration to stress reduction. Being in nature allows the brain to take a break from the business of life. Simply listening to the sounds of the natural world has proven to reduce your heart rate and blood pressure. The sounds of nature, from a babbling brook to the leaves rustling in the wind, have a calming effect on both your body and mind. These effects can be replicated just by listening to a recording. Finally, time spent in nature can help keep you from getting sick. Trees emit phytoncides, which are powerful immune boosters. Immune boosting white blood cells are produced from breathing in phytoncides. These white blood cells play a major role in fighting tumors and viruses. Spending time outside can also improve the quality of your sleep and can help realign your body’s clock to align to natural light and dark cycles and to a more natural circadian rhythm. One study found that melatonin, a natural sleep hormone, increased at sunset when people spent more time outdoors. Melatonin regulates your sleep, and is normally produced by your brain in darkness. It normally stops being produced when your eyes absorb sunlight. This means spending time in the darkness may help you fall asleep and soaking up sunlight can make you feel more awake. An insufficient amount of quality sleep can even result in mental and physical health problems, including obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular problems, depression, and diabetes. If you are suffering from poor sleep, Mount Nittany Health’s sleep lab is open seven nights a week for diagnostic testing to find the cause of and determine appropriate treatment for sleep disorders that impact daily life. Getting outside is good for your health in a variety of ways - from improving your heart health, to reducing stress, and even alleviating the precursors to depression. Hiking can also help reduce your risk for stroke and other serious medical complications when combined with good nutrition and preventative health measures.

Being active outdoors offers obvious benefits such as helping you maintain a healthy weight. But did you know that it also provides these benefits to make people healthier? 1. Reduces stress, depression and anxiety 2. Helps you sleep better at night 3. Boosts your immune system, keeping you out of the doctor’s office 4. Reduces inflammation and promotes healing 5. Gives you a dose of Vitamin D