Must-See Nature Spots Around Danville

With trees budding and wildflowers blooming, right now is one of the best times of year to get out and enjoy some time in nature here in Pennsylvania. Lace up your hiking shoes and let our real estate agents be your guides to the best parks, trails, and nature preserves in the Danville area. 

• North Branch Canal Trail - River Dr, Danville, PA 17821
  
  A greenway project that follows the former towpath of the North Branch Canal, the North Branch Canal Trail offers 6.3 miles of beautiful hiking. The trail is also open to bicycles, and it traverses mostly open, grassy meadows as well as forested sections. The trailhead is just off River Drive, minutes from many Danville homes for sale. This is a great trek for hikers of all ages and fitness levels, including families with kids.
• Montour Preserve - 374 Preserve Rd, Danville, PA 17821
  
  Surrounding the 165-acre Lake Chillisquaque, the Montour Preserve offers opportunities for a wide range of outdoor activities. The lake itself is popular for fishing and boating, and the densely wooded preserve is a haven for wildlife. The trails are used for hiking and trail running as well as cross-country skiing when conditions permit. The Chilisaugi Trail, which forms a 3.9-mile loop, is a great place to start. The Montour Preserve also includes a fossil pit where fossil hunting is permitted across a large area of exposed shale.
• Hess Recreation Area - 843 Meadow Ln, Danville, PA 17821
  
  There is a wealth of different ways to enjoy the outdoors at Hess Recreation Area, a 115-acre site located a stone's throw from downtown Danville. Mostly wooded, the recreation area offers 3.9 miles of trails that form two loops through forests and fields. The J. Manley Robbins Trail also crosses Mahoning Creek on a beautiful historic footbridge. It's a popular fishing spot, especially right after the creek is stocked with trout every April.
• Shikellamy State Park -  Shikellamy State Park Rd, Selinsgrove, PA 17870
  
  Located at the confluence of the North and West Branches of the Susquehanna River, Shikellamy State Park is a beautiful area for outdoor recreation just 20 minutes from Danville. The park includes 2.6 miles of hiking trails and 1.5 miles of biking trails, plus picnic areas, boat launch sites, fishing access, and scenic overlooks that provide sweeping views from the bluffs above the river.
• Geisinger Stewardship Forest Trails - Powder Mill Rd, Danville, PA 17821
  
  Tucked away behind Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Geisinger Stewardship Forest encompasses 300 wooded acres. The forest is crisscrossed by 8 miles of trails, which are maintained by a dedicated crew of local volunteers. It's a lovely off-the-beaten-path spot for hiking and mountain biking as well as bird watching and nature photography. Some trails have twists and turns designed specifically for mountain bikers.
• Weiser State Forest - PA-54, Coal Township, PA 17866
  
  Weiser State Forest comprises several distinct tracts of land scattered across multiple counties. The Roaring Creek Tract of Weiser State Forest is less than a 20-minute drive from Danville and offers a wide range of outdoor recreation, including fishing and hunting in season, as well as hiking and mountain biking. A shared-use trail stretches 8 miles alongside Roaring Creek, and several additional trails in the surrounding hills follow the historic tracks of coal miners. Additional facilities include picnic areas, lean-to shelters, and fishing access to three reservoirs along the creek. 

Contact us today to learn more about life in Danville. Overlooking the banks of the Susquehanna River, it's a beautiful place to live and enjoy time in the great outdoors.