Summer Outdoor Adventures in the Susquehanna River Valley

“Now I see the secret of making the best person, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth." - Walt Whitman

Come to the Susquehanna River Valley and Get Out into the Open Air!

Recreational opportunities abound—hiking, biking, fishing, paddling, golfing, horseback riding, watching wildlife or taking a leisurely stroll through a park with family.

Visit the SRV Events Calendar for a list of upcoming Outdoor Recreation Events.

Fun on the Water

The majestic Susquehanna River, at roughly 444 miles in length, is the longest river on the east coast. The North (Main) Branch forms in upstate New York, travels through Pennsylvania and joins with the West Branch at its confluence in the heart of the Susquehanna River Valley where Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties also converge. It eventually flows into the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

Winding its way through Pennsylvania the river passes tranquil natural areas, pastoral farmlands and historic towns of the Susquehanna River Valley. The scenic Susquehanna provides year-round beauty and inspiration. The river offers many recreational opportunities - wildlife watching, photography, fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking and relaxing in riverside parks.

Find out more about water recreation at the following links:

Top 20 River Spots - We have created a list of places to inspire you and provide hours of relaxation and recreation. Though certainly not exhaustive, it provides twenty unique and memorable river spots.
Paddling - For the boaters and water-lovers among us, the Susquehanna River Valley provides lakes, rivers and creeks for watery fun. Read more.

Fishing - Opportunities abound for all levels of fishermen. Known for amazing small mouth bass fishing, the Susquehanna River also supports many other fish like catfish, rainbow trout, large mouth bass, American shad, perch, rock bass, bullheads and many others. For expert information about fishing on the Susquehanna River, consider joining Tom's Fishing Guide Service for a fun and affordable day on the beautiful Susquehanna River enjoying nature and catching fish! Introducing Children to Fishing.

Penns Creek, a 66-mile-long tributary of the Susquehanna River, is another favorite fishing location. This large, limestone-influenced stream supports strong numbers of wild Brown Trout throughout much of its length. Penns Creek is one of the most popular wild trout streams in Pennsylvania and the eastern U.S.

Find more insider secrets to fishing the Susquehanna River HERE.

The Susquehanna River Valley: A Premier Cycling Destination

Summer's glorious weather is sure to bring back memories of childhood bike riding at full tilt with the wind in your hair and not a care in the world! A bike ride in the Susquehanna River Valley is sure to transport avid cyclists as well as recreational riders back to those carefree days of summer vacation. Now's the time to get back on the bike and log some miles in the sunshine. The Susquehanna River Valley is the perfect Mid-Atlantic cycling destination for riders of every age and stage. For more information about biking in the SRV. Read More.

Trails for Hiking

Summer is a bursting in gorgeous sunshine and bird song. The trees are verdant, flowers are blooming and river is lazily flowing past farmlands and quaint towns. So, lace up your boots, hit the trails and rejoice in all the glory of summer in the Susquehanna River Valley. The SRV has many trails popular for hiking, whether in state forests, along the river bank or in a community park. Read more.

Find seven great locations for introducing children to the wonder and excitement of hiking: Read more.

Photo Courtesy of Knoebels Campground

Camping

Without the intense touch of nature, you can never fully freshen yourself! Go camping, and there, bother your weary mind and your exhausted body will rise like a morning sun!"
- Mehmet Murat Ildan

Refresh your soul. Camp with a view of starlit skies, a secluded lake front or the serene Susquehanna River. Whether sleeping in a tent, RV, cabin or under Mother Nature's canopy, the Susquehanna River Valley provides everything you need to embrace the great outdoors. Rest. Relax. Repeat. Read more about camping in the Susquehanna River Valley

Equestrian

"The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit and fire." - Sharon Raffs

Meander through field and forest on horseback in the Susquehanna River Valley.
State forests, parks and game lands offer shared use trails to thrill all riders who have a longing to ride in free wild spaces. Susquehanna River Valley Equestrian Centers offer training, camps, shows, clinics and lessons for riders of all ages and experience levels. they also offer full care, permanent and temporary boarding facilities for your horse. Read more.

Bird Watching

Bird-watching is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors. Below you'll find a list of some of the best spots to relax and watch for majestic Bald Eagles and other raptors, to listen for your favorite songbirds, and to spy perching birds or waterfowl as you enlarge your familiarity with the great diversity of birds and their habitats. Read more.

Or visit Parakeet Landing at Clyde Peeling's Reptiland or the Free Flight Aviary at T & D's Wild Animal Refuge to see feathered friends up close and personal.

Golfing

Summer is a great time to bird-watch while on the golf course. Common "birds" to look for while golfing include the albatross, eagle, birdie and condor.
Hit the links at your favorite golf course or visit a course you haven’t tried yet for a new challenge. Every shot is the perfect shot when enjoying the summer delights and wonderful sights (including setting your sights on those hopefully common golf course birds) at Susquehanna River Valley golf clubs, both public and semi-private. Or head to one of the SRV's premier miniature golf courses for a relaxed and fun afternoon. Read more.

Disc Golfing

Faylor Lake DiscGolfPark in Beaver Springs PA is an 18-hole championship level disc golf course designed to challenge the best players in the world. With beautiful grass fairways, stunning lake views and beautiful trees this course offers everything you could ask of a disc golf course. Though it will challenge the best players in the world, there is a second set of teepads that will accommodate rec and intermediate level players as well. This makes Faylor Lake DGP the perfect family getaway providing an enjoyable hike and disc golf fun for everyone from the youngest to the oldest.

The course is free to play and open to the public from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. Come and accept the challenge of playing disc golf at Faylor Lake today!

Gain a New Perspective: View the Valley from the Air

Do you ever wish you could take wing like a bird and see nature's beauty from a bird's eye view? Balloon Rides Daily by The U.S. Hot Air Balloon Team can make your dream come true!
Enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Susquehanna River Valley. Sunrise and sunset flights originate daily. Add a tethered or flyaway balloon ride to any event you may be hosting.

Off-Roading Adventures

The geography and geology of the coal region has made outdoor recreation a game-changer for the region, gaining recognition nationwide as an off-road riding destination. The Coal Heritage region is home to Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA), one of the top 10 destinations for ATVs, full-size vehicles and dirt bikes. Adjacent to AOAA is Famous Reading Outdoors. Combined, these two ATV destinations offer 30,000 acres of outdoor adventure. Bald Eagle State Forest offers hundreds of miles of ATV, dual sport motorcycle and shared use trails. Read more.

Explore Caves & Caverns

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” - Joseph Campbell

Head west to explore the magnificent geological formations found in Susquehanna River Valley caves and caverns. Be awed and amazed. Take a guided boat tour of America’s only all water cavern, view stunning up-lit rocks, tour spectacular crystal caverns, and tour the 300 ft “Hall of Statues”, found in one of the largest caverns in Pennsylvania. Read more.

Community Parks, Playgrounds and Pools

“Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play”.-Heraclitus

Outdoor recreation can be fast and furious - a heart pounding pedal up a mountain and an exhilarating race to the bottom – or it can be simple and easy: a splash, a swim, a walk with your dog on a trail, or pushing a child sky-high on a swing.

We celebrate the outdoor athlete, the quiet nature lover and those who embrace life and release energy by simply being in a pool or at a playground, trail or community park. Find resources for those looking for a pool, park, playground or trail. Read more.