Winter Activities
Looking for something to do this winter - Clearfield County has it all!
Snowmobiling the Countryside
S.B. Elliott State Park in the heart of the Moshannon State Forest is a great starting point to discover the Pennsylvania Wilds by snowmobile. More than 70 miles of trails will take you through winter paradise. For conditions, go to www.pasnowreports.com. For maps, visit Parker Dam State Park, or go online to www.dcnr.state.pa.us.
Ice FishingClearfield County has a lot of great places for the cold-blooded sports enthusiast to sink a line. Recommended are Parker Dam, Curwensville Lake, Treasure Lake and Janesville Dam. Cabins are available at Parker Dam and Treasure Lake, so why not take a winter vacation, settle in on your bucket seat, and see what bites?
Geocaching
Geocaching in winter is a great way to experience the outdoors, see wildlife in a different way, and learn as well. Parker Dam State Park holds geocaching classes, activities and searches. Try your new learned skills on the S.B. Elliott Civilian Conservation Corps historic geocache. For more information about geocaching on State park and Forest lands, go to www.dcnr.state.pa.us/geocaching.
Snow Shoeing
“If you can walk, you can snow shoe.” Snowshoes allow you to explore winter terrain in places where cross-country skis can’t go. Wopsononock Natural Area, the Quehanna Wild Area, and Moshannon State Forest are three great places to hike in winter solitude. Snow shoeing also has the added benefit of a great aerobic workout, keeping you in shape for spring.
Cross Country Skiing
There are four Rails to Trails in Clearfield County, perfect for cross-country skiing. The 73-mile Quehanna Trail is spectacular in winter, as are the trails at Curwensville Lake
Sledding
Nothing beats the thrill of old-fashioned sledding down a hill! Treasure Lake and Parker Dam Stat Park have designated sled/ tubing hills, or ask a local to tell you their favorite place where they “race to the bottom.”
Roughing It
Outdoor die-hards don’t have to go to Colorado for winter backpacking, do it right here! Whether day-hiking or backpacking, winter enthusiasts will find the backwoods of this part of the Pennsylvania Wilds as exciting and rugged as their more famous counterparts in the West. Be sure to have adequate gear and a “safe plan” in case of extreme weather patterns, and tell someone your travel plans in case of emergency.
Warm up with Wine
When it’s time to come in from the cold, warm up with a tasting tour. Three Groundhog Wine Trail wineries are close to Clearfield and Dubois, each one unique. Learn about solar processing, old-world traditional methods, and test your antique tool I.Q. during a weekend tour. Learn more by logging onto www.groundhogwinetrail.com.
