Child playing in Penns Creek
Perfect for fishing, fitness, and fun!
Explore Poe Paddy August 15, 18, or 20
Greetings!

About thirty miles east of State College, you can walk through a mountain via the Paddy Mountain Railroad Tunnel and find yourself transported onto one of the most scenic sections of trail in Central PA. Please join us as we explore this tunnel and its gorgeous surroundings this week.

While Poe Paddy is a great place to hike, bike, fly fish, and birdwatch, just simply walking through the 307-foot tunnel is a fun and novel experience that makes the scenic drive to this destination more than worthwhile.

In addition to joining a guided hike throughout the week, participants can also watch fly fishing demonstrations and try fly casting with members of Penns Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Equipment will be provided, so this is a great time and place to learn from experts and get your questions answered.

Please check out the full details about guided hikes for this week below, including important driving directions and tips for this destination.

Thanks, we hope to see you at the tunnel this week!
Dan Trew, Adventure Coordinator
ClearWater Conservancy
Schedule and Driving Directions for
Poe Paddy Tunnel August 15, 18, and 20
Schedule of Events:

Sunday, August 15 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (both hikes will be offered at both times)
  • Option 1: Take a family friendly, educational nature walk along Penns Creek that is suitable for all ages with Jim Flanagan, PVCA Environmental Educator.
  • Option 2: For a more challenging adventure, take an active, informative hike along the Mid-State Trail with Dan Trew, ClearWater Conservancy’s Adventure Coordinator.
 
Wednesday, August 18 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. (one hike will be offered at a time)
  • Option 1: At 9 a.m., explore the trail with Erica Quinn to learn about and reflect on the connections between humans and transportation.
  • Option 2: At 11 a.m., take an active, informative hike along the trail with Dan Trew, ClearWater Conservancy's Adventure Coordinator.

Friday, August 20 at 6 p.m. (both hikes will be offered at 6 p.m.)
  • Option 1: Take a family friendly, educational nature walk along Penns Creek that is suitable for all ages with Jim Flanagan, PVCA Environmental Educator.
  • Option 2: For a more challenging adventure, take an active, informative hike along the Mid-State Trail with Dan Trew, ClearWater Conservancy’s Adventure Coordinator.

All days and times:
  • During all dates and times, fly fishing demonstrations by Penns Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be taking place. All participants are also welcome to explore this destination on their own during these times (participation in a guided hike is optional).

Difficulty Level: This adventure can be easily accommodated for all ages and fitness levels. Guided hikes will range from 1 to 2 miles in length on a wide and even trail, with very little elevation change. Email info@centredoutdoors.org with any questions about preparing for this adventure.

Planning to attend this week’s adventures? Here are a few tips:

What to bring:
  • A filled water bottle
  • Sun protection including a hat and sunscreen
  • Bug repellant
  • Comfortable shoes (hiking boots are not necessary)
  • A light snack or picnic lunch

Here are a few additional tips:
  • This is a pet friendly destination. Please keep your pet on a leash and clean up after your pet.
  • Cell phone service is not reliable at this location, and it is recommended that you have a paper copy of directions prior to leaving home.
  • Visitors are reminded of a few simple steps to ensure Penns Creek and all the natural resources at Poe Paddy Tunnel and Poe Paddy State Park remain undisturbed during their visit. Do not take anything home other than photos and memories and leave only footsteps behind. Please carry out and dispose of food wrappers, fruit peels, pet waste, etc. responsibly.
  • Additional safety tips can be found here.
Driving Directions: 

Please note that cell phone service is limited so you may want to print or screenshot your directions before leaving home. Centred Outdoors signs will also be placed along the route.

For GPS: Use this link or enter the following address into googlemaps.com: Ramsey Drive, Woodward, PA 16882

Turn by turn directions:

From Route 45 – This route will have directional signs on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday

  • Turn onto Paradise Rd. and follow until it intersects with Penns Creek Rd. (approximately 5 miles).
  • Turn left following signs to Poe Paddy State Park at Penns Creek Rd. and follow for .5 miles turning right onto Siglerville Millheim Pike.
  • Follow Siglerville Millheim Pike past the Bell’s Majestic Vista and turn left onto Pine Swamp Rd. (approximately 3 miles from Penns Creek Rd).
  • Continue on Pine Swamp Rd., passing the sign for Penn’s View (do not turn left to go to the view) and driving past the Chocolate Drop vista.
  • At the bottom of Pine Swamp Rd., make a sharp left turn onto Poe Paddy Dr.
  • Continue until reaching Poe Paddy State Park.
  • Take a left off of Poe Paddy Drive into the park and follow over the bridge past the restrooms and onto Tunnel Spur Rd.
  • Parking is available at the park or .5 miles further down Tunnel Spur Rd.

From 322 – this route is unmarked until the intersection with Pine Swamp Rd.

  • From the Sand Mountain Road exit either cross over 322 or continue onto Sand Mountain Road. Stay on Sand Mountain Road for 6 miles. Sand Mountain Rd. has numerous branching roads that often look more like the main road than the correct branch. These are as follows:
  • Left past Stillhouse Hollow Rd
  • Right past Main Rd
  • Right past Old Sand Mountain Rd
  • Left past Foust Valley Trail

  • At the end of Sand Mountain Rd., continue to the left on Millheim Siglerville Pike until it intersects with Siglerville Millheim Pike and Poe Valley Road.
  • Continue through the intersection onto Poe Valley Rd. passing Poe Valley State Park (approximately 3 miles).
  • Continue past the intersection with Pine Swamp Rd. where Poe Valley Road turns into Poe Paddy Drive until reaching Poe Paddy State Park.
  • Take a left off of Poe Paddy Drive into the park and follow over the bridge past the restrooms and onto Tunnel Spur Rd.
  • Parking is available at the park or .5 miles further down Tunnel Spur Rd.

Restrooms are available at the State Park before you reach the parking area.
Special thanks to Mount Nittany Health for these health tips!
Upcoming Adventures
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center: August 22, 12-6 pm
Tom Tudek Memorial Park:
September 5, 12-6 pm
ClearWater Conservancy | 814-237-0400 | info@centredoutdoors.org