Outdoor Activities

The Hershey & Harrisburg region offers an impressive range of outdoor activities for every skill level and pace. You can hike forested ridgelines with sweeping views of the Susquehanna Valley, kayak the wide Susquehanna River and its tributaries like Swatara Creek, or mountain bike rugged singletrack terrain that draws riders from across the East Coast. The region also has disc golf courses, peaceful fishing holes on limestone-fed streams, and beautifully maintained local parks like Wildwood Park and Little Buffalo State Park.

Yes — the Hershey & Harrisburg region has hiking trails for every experience level, including trails specifically curated for families with young children and first-time hikers. Wildwood Park features elevated boardwalk trails through scenic wetlands that are easy to navigate and kid-friendly. The region's trail guides also include dog-friendly routes and scenic overlook hikes for those who want a rewarding view at the end of the trail.

The waters surrounding Hershey and Harrisburg are a paddler's dream. The broad Susquehanna River offers scenic multi-hour paddling routes that pass historic landmarks, while Swatara Creek provides a more intimate waterway experience suited for beginners and casual paddlers alike. Kayaking resources for the region cover routes for all experience levels, from a first-time kayaker to seasoned paddlers looking for a new route. You'll find details on put-ins, take-outs, and what to expect on each waterway so you can show up ready to paddle.

Absolutely — and the trails back it up. The Hershey & Harrisburg region has earned a genuine reputation among East Coast mountain bikers. Rattling Creek's IMBA Epic singletrack in Weiser State Forest is a bucket-list ride for serious cyclists, and Stony Valley's 19-mile rail trail runs through Pennsylvania's second-largest roadless wilderness. For those who prefer something more accessible, urban trail networks connect neighborhoods and landmarks throughout Harrisburg, and smooth rail trails are perfect for a leisurely family ride. The biking resource covers every type of trail with details to help you plan your ride.

The Hershey & Harrisburg region is a legitimately great fishing destination that often surprises first-time visitors. The Susquehanna River is renowned across Pennsylvania for exceptional smallmouth bass fishing, drawing anglers throughout the warm-weather months. Spring-fed limestone streams in the region offer pristine fly-fishing conditions sought out by anglers from across the country. Whether you prefer wading a quiet creek or casting from a riverbank at sunrise, the region's digital fishing guide points you to the best holes and what to expect when you get there.

The Hershey & Harrisburg region is well-stocked with green spaces for outdoor exploration. Wildwood Park in Harrisburg features elevated boardwalk trails winding through protected wetlands — a peaceful escape right in the city. Detweiler Park offers expansive open-space vistas, and Little Buffalo State Park packs trails, a swimming pool, and historic sites into one recreational hub. Parks are distributed throughout the region, making it easy to build outdoor time into any itinerary. The state and local park guide has details on every park to help you plan your visit.

The Hershey & Harrisburg region has a growing and enthusiastic disc golf community — and the courses to match. The Wiconisco Creek Disc Golf Course offers a scenic layout that winds along the creek, while Shank Park near Hershey features an expansive course that gives players plenty of room to play. One particularly useful feature of the regional disc golf guide: hole-by-hole video shorts let you preview each course before you play, so you can scope your lines, choose your disc, and arrive ready to compete.

Central PA's Hershey and Harrisburg region delivers more outdoor adventure than most visitors expect. The region sits at the convergence of Appalachian ridgelines, wide river corridors, forested state lands, and accessible urban green spaces — creating a genuinely diverse outdoor landscape within easy driving distance of major mid-Atlantic cities. Hikers, mountain bikers, kayakers, anglers, and disc golfers all find purpose-built experiences here. Whether you're planning a full outdoor weekend or adding a few hours of nature to a broader trip, Central PA rewards the curious adventurer.