Name: Walk in Penn's Woods 2025
Start: 2025-10-05T13:00:00-04:00
Location: Barbour Rock Trail-Off Road

The Tioga Forest District and the Tioga County Woodland Owners Association (TCWOA) in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Forestry Association invite area residents and visitors to participate in Tioga County’s 2025 Walk in Penn’s Woods, Sunday, October 5, 1 pm, at the Barbour Rock parking, Colton Road, Gaines, PA.
After a short introduction to the Walk in Penn’s Woods program, hikers will be invited to travel along the 7/10s of a mile Barbour Rock Trail to the famous tourist attraction, the Barbour Lookout which features a panoramic view of the Pine Creek Valley. Along the trail, Isaac Leach, Tioga Forest District’s Service Forester, will point out various plants common to the Tioga Forest area.
The local walk is part of a state wide effort to set aside a special day to help families connect with and appreciate local forests. The idea of setting aside a special day to honor our forests was sparked by Centre County woodlands owner, Ruth Parks, who, in 2016, while guiding a group through her woodlands spoke passionately about her wish that all Pennsylvania residents would have the opportunity to get out in the woods for at least one day. The plea was heard by the Pennsylvania Forestry Association who took up the challenge and in 2017, sponsored the first walk with 1000 participants.
Water and refreshments will be provided by the TCWOA. For families and individuals wishing to become involved in an additional activity, the TCWOA will sponsor a sensory journaling activity where individuals can spend some time in the woods using their sense of hearing, sight, touch and smell to describe their forest experience. Participants will be invited to share their experiences with the group.
Road signs will be posted. Planning on attending? Please contact the Tioga Forest District or the TCWOA websites. The trail is handicapped accessible and passes through a beautiful second growth forest on the way to the rim of the canyon.