The town of Bellefonte is a top destination to sip, stay, and play in Pennsylvania. Located in the scenic Pennsylvania Wilds region, just a short drive from State College and the main campus of Penn State, this historic town (established in 1795) has a long and proud history of hosting guests and boasts a charming Victorian-era historic district, museums, art galleries, dining options, and easy access to outdoor recreation in the mountains and valleys around the town. Every year, more people discover just how much there is to do in Bellefonte and promise to return for more great experiences. Just consider the options for things to do in the great outdoors around Bellefonte.

Mountain Trails

Some of the top mountain biking on the East Coast is located in Rothrock State Forest. As a part of Pennsylvania’s large system of public forests, Rothrock is free for all to enjoy for many recreation activities. Because it’s used for much more than biking, always do your research before you go and make sure to wear safety orange during PA’s hunting seasons.

One of the best access points for this area is the Galbraith Gap Parking Area just outside Boalsburg, about a 20-minute drive south of Bellefonte. From here, you can access multiple trails that can form almost unlimited loops for biking adventures, including the Rothrock Trailmix. This is a challenging 36-mile loop loaded with a variety of ridge-top views, technical riding sections, flow sections, and solid climbs.

If that’s more than you want to tackle, no worries! Check out Spring Creek Canyon for a much more relaxed out-and-back adventure right in Bellefonte’s backyard.

Kayaking

Tussey Mountain Outfitters on Linn St. in Bellefonte next to Spring Creek should be any paddler’s first stop before adventuring out onto the area’s rivers and streams. This full-service kayak and canoe store and outfitter offers expert advice, gear sales and rentals, shuttle service, and guided expeditions along Spring Creek as it flows into Bald Eagle Creek and the Bullit Run Access Area in Bald Eagle State Park.

A highlight of Spring Creek just downstream from the High Street put-in area in Bellefonte is the Sunnyside Paddling Park, which features approximately 30 slalom gates hung on wires stretched across the stream. This feature dates to the mid-1960s, when a local Boy Scout Troop observed the need for better paddling training opportunities for USA paddlers to compete with European canoe slalom teams. The casual paddler can either take advantage of these gates to practice their slalom skills or avoid the gates entirely. However, please don’t bang into the gates or hold on to them, as this can damage the gates.

A typical kayak trip from Bellefonte to Bullit Run Access will take about 3-5 hours, depending on how fast you paddle. Due to some challenging sections on Spring Creek, it’s suggested that less experienced paddlers start their journey at the confluence of Spring Creek and Bald Eagle Creek in Milesburg, for a slightly shorter and smoother journey.

Fishing

Bellefonte is considered one of the top fly-fishing towns in Pennsylvania. You don’t even need to leave the town to fish, as anglers have access to a section of Spring Creek for catch and release fishing within the town itself, and continuing upstream of Bellefonte, Spring Creek Canyon provides a picturesque oasis for anglers, including the Fisherman’s Paradise Area. And, there are many more prime trout streams within a short drive of town: Penns Creek, Fishing Creek, Spruce Creek, and the Little Juniata River all offer great fishing opportunities. You can also combine kayaking with fishing, allowing access to areas unreachable by anglers on foot.

All these areas are known for their year-round fly fishing opportunities thanks to the natural springs that feed them, providing pure water and a perfect habitat for wild trout. Whatever time of year you visit, no angler should miss the chance to wet their lines in Bellefonte’s streams.

Outdoor Adventure Expo 2024

The Outdoor Adventure Expo highlights Bellefonte’s beautiful and easily accessible natural assets while showcasing regional vendors, nonprofits, and businesses that specialize in outdoor and recreation-related products. This year’s expo is set to be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2, in Talleyrand Park.

This is a free-admission, regional event to promote nature-based tourism and commerce. This event also serves as a fundraiser for Downtown Bellefonte, Inc. to aid in its economic development initiatives.

The Outdoor Adventure Expo will feature adventure-based nonprofits, makers, and vendors. The event also offers free workshops on topics like kayaking, fly fishing, milkweed seed balls, cooking demonstrations, beekeeping, backpacking, hammock camping, and camping gear basics. In addition, historic walking tours and croquet games will be offered. Previous events have boasted an estimated 2,500-3,000 attendees with more than 60 vendors participating.

Interested in learning more about Bellefonte's, its history, the best places to stay, and more? Check out Bellefonte.com to prepare for your next visit.