Happy Valley is packed with so many things to do and see, it can be overwhelming to know where to go and what to do next. Once you’ve made your way through the list of the most popular outdoor adventures, like hiking up Mount Nittany, biking on a gravel road in Rothrock State Forest, and exploring Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park, searching out less well-known adventures is a great next step. Let us help guide you to some new and exciting experiences in underrated spots and unique places for every interest.

The Pennsylvania Forestry Association is proud to host its second annual “Do you know Penn’s Woods?” trivia evening Tuesday August 13, 2024 at Otto’s Pub and Brewery. Seats are available at 5pm and trivia will begin around 6pm.

“Exciting news! Happy Valley Women's Cycling (HVWC) is transforming into a community club in 2025, focusing on inclusivity for female cyclists. This is a fantastic opportunity for more women to join and be part of a supportive cycling community.” -Tanya Campbell.

The days are long and the temperatures are warm, making it the perfect time to get outdoors and explore Centre County’s abundant agricultural offerings. This mid-summer bucket list will get you started, with many destinations part of the Fresh from the Field Trail.

What are the best birding areas in Happy Valley? This would have been a tough question to definitively answer a decade ago, but with the advent of Cornell University’s eBird, the process is simple. EBird keeps track of all submitted checklists and compiles the results by state, county, and local hotspots.

One thing that I love about Pennsylvania is its wealth of public hunting grounds. Happy Valley and the surrounding area have more than their fair share of the public land pie. Public land open to hunting includes state game lands that are managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and state forest lands, which are operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). DCNR also handles state parks, many of which are also open to hunting.

The streams in Happy Valley are legendary for their pristine water, and it doesn’t happen by accident. Clearwater Conservancy is dedicated to conserving and restoring our natural resources through land conservation, water resources stewardship, and environmental outreach across central Pennsylvania.

Happy Valley has many beautiful vistas, with the Allegheny Front to the north and several ridges running through the area. Several can be found with an easy drive to a parking lot, whereas some require some rubbernecking while driving, and still others can only be viewed after a challenging hike. What follows is not a complete list, but rather a taste of what is available.

Embark on underground adventures with three local cave tours at Woodward Cave, Lincoln Caverns and Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park. Each provides its own unique experience, amenities, and onsite activities the entire family can enjoy.