It's never too early to take tick precautions. May is the most active time for ticks in Pennsylvania, and with the mild winter, we have already been in the midst of tick season for some time. Ticks will remain active throughout the summer and into the fall.

As the organizer of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association annual conference, I was stuck indoors while the rest of the attendees got to enjoy the outdoor adventures that Happy Valley has to offer. As the conference concluded, I breathed a sigh of relief of a job well done. The major duties of organizing the event were in the rearview mirror, and the weight of responsibility was lifted by the members, who continually remarked about how much they enjoyed the event that took place in Happy Valley.

“We never intended to stay here,” Troy Weston and Melissa Hombosky said about their move to Happy Valley in 2002. “We just forgot to leave.” There seems to be a little more to the story than forgetting to leave.

The wedding bells are ringing here in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania! As wedding season blooms alongside the tulips, crocuses and daffodils, brides and grooms are getting ready to tie the knot at some of Happy Valley’s most unique venues. Whether you long to be surrounded by grandeur or you have ambitions of a simple, intimate affair, there is no shortage of options here in Happy Valley. Provided you’ve left time to plan, of course! Venues for those special dates book fast, but be sure to check out some of these unique venues in your search for the perfect place to say, “I do!”

2023 will be the first full year for the new mountain bike
skills park at Harvest Fields, providing an outdoor recreation resource unique to the region and fit for riders of all ages.

Exercise and spending time in nature are both scientifically proven to improve people’s physical and mental well-being, so it’s no wonder a place known as “Happy Valley” is a wonderland for all types of outdoor recreation. It’s also a great place to meet and befriend outdoor recreationalists of all stripes. Below, we talk to a handful of outdoor adventurers about how they enjoy the natural paradise that is Happy Valley:

Whether it is fishing, walking or bird watching, the Soaring Eagle Wetlands between Port Matilda and Julian in Huston Township provide access for people of all mobility levels. The property, in two parcels, is owned by State College based Wildlife for Everyone Foundation.

Tussey, Nittany, Bald Eagle – Six mountains and the Allegheny Front traverse Happy Valley. All provide excellent opportunities to view picturesque valleys from constructed or happenstance vistas. Vistas can be hard-earned at the end of a rugged hike or a beautiful view that you discover while driving around the county.

Snow Shoe’s Rails to Trails continues to grow by leaps and bounds. In December of 2021, the SSRTA was notified that it would be receiving grant funding through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Those grants totaled $258,600, which enabled the group to purchase three key pieces of equipment that will help maintain the trail.