Explore the Area
Much of the population in surrounding communities like Belleville are Amish or Mennonite. Belleville is five miles over the mountains from Greenwood Furnace State park in the beautiful Big Valley. The Amish and Mennonite residents of the valley tend small farms and travel using horse and buggy. One of the best times to visit is on a Wednesday, when the valley is a seven-mile-long flea market and livestock auction. Larger towns of Lewistown, located 20 miles south of the park, and State College, offer a variety of shops and places to eat. State College is also home to Penn State University.
Learn about some of the area businesses and things to do from the Juniata Valley Chamber of Commerce(opens in a new tab), and the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County Website(opens in a new tab).
Nearby State Parks and Forests
Greenwood Furnace State Park is close to several state parks and two state forests, where visitors can enjoy recreation, education, and other activities.
Canoe Creek State Park
The 961-acre Canoe Creek State Park features a 155-acre lake, wetlands, old fields, and mature forests, which provide critical habitat for migrating birds and other wildlife.
The lake is popular for fishing year-round. Hikers enjoy the trails that wind through the many habitats. Picnicking, swimming at the beach, enjoying educational programs, and staying the night in a modern cabin are also popular activities.
Penn-Roosevelt State Park
The 41-acre Penn-Roosevelt State Park is in an isolated area of the Seven Mountains region known as the Stone Creek Kettle. While this Centre County park is small in size, it is surrounded by an 80,000-acre block of Rothrock State Forest. Penn-Roosevelt is a good base for those seeking low-density recreation on this vast expanse of public land.
Whipple Dam State Park
The 256-acre Whipple Dam State Park is a delightful and quiet place to visit. The lake is the perfect place to indulge in a refreshing dip, bird watch, or just relax. The beautiful day-use area is a wonderful place for a picnic or a walk.
Bald Eagle State Forest
The 193,424-acre Bald Eagle State Forest(opens in a new tab) lies in the beautiful ridge and valley section of the state and is adjacent to Bald Eagle State Park. The forest district is dominated by a series of sandstone ridges some of which reach heights of 2,300 feet above sea level.
Bald Eagle State Forest offers more than 200 miles of hiking trails, and opportunities for mountain biking, horse riding, ATV riding, picnicking, fishing, camping, and cross-country skiing.
Rothrock State Forest
The 96,975-acre Rothrock State Forest(opens in a new tab) is named for Dr. Joseph Trimble Rothrock, a native of Mifflin County and the commonwealth’s first forestry commissioner. He is recognized as the “Father of Forestry” in Pennsylvania. Rothrock State Forest is spread across the rugged ridges of Huntingdon County, Centre County, and Mifflin County.
Other Nearby Outdoor Spaces and Natural Places
The park is within Rothrock State Forest, which contains the Alan Seeger Natural Area. Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center is 13 miles to the west.
Pennsylvania Heritage Areas
Heritage Areas protect, enhance, and promote Pennsylvania’s historic, natural, cultural, and scenic resources.
In the Lumber Heritage Region(opens in a new tab), roughly 2 million acres of public lands give both wildlife and humans room to roam. Unsurpassed beauty, natural treasures, rich history, and outdoor adventure can be found here.