This column originally appeared in the September 2025 issue of Town&Gown magazine.
Rothrock State Forest has many special areas that I explore often, such as cliffs near Shingletown Gap, the Little Flat and Greenwood fire towers and the wonderful section of the Mid State Trail that meanders from south to north (or north to south, depending on how you look at it), along with many more spectacular places.
Recently, I was reminded of a very special place in the Centre Region that I have not explored in a while — Bear Meadows Natural Area. It was just added to the national Old-Growth Forest Network and, after reading that news, I had to go check it out again.
Founded in 2012, the Old-Growth Forest Network educates the public about the ecological benefits of old-growth forests and supports their preservation, speaking out regarding immediate threats to specific ancient forests. It currently includes 305 forests in 39 states. Bear Meadows is the 39th forest area in Pennsylvania to earn the distinction.
Bear Meadows was added because the 350-acre old-growth mountain bog forest in Rothrock State Forest “protects an entire high mountain fen wetland, which is a unique, rare ecosystem in Pennsylvania,” according to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Indeed, Bear Meadows in a unique place, and I just like the description: “high mountain fen wetland.” It makes me think of the peat bogs of the Scottish Highlands.
I know firsthand that the area is a wetland. I recall running a trail race that included a section around the bog the day after a big thunderstorm. The trail was basically just a long puddle — splash, splash, splash, don’t bother trying to keep your feet dry, just run on through.
This time I was glad to hike the loop around the bog on a relatively dry morning (it did start raining on my drive home from the trail) because I was hiking with my dog, Peggy. Like certain horses, Peggy is a mudder. She just can’t help herself when she has a chance to run through it.
To get to the Bear Meadows Loop trailhead from State College, head east on Route 322 past Boalsburg and turn right on (you guessed it) Bear Meadows Road. Follow Bear Meadows Road for five miles past Tussey Mountain resort, the Galbraith Gap parking area and many other trailheads and cabins, and you are there. Drive slowly down the road because many bikers and runners traverse that road too, including me (please don’t hit me). Also, it is beautiful, so take it all in.
Peggy and I arrived at the trailhead mid-morning on a humid July day. There were a few other cars in the parking lot, including one with a group of mushroom hunters.
Near the parking area is a plaque noting the dedication of the area as a National Natural Landmark back in 1966, plus an information stand. The Bear Meadows Trail is to the left of the parking lot. To make a loop, you must connect with a few other trails along the way.
At the trailhead there is a nice break where some (kind-of) clear water enters the fen wetland and you can look out across the vast natural area.
As we set off on our adventure around the bog, I was happy to note that many rhododendrons (had to use spell check on that one) were still in bloom. This beautiful plant is found in many a garden around town because of its white and pink flowers that bloom in late spring. But in the woods, they bloom a little later.
The Bear Meadows trail is often a wall of rhododendrons on either side, sometimes crossing over to form a tunnel. It is indeed a beautiful site to behold.
As we traveled through the walls of plants, every once in a while we would come to a clearing where you could view across the wetlands to look for birds or other wildlife. Other times you can view the large old-growth northern hardwood trees, mixed oak species, and Eastern hemlocks.
Because this is a wetland, you are bound to run across some mud on your journey, even on dry days. Peggy, of course, found her share and decided it would help her cool down (it was bath time when we got home). There are also many small feeder streams that fed the wetlands.
The trail is mostly gentle around Bear Meadows, but there are other trails that connect to it that will take you up the ridge so you can look down upon the wetlands and see how it contrasts with the landscape around it.
If you stay on the Bear Meadows Trail, you will eventually make your way to North Meadows Road at about mile 2.3. Here you take a left and follow the old dirt road for about 0.6 miles until you come across Jean Aron Path. You hang another right here and follow it back to the parking area.
This loop adds up to about 3.5 miles that pass quickly as you make your way around. I was happy to be there with the summer flowers, but fall is an excellent time to see the colors all around the forest.
Because of some forward-thinking people, this area was protected as a natural place many years ago. Now, as part of the national Old-Growth Forest Network, it has another distinction upon it, and it is all here for us to explore right in our backyard. Just don’t wear sandals. T&G
Vincent Corso loves exploring the outdoors in Central Pennsylvania and beyond.
