The Rediscover State College
Get Outside Guide: September
By: Andrea Murrell and Laura Mustio
From simply stepping out for a breath of fresh air to tackling the Thousand Steps, if you’d like to find yourself outside in State College more often, this guide is for you.
This month, you’ll notice:
• Soaring Beauty Hawks and other birds are beginning their migration!
• Plenty to be Picky About Apples enter their peak season along with pears, pumpkins, plums, and peppers.
• Ideal Time to Coast You might find yourself skipping the long lines and unbearable heat by visiting a nearby amusement park on the weekend!
Outdoor Highlights: September
Photo credit: Henry T. McLin, CC
Stunning Vistas – Feathered Friends – Hiking and Heights
Hike to New Heights for Hawks
Happy Valley has been called Hockey Valley, but is it also Hawk-y Valley? The best way to find out is by taking a trip to the Stone Mountain Hawk Watch platform in Rothrock State Forest between September and November. Here, you can be one with the clouds on top of a mountain and see large numbers of hawks and other migrating birds heading south. Due to the unique geography of our region’s mountain ridges, central Pennsylvania is an ideal location to witness the beauty of migrating hawks at eye level.
The exact number of hawks that soar through the area each year is meticulously documented thanks to citizen science efforts. The number and species of migrating birds is closely tracked and recorded during the season and volunteers play a huge role in this effort. If you visit the hawk watch platform in the fall, you’ll likely spot dedicated volunteers counting and documenting details of the birds as they fly by.
How to get there and when: The Hawk Watch is located within Rothrock State Forest in Allensville, PA, which is a 40-minute drive directly south of State College. You can enter “Stone Mountain Hawk Watch Parking” on Google Maps for exact directions. This will take you nearly to the top of Stone Mountain and you’ll see signage in the parking lot with information about the vista. From the parking area, you’ll walk approximately ⅓ miles along the ridge top trail’s rocky terrain to the hawk watching platform. Once you get to the platform, prepare for jaw-dropping views of the region as you stand eye level with soaring hawks and other feathered friends.
In terms of timing, plan to visit during the months of September, October, and November. It’s best to go between 10 and 11 am or 3 and 4 pm when the birds are taking advantage of thermal activity in the air.
Nearby and not-to-be-missed: The Standing Stone Trail (SST) stretches an impressive 85 miles in total length, from Cowans Gap State Park in southcentral Pennsylvania all the way to Detweiler Run Natural Area in Rothrock State Forest, south of Boalsburg. So while the trek to the Hawk Watch is just 0.3 miles, consider exploring the SST in either direction while you’re there! You can access maps, tips, and information about the trail here.
Enjoyability recommendations: It’s worth doing a quick gear check in addition to checking the weather and your directions prior to heading out on this adventure. Do you have your binoculars, sunscreen, layered clothing, and possibly a hiking pole or two? You can find these items and more at Appalachian Outdoors, a locally-owned outdoor store in downtown State College that carries everything you’d ever need to survive and thrive outside.
You’ll also want to BYOP (bring your own picnic), as restaurants are few and far between after you pass through Pine Grove Mills.
Lastly, there are no restroom facilities at this location or anywhere nearby, so plan accordingly.
Other things to note: If you visit Stone Mountain Hawk Watch and catch the birding bug, you might love a longer adventure to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, located 2.5 hours from State College in Kempton, PA. In addition to awe-inspiring vistas to view hawks and other raptors as they migrate during the fall, the Sanctuary includes a visitor center with ADA accessible restrooms and regularly offers educational events and programming for people of all ages. And yes, Stone Mountain Hawk Watch and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary can easily be confused for each other since the names are similar! Learn more
FUN FACT: Have you ever noticed a group of hawks circling together high up in the sky? This is called a “kettle of hawks” because the swirling motion hints at hot water boiling and swirling around in a pot, or kettle!
Flying high on a ride at DelGrosso’s Amusement Park
Fly High – Beat the Heat – Whee-kend Fun
Embrace the Coolest Month for Amusement Parks
September is a wonderful time to visit state and national parks, but it might also be the sweetest season for spending an easy breezy day at an amusement park! While thousands of people flock to Hershey Park, DelGrosso’s Amusement Park, Knoebels, and Kennywood all summer long, you can also visit them on weekends throughout the month of September. What’s not to love about a roller coaster or carousel ride after school starts and the weather is cooling down a bit? Even better, you are likely to pay a little less for admission and parking than you would during regular summer hours. Here’s a quick rundown of Happy Valley’s closest amusement parks and what makes each of them special!
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park (35 min drive from State College)
4352 E Pleasant Valley Boulevard, Tipton, PA 16684
Relaxed & Walkable: DelGrosso’s is relatively small compared to larger parks such as Hersheypark, making it easy to find your way around without exhausting your legs! Parents especially appreciate that the section of the park with rides for the youngest kids is located right at the park entrance. Despite its smaller size, there are over 30 rides to enjoy throughout the park.
Unique Features: What do spaghetti sauce and an amusement park have in common? In the case of DelGrosso’s they have both been owned and operated by the same family in the same town of Tipton, PA since the mid 1900’s! This interesting business combination has benefited the park in many ways, including the creation of the only Italian-themed water park in the United States, and the high standard for locally-sourced, reasonably-priced food options that are truly a step above your typical park fare.
Admission & Parking: Day passes (unlimited rides) and ride tickets can only be purchased at the park gates in September and are not available online. You’re not required to purchase a pass or ride tickets to enter the park if you don’t plan to ride any rides. Parking is free, and the parking lot and ticket booth are both located across the street from the park. All day ride passes cost less in September when compared to summer rates and are especially discounted during their Harvestfest Weekend in late September (less than $10 per person). Leave your swimsuit at home after Labor Day, as the water park closes for the season the day after!
Knoebels Amusement Park (1 hr 40 min drive from State College)
391 Knoebels Boulevard, Elysburg, PA 17824
Classic, Clean & Charming: Knoebels celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2026. The park is the largest free admission park in the United States, meaning guests only need to purchase tickets and passes to ride the rides. The park is remarkably well-maintained for its age and the older trees throughout the park provide lovely shade on warmer days. With 60 rides to choose from, Knoebels is significantly larger than DelGrosso’s but still smaller than Hersheypark and Kennywood.
Unique Features: Knoebels is also home to a 100-year old carousel with a very rare operational brass ring game. After a ride on this colorful piece of history, visit the Knoebles Carousel Museum for a fascinating look at how these whimsical handcarved wooden horses evolved over the years. Other unique features include a mining museum and a resident Bald Eagle in a special habitat where you can learn all about our national bird.
Admission & Parking: Everyone can enter the park for free. Attendees planning to ride the rides can purchase books of ride tickets or a Ride All Day pass for unlimited rides. Parking is always free and shuttle service is available between parking lots and the park.
Hersheypark (1 hr 45 min drive from State College)
100 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
Spacious & Sweet: Hersheypark is on the larger side with 70 rides for all ages, 15 of which are roller coasters! The park also includes ZooAmerica, an 11-acre zoo, all set in a fun town with plenty of shopping, restaurants, and lodging. With so much to explore in Hershey, PA, you can easily make a whole weekend of it!
Unique Features: Get ready for your sweet tooth to be activated because absolutely everything throughout the park is delightfully chocolate and candy-themed! Additionally, Hershey’s Chocolate World is located outside of the park gates and home to the entertaining and informative Hershey’s Chocolate Tour ride. The experience is free, although you will walk through a massive gift shop stocked floor to ceiling with candy and souvenirs on your way in and out!
Admission & Parking: All park tickets include entrance to the amusement park as well as ZooAmerica (plus the water park if visiting in the summer). Parking is available for a separate fee. When planning a fall visit, check the Hersheypark at Halloween page on the website for a full list of offerings and events throughout the fall (not just Halloween).
Kennywood (2 hr 30 min drive from State College)
4800 Kennywood Boulevard, West Mifflin, PA 15122
Ride Through the Past & Present: Kennywood is a perfect blend of nostalgia and tummy-tickling fun. The park is home to some of the oldest rollercoasters in the United States as well as plenty of newer rides that will more than satisfy any thrill seeker.
Unique Features: Kennywood has been in operation for more than 125 years and was designated as a registered National Historic Landmark in 1987. The park scores plenty of nostalgia points for those who have been visiting throughout their lives, with attractions like Noah’s Ark walk-through experience (built in 1936), the Jack Rabbit rollercoaster (built in 1920), and the Old Mill (opened in 1901) remaining nearly unchanged over the past century.
Admission & Parking: Check Kennywood’s Phantom Fall Fest page for special park rates and events for all September and October weekends. There are some free parking sections in the park’s lot, but fees are charged for closer spaces.
Other Happenings to Look Out For in August
Crickfest
Hosted by the Penns Valley Conservation Association, Crickfest is an entirely outdoor event held annually in Penns Valley along jaw-droppingly beautiful Penns Creek. The event kicks off with a 5K/10K walk/run along the stream, then steps into high gear with countless activities, vendors, and educational opportunities for everyone. From rubber ducky races to plant sales and live music, this is one of those afternoons you won’t want to end because the vibe has truly been perfected here. The best part is that your attendance supports PVCA’s educational programs that have been enriching local schools and the community for decades. Learn more
Pick a Peck
Tis the season to pick your own apples for snacking, baking, cooking, and maybe even sipping! Head to Way Fruit Farm or Harner Farm to pick yours right from the tree or head to a nearby farmer’s market to skip that step and get right to the indulging. And don’t forget the cider! You can find plenty of local ciders, regular and hard, at grocery stores, farms, and markets. For adults, consider a trip to 814 Cider Works along Route 45 between Boalsburg and Pine Grove Mills for a scenic place to sip on fresh hard cider while enjoying live music and food trucks on the weekends.
Free Guided Outdoor Adventures
Guided group outings are a great way to meet new people, explore new places, and get some fresh air. With Centred Outdoors (spelled for Centre County), people of all ages and abilities can attend a variety of hikes, adventures, and learning opportunities at no cost. Keep an eye on their event calendar to see where Centred Outdoors, a program of ClearWater Conservancy, will be exploring next! Learn more
LION Bash
Living In One Neighborhood (LION) Bash is a community resource fair and block party held annually in early September. The free event is held on the 100-300 blocks of South Allen Street and the whole community is invited for this high-energy, upbeat celebration of the benefits of a healthy and positive connection between Penn State University and State College communities. Learn more
The Great Insect Fair
Exploring the wild world of insects, arachnids, and caterpillars may not be for everyone, but the Great Insect Fair held annually at the Penn State Ag Arena can turn almost anyone into an admirer of all things that creep and crawl! There is so much to learn from the hundreds of experts at this highly anticipated event hosted by Penn State’s Department of Entomology. Learn more
Plus!
• Watch the DCNR Fall Foliage Map: According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, “Pennsylvania offers one of the longest and most varied fall foliage seasons in the world.” You’ll never have to worry about missing peak color when you follow DNCR’s weekly Fall Foliage Reports. They’re released every Thursday during peak foliage season on their website and social media. Learn more
• Penn State Fall Sports: Penn State football tickets may be hard to come by, but during the fall semester you can attend many other outdoor sporting events at no cost. Cheer on the men’s and women’s soccer teams, as well as the lacrosse and field hockey teams starting this month! Learn more
• Happy Valley Town Series: Participate or bring your community cheerleading spirit to these fun, low pressure short-course running and biking races for all ages. (Kids as young as 3 have had a blast participating in past races!) The series takes place over three Wednesdays in September and includes live entertainment and family fun under the lights at Tussey Mountain. Learn more
• Rooted Farmstead’s Fall Market: For a slightly more adult-skewed autumnal experience, consider a well-spent day at this outdoor market, held each September. In the farm’s words, “If pumpkin spice lattes were an event, this would be it – flowers, pumpkins, and all things fall!” Learn more
• Elk Viewing in Benzonette, PA: Head just an hour and a half north for an unforgettable elk-viewing experience. In September and October, in the northern region of the state known as the Pennsylvania Wilds, visitors from far and wide come to view the largest elk herd in the northeastern United States. Learn more
FUN FACT: Elk can be more than twice the size of a typical deer! A mature elk can weigh between 700 and 1,000 pounds and stand about five feet tall.
Lots more to come!
We’ll release the October edition of the Get Outside Guide soon. In the meantime, let us know if there are other September highlights we should include and…
we’ll see you outside!
Andrea Murrell’s writing is inspired by nature and all the people she’s lucky to know and love. She especially enjoys exploring how connections between the natural world and local creatives shape the character of the region she’s so fortunate to call home.
Laura Mustio made her way to State College via Pittsburgh in 2015. Her writing celebrates our area’s hidden gems, treasured locals, and not-to-be-missed experiences.
