PA Natural Attractions

Exploring Rider Park in Lycoming County

Collage of four photos from Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, featuring a hiker admiring panoramic valley views, a scenic overlook of Loyalsock Creek, a leaf-covered forest trail marked with a yellow blaze, and the park’s wooden entrance sign surrounded by tall trees.

If you love hiking and scenic views, Rider Park in Lycoming County is a destination well worth exploring.

Expansive view from Katy Jane West Vista at Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, overlooking rolling farmland, scattered homes, and distant ridges under a bright blue autumn sky.

This 867-acre nature preserve, located just north of Williamsport, offers visitors a peaceful escape into the forests and meadows of north-central Pennsylvania.

Expansive wildflower meadow at Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, filled with golden late-season grasses and surrounded by trees showing early autumn color under a bright blue sky.

With 14 miles of well-maintained trails and four stunning overlooks, Rider Park is a place where natural beauty and outdoor recreation come together perfectly.

Trail junction sign at Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, showing directions for the Katy Jane Trail, Saddle Trail, and Scarlet Tanager Trail, surrounded by ferns and colorful autumn forest scenery.

Directions & Hours

Rider Park is located at 1769 Caleb Creek Road, Trout Run, PA 17771.

Rider Park is open daily from dawn to dusk for daytime use only, with all dogs required to be leashed and alcohol or firearms strictly prohibited on-site.

Parking area at Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, featuring a bright red pickup truck parked near a wooden picnic pavilion and trailhead kiosk surrounded by colorful autumn trees under a clear blue sky.

What You’ll See at Rider Park

The park’s trails are well-marked and color-blazed, making it easy for visitors of all experience levels to navigate the rolling terrain.

Trail sign marking the path to Doe Pen Vista along the Francis Kennedy Trail at Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, surrounded by colorful autumn foliage and a leaf-strewn forest path under bright sunlight.

Park maps are available at kiosks in the parking area, and visitors can also download a free digital copy from the official Rider Park website for easy trail navigation.

A map highlighting all the trail, vistas, and amenities at Rider Park in Lycoming County, PA.

Informational signs along the routes provide fascinating insights into the park’s natural history, wildlife, and local heritage, enhancing every hike with a touch of education.

Informational sign about the black birch tree at Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, displayed along a wooded trail surrounded by colorful autumn foliage. The sign explains the tree’s characteristics, uses, and connection to birch beer, with photos of birch leaves and a birch beer bottle for illustration.

One such sign at the Wheeland Family Homestead offers a glimpse into early farm life in the area, while others highlight native trees, birds, and geological features.

Informational sign for the Wheeland Family Homestead at Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, describing early farm life, education, and the design of a traditional bank barn, with stone foundation ruins and benches visible in the background.

Among Rider Park’s many highlights are its four scenic vistas – Doe Pen Vista, Katy Jane East Vista, Katy Jane West Vista, and Loyalsock Creek Vista – each offering a unique perspective of the surrounding valleys and ridges.

Hiker with a backpack and trekking pole standing at Katy Jane West Vista in Rider Park, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, overlooking a patchwork of farmland, forested hills, and distant mountain ridges under a clear blue autumn sky.

From these overlooks, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Loyalsock Creek, distant farmland, and the forested hills that define Lycoming County’s rugged landscape.

Hiker with a backpack and trekking pole standing at Loyalsock Creek Vista in Rider Park, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, overlooking a sweeping valley view with rolling hills, farmland, and the winding creek below on a sunny autumn day.

The Katy Jane Trail leads to two of the park’s most spectacular viewpoints, where interpretive panels explain the region’s geography and even local legends tied to the land.

Informational sign at Katy Jane East Vista in Rider Park, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, describing the view of Loyalsock Gorge, Smith Knob, and the Allegheny Mountain Range, with elevation details and a map highlighting the Ridge and Valley Province.

The Francis X. Kennedy Trail combines moderate hiking with rewarding views and is popular among birdwatchers, thanks to signage describing the park’s avian residents.

Informational sign for the Francis X. Kennedy Trail at Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, featuring details about local bird species, migration patterns, and photos of birds commonly seen along the trail.

Meanwhile, the Green Trail and Cheryl’s Trail wind through shaded woodlands and meadows, offering tranquil routes for both hikers and trail runners.

Trail marker for Cheryl’s Trail at Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, standing beside a leaf-covered woodland path surrounded by colorful early autumn foliage under bright sunlight.

In every direction, fall foliage adds a spectacular burst of color, making autumn one of the most photogenic times to visit.

Informational sign at Katy Jane East Vista in Rider Park, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, overlooking a valley framed by forested mountains and rolling hills under a clear blue sky.

Educational displays, benches, and picnic shelters throughout the park invite visitors to pause and appreciate the scenery.

Remains of the Wheeland Family Homestead at Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, featuring a stone foundation wall, blooming wildflowers, and an informational sign under a bright blue autumn sky.

Best of all, Rider Park is open 365 days a year, ensuring that everyone can experience its beauty in every season.

Panoramic view from Katy Jane East Vista at Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, overlooking a lush valley surrounded by forested mountains under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds.

Final Thoughts

Rider Park exists today thanks to the generosity of the late Thomas J. Rider, who donated this land to the community to share his lifelong love of the outdoors.

Entrance sign for Rider Park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, reading “An area preserved for people to enjoy nature,” positioned beside a quiet tree-lined road surrounded by golden autumn foliage.

His vision has created a lasting legacy – one that continues to inspire hikers, families, and nature enthusiasts to connect with Pennsylvania’s natural wonders.

Scenic overlook at Doe Pen Vista in Rider Park, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, featuring an informational sign, wooden fence, and sweeping views of forested mountains and valleys under a bright blue autumn sky.

Nearby Attractions

11 Must-See Attractions in Lycoming County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near Rider Park.

The Best Things to See and Do in Lycoming County Pennsylvania

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