![Exploring-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Penn-State Exploring the Shaver's Creek Environmental Center near State College, PA.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Exploring-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Penn-State-696x365.jpg)
Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center is a Penn State owned and operated nature preserve, aviary, and wildlife learning center, located just 12 miles outside of State College in rural Huntingdon County.
![Map to Shaver's Creek Environmental Center near State College, PA.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Map-to-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-from-State-College-PA.jpg)
Adjacent to the Stone Valley Recreation Area, Shaver’s Creek main draw is the opportunity to see PA wildlife in an up close and personal fashion.
![A resident bald eagle at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Bald-Eagle-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-near-Satte-College-PA.jpg)
In particular, the recently-renovated Klingsberg Aviary has more than 20 non-releasable birds of prey that live on-site, including many species of owls, hawks, and eagles.
![The Klingsberg Aviary at Shaver's Creek.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Aviary-at-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-near-State-College-PA.jpg)
Admission is free and Shaver’s Creek is open everyday from mid-February through mid-December; in case of inclement weather it would be prudent to call ahead at 814-863-2000 to confirm before visiting.
![Shaver's Creek Environmental Center entrance sign.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Entrance-Sign-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
How to Find Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center
Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center is located at 3400 Discovery Road, Petersburg, PA 16669.
![Shaver's Creek is part of Penn State's Stone Valley Recreation Area in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Penn-State-Sign-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
If navigating by GPS, use coordinates 40.667459, -77.909994 to find the Shaver’s Creek parking lot.
![The entrance to Shaver's Creek Environmental Center outside State College, PA.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/How-to-Find-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center.jpg)
The Best Things to Do at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center
The main office and headquarters at Shaver’s Creek is this lodge-like building pictured below.
![Main office building at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Office-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
Inside, you’ll find the Discovery Room, home to many live amphibians and reptiles, all native PA wildlife.
![Reptile and amphibian exhibits at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Amphibians-and-Reptiles-exhibit-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
There are also plenty of interactive displays that teach visitors more about Pennsylvania’s native wildlife.
![Educational display inside Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Educational-Exhibits-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
Exiting the back of the Discovery Room, you’ll encounter the big draw at Shaver’s Creek – the Aviary.
![The Aviary at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center in Huntingdon County, PA.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Aviary-at-Shavers-Creek-Penn-State-Huntingdon-County-PA.jpg)
Visiting the Aviary at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center
The recently-renovated Klingsberg Aviary is a series of large, parallel enclosures, each housing a Pennsylvania bird of prey.
![The aviary enclosures at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Aviary-Enclosures-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
Ever wondered how your wingspan stacks up against a mature turkey vulture?!
![Turkey vulture wingspan display at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Aviary-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
The birds housed at the Aviary are here because of injuries that would prevent them from surviving in the wild.
![Explanation of why birds are at the Shaver's Creek Aviary in Huntingdon County, PA.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Aviary-at-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Mission-Statement-Huntingdon-County.jpg)
You won’t have many opportunities to get closer to a mature bald eagle than you will at Shaver’s Creek!
![A bald eagle at Shaver's Creek in Huntingdon County.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Penn-State-Bald-Eagle-Close-Up-Huntingdon-County-PA.jpg)
Informational storyboards outside each enclosure give you a brief introduction to the various resident raptors.
![Bald Eagle enclosure at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Aviary-Bald-Eagle-Exhibit-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
The barred owls are another favorite species of mine at the Aviary.
![Barred owls at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Owls-at-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Penn-State.jpg)
Barred owls are one of the primary owls you hear “hooting” if you camp overnight in PA’s forests.
![Barred Owl enclosure at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Aviary-Barred-Owl-Exhibit-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
The Great Horned Owl at the Aviary looks like an extra from a Harry Potter movie!
![Great Horned Owl at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Owl-Huntingdon-County-PA.jpg)
A mature Great Horned Owl can have a wingspan of up to 5 feet!
![Great Horned Owl enclosure at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Aviary-Great-Horned-Owl-Exhibit-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
There are many other species housed here, including hawks, vultures, and falcons.
![Aviary enclosures at Penn State's Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Aviary-at-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Penn-State.jpg)
Hiking at Shaver’s Creek
Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center is home to approximately 6 miles of trails, with the Lake Trail being the longest at 2.9 miles.
![Shaver's Creek Environmental Center is home to some of the best hikes near State College.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Hiking-the-Shavers-Creek-Trails-Near-State-College-PA.jpg)
A series of boardwalks along the Lake Trail allows you to explore the marshy northeast east end of Lake Perez.
![Boardwalk along the Lake Trail at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center near State College Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Hiking-at-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Lake-Trail-Boardwalk.jpg)
And being that this is an educational center, you’ll find lots of interesting and informative signs along many of the trails at Shaver’s Creek.
![The Unseen World of Lakes display along the Lake Trail at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center near State College Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Hiking-at-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Unseen-World-of-Lakes-Exhibit.jpg)
The Twin Bridges Trail is a favorite of mine, named for a pair of bridges over Shaver’s Creek.
![The Twin Bridges Trail at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center near State College Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Twin-Bridges-Trail-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Huntingdon-County-PA.jpg)
Near the northern end of the Twin Bridges Trail you’ll find the “Litter Graveyard”.
![Litter Graveyard along the Twin Bridges Trail at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Hiking-at-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Litter-Graveyard.jpg)
Here you’ll see in exactly how long it takes various types of litter to decompose.
![The Litter Graveyard at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center illustrates how long different types f litter take to decompose.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Hiking-at-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Litter-Graveyard-Glass-Bottles.jpg)
You can download a free PDF guide to the trails at Shaver’s Creek HERE.
![Hiking the Lake Trail at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center near State College PA.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Hiking-the-Lake-Trail-at-Shavers-Creek-Near-State-College-PA.jpg)
Pollinator Gardens at Shaver’s Creek
The grounds around the Nature Center are beautifully landscaped with many colorful pollinator gardens.
![Pollinator Gardens at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Pollinator-Gardens-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
In the summer months, it’s not uncommon to see large numbers of butterflies and bees working the blooms in these gardens.
![Butterfly in one of the pollinator gardens at Shaver's Creek in Huntingdon County.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Huntingdon-County-PA-Butterfly.jpg)
The Pond at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center
One of my personal favorite spots at the Environmental Center is the pond between the parking area and main headquarters building.
![The pond at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Pond-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
While not particularly large, it is teeming with PA wildlife!
![A frog at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center in Huntingdon County.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Huntingdon-County-PA-Frog.jpg)
Common sights there in the summer months are frogs and dragonflies.
![Dragonfly at Shaver's Creek in Penn State's Stone Valley Recreation Area.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Huntingdon-County-Dragonfly.jpg)
Less common, but still possible, are snakes!
![Snakes at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-snakes-Huntingdon-County-PA.jpg)
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking learn about PA wildlife in a more natural (and less-chaotic) setting than you would at a big-city zoo, then it’s hard to beat the free admission, free parking, and up-close experience you get at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center in Huntingdon County!
![Red-tailed hawk enclosure at the Aviary at Shaver's Creek.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Red-tailed-hawk-Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center.jpg)
The wonderfully landscaped grounds make a great getaway for anyone with an interest in PA wildlife and nature, and the recent renovations are reason enough to return, even if you’ve visited in the past.
![The pond and surrounding pollinator gardens at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center outside State College.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Shavers-Creek-Environmental-Center-Pond-and-Pollinator-Gardens.jpg)
Nearby Attractions
Whipple Dam State Park is located just a few minutes from Shaver’s Creek, with the heart of the park being 22 acre Whipple Lake.
![Sunrise at Whipple Dam State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/whipple-dam-state-park-sunrise.jpg)
The Alan Seeger Trail is a short but beautiful loop hike through the Alan Seeger Natural Area in the Rothrock State Forest.
![Long shadows along the Alan Seeger Trail in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Alan-Seeger-Natural-Area-Hiking-Trail-Hemlocks-Huntingdon-County-PA.jpg)
Greenwood Furnace State Park is also located nearby in Huntingdon County.
![Summertime view of the dam at Greenwood Furnace State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Greenwood-Furnace-State-Park-Dam.jpg)
Jo Hays Vista is a nearby roadside overlook on top of Pine Grove Mountain, one of the five best scenic overlooks near State College.
![The view of Penn State campus from Jo Hays Vista.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Jo-Hays-Vista-near-Penn-State.jpg)
The Arboretum at Penn State is a fantastic collection of botanic gardens, fountains, ponds, walking trails, and pollinator habitats all located on the north end of the Penn State main campus in State College.
![Crossing the bridge from Penn State campus towards the Arboretum.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Arboretum-at-Penn-State-Bridge-and-Fountain.jpg)
18 Must-See Attractions in Huntingdon County will introduce you to even more great things to see and do near Shaver’s Creek.
![Exploring Indian Lookout in the Rothrock State Forest.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Exploring-Indian-Lookout-Huntingdon-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
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