MILROY — Outdoor enthusiasts might call Reeds Gap State Park in Milroy the “most remote state park in Pennsylvania,” but those same individuals consider it the perfect place to escape.

Offering a tranquil outdoor experience with hiking, wildlife watching and seasonal camping, it’s easy to spend a day in nature, far from the sounds of car engines and honking horns.

Reeds Gap is a quiet gem of a park,” said Kylie Orndorf, environmental education specialist for the Reeds Gap State Park Complex, which includes Poe Paddy and Poe Valley state parks. “So many reminisce on the pool that used to be in the park, and while it is sad to lose this facility, there is still so much at Reeds Gap for people to enjoy. Without the pool, it’s a lot quieter and the small tent-only campground limits a lot of activity.

“With that said, the trails around the park are scenic and relaxing to explore, and there are multiple picnic tables around for people to use and pavilions for larger groups to enjoy. Being so far away from major roads, and being surrounded by the southern edge of Bald Eagle forest, I would consider Reeds Gap remote, and because of that you feel the quiet and peacefulness that being surrounded by nature provides.”

A walk in nature – Reed’s Gap is 220 acres of wilderness in the New Lancaster Valley – is often just what is needed to help life’s stress simply melt away. The large hemlocks and white pines tower cast cool shadows over Honey Creek, which flows through the park, which is located on New Lancaster Valley Road.

One of the first things you’ll likely notice when you arrive at Reeds Gap State Park is the quiet, broken only by the sound of birds tweeting or water in creeks rushing by.

“The sound of Honey Creek as it trickles through the park, the birds that pass through or make their homes in the hemlocks along the creek, or the whisper of the Hemlock needles on a breezy day all evoke the sense of tranquility that only are remote parks can provide,” Orndorf explained.

With four hiking trails all clocking in at two miles or less, there’s no better way to get to know this tranquil state park, undeniably one of the best state parks in Pennsylvania. The shortest trail, Reeds Gap Spur Trail, is just three-fourths of a mile and is part of the larger Mid State Trail.

Reeds Gap is also offering several Centred Outdoors guided walks – at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17, and 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21. Take a cool and relaxing walk with the park naturalist along Honey Creek under the conifers, discussing this largely coniferous area and the history of the area.

This trail is moderately flat with a few hills and uneven sections. Anyone interested in these walks should meet at Pavilion No. 1.

“Each week the program focuses on a different area and we do multiple hikes there,” Orndorf said.

“On the hike, we’ll be highlighting some of the interesting natural history of the area — the plants and animals that call this area home as well as a little bit of the history of the area and how this park came to be what we see today,” Orndorf added.

She explained the Centred Outdoors Guided walks are held in partnership with Clearwater Conservancy, of State College. Every year they do a Centred Outdoors Guided Walk program at different locations in and around the area throughout the summer. Hence the “centred” term as a play on Centre County (although Milroy is located in Mifflin County).

“For the last few years, I have worked with them to do some guided hikes at the Poe Paddy Tunnel, and this year they reached out to me with the hopes of exploring some new trails and areas so I’m really excited to get people out to experience Reeds Gap State Park,” Orndorf said.

“My hope is that people who have never visited the park, come out and enjoy the hike so much that they want to come back and explore the other trails and other opportunities the park has to offer,” Orndorf added. “Even if people have visited the park, I’m hoping to be able to share some new information or maybe they find enjoyment in the camaraderie of hiking with a group.”

At nearby Poe Valley State Park, in Penn Township, Centre County, and Poe Paddy State Park, in Woodward, Centre County, there are lots of programs scheduled for August:

Poe Valley State Park

Friday, Aug. 15: 7 p.m., trivia night. Meet at the amphitheater.

Friday, Aug. 22: 7 p.m., mammal call bingo. Meet at the amphitheater.

Saturday, Aug. 23: 1 to 3 p.m., beach house table. Held in the beach house breezeway.

Sunday, Aug. 24: 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., explore archery. Meet at the amphitheater.

Friday, Aug. 29: 7:30 p.m., UV night hike. Meet at the amphitheater.

Saturday, Aug. 30: 7 p.m., fact or fiction. Meet at the amphitheater.

Sunday, Aug. 31: 1 p.m., bonfire on the beach. Meet on the beach.

Poe Paddy State Park

Saturday, Aug. 23: 5 p.m., history hike. Meet at the boat launch parking lot.

Admission to most programs is free. Programs might be cancelled for rain or storms.

For more information, visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ website, call (814) 349-2462 or (814) 349-2460 or email korndorf@pa.gov.