Raymond B Winter State Park, and its surroundings of Bald Eagle State Forest, are very pleasant and bucolic. There are seemingly endless woods here, only interrupted by some state forest roads, and a beautiful little CCC era dam and lake, named Halfway Lake, with a pleasant and popular sandy beach and picnic area. Hiking here is solid, and there is even a beautiful scenic overlook that you can drive to or hike to.
The scenic overlook is accessible by road, or through a hike from the main area of the state park, just below. It is located on McCall Dam Road.
RB Winter State Park has direct hiking connections to the Mid-State Trail, and there are also more than 6 miles of hiking trails within the state park itself. The following list from DCNR summarizes the trails:
Bake Oven Trail
0.96 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables
This trail runs in conjunction with the Mid State Trail and takes hikers along the ridge top and through areas of mountain laurel and chestnut oak.
Boiling Spring Trail
1.41 miles | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches
This trail follows the waterline originally installed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Hikers can enjoy dense mountain laurel and ferns in route to the original CCC springhouse.
Brush Hollow Trail
0.73 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail runs in conjunction with the Mid State Trail on the park’s southern border. Hikers will see thick patches of mountain laurel and rhododendron.
Lakeside Trail
0.6 mile | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches
This trail circles Halfway Lake providing great views and passes the first CCC dam built in PA.
Laurel Trail
0.3 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail avoids the steep section of Bake Oven Trail and allows for a more gradual climb up Bake Oven Mountain.
Mid State Trail
1.8 miles in the park | More difficult hiking | Point-to-point trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking
The park is the middle trailhead for central PA's Mid State Trail. Stretching 327 miles from Bedford County in the south to Tioga County in the north, this wilderness footpath mostly covers public lands as it passes through start forests, state parks, and game lands. The remote and isolated trail is excellent for backpacking trips.
Old Boundary Trail
0.77 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches
This trail connects Bake Oven Trail and Sand Mountain Road. Hikers cross scenic Halfway Run and its nearby wetland area.
Overlook Trail
0.88 mile | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow/red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables
This trail has many switchbacks to lessen the steepness of the mountain up to the overlook. Once on top, it continues along the ridgeline.
Rapid Run Nature Trail
1.09 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches
Meandering alongside old growth hemlocks and white pines, this easy foot trail gives a great taste of the natural and historic experience R. B. Winter has to offer.
Rocky Corner Trail
0.1 mile in the park | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Only a third of Rocky Corner Trail is in the park. The 0.3-mile trail continues into Bald Eagle State Forest to connect to McCalls Dam Road and Old Tram Trail.
West Boundary Trail
0.64 mile | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
This trail has stretches of steep, rocky terrain. It is a rugged, yet scenic hike.
They also have a campground and some cottages. McCall's Dam State Park is also located very close to here. For more information about the state park, check out their website at https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/RaymondBWinterStatePark
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