Parks and Recreation Areas
The outdoors is our favorite place to be! If that's the case for you, you've come to the right spot. Pennsylvania's Americana Region has some of the best recreation areas with parks, trails, lakes, and forests. Get curious and see what outdoor fun lies in store for you in Berks County and Reading.
Outdoor Activities
Berks County is home to the Hopewell Big Woods – the largest contiguous forest in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Within its dense woodlands resides top recreation areas, including French Creek State Park. Hiking, boating, fishing, camping, and hunting are some of the activities offered at the popular park setting.
If you enjoy rock climbing, check out Birdsboro Quarry, one of Pennsylvania's foremost destinations. Its natural rock walls feature dozens of routes suited to all styles and skill levels.
Schuylkill River Greenway Trails
The dedicated greenway along the Schuylkill River is one of the region's most exciting. Cyclists, walkers, and even cross-country skiers can navigate the trails and take in the sights and sounds along the riverbanks. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride between neighboring towns, or follow the river as far east as Philadelphia!
If you're looking for other fun along the Schuylkill River, Jim Dietrich Park is considered Muhlenberg Township's hidden gem. This beloved park has a dog park, sports fields, trails, and landing areas for kayakers and canoers.
Birdwatching
If you're a bird enthusiast, you'll want to take in the views at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, a ridge in the Blue Mountains of the Appalachian Mountain chain. This habitat for birds of prey was the first of its kind in the world, and every autumn, visitors flock to watch the annual hawk migration.
Other top birding destinations in Berks County include Blue Marsh Lake, French Creek State Park, and Lake Ontelaunee.
Explore Local Histories
Many of Berks County's parks offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the region's rich heritage.
Find out about Pennsylvania’s Dutch roots through activities and programs hosted by the Berks County Heritage Center.
For interpretive activities, the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site preserves Pennsylvania's iron-rich history and transports visitors back to a 19th century iron plantation.
Urban Recreation
If you'd rather stay within the Reading city limits, there are plenty of options for urban recreation.
Play a game of disc golf at Laurelain Park, stroll along the Muhlenberg Rail Trail, or enjoy a picnic at the Red Bridge Recreation Area.
On the Water
Located just outside Hamburg, Kaercher Creek Park features a well-stocked lake great for catching bass and other varieties of local fish.
Blue Marsh Lake, just a few miles northwest of Reading, is one of the region's top fishing, boating, and swimming locations. Take a dip at one of the lake's many beaches, or spend the day casting out for trout, walleye, and other species.
