Pennsylvania is packed with amazing boardwalks that take you over lakes, through swamps, and into some seriously cool wild places.
You’ll see turtles sunbathing, birds flying low, and trails that float above the water like something out of a dream.
Some are hidden in quiet parks, others are right in the heart of the city, and every single one has something awesome to explore.
Let’s go find the best boardwalks across the state.
You won’t believe what’s waiting around the next bend!
1. Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk
The Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk is a 2,000-foot-long path that floats right over the Schuylkill River in downtown Philadelphia.
You’ll get epic views of the skyline, rowers, and even turtles sunbathing on logs.
It starts just past Locust Street and connects the Schuylkill River Trail to the South Street Bridge, making it feel like you’re walking on water in the middle of the city.
Along the way, you’ll find benches, lookout points, and even glow-in-the-dark lights that turn your evening stroll into something pretty special.
2. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
Next up, leave the city and head over to the wild wetlands at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, just minutes from Philly’s airport.
This refuge winds through over 1,000 acres of marshes, meadows, and woods, with a short wooden boardwalk letting you walk through part of the wetland without getting your shoes wet.
It’s about 0.1 miles long, packed with birdwatching spots, turtles poking their heads up, and signs pointing out cool facts about everything from frogs to foxes.
3. Wildwood Park
Now take a walk through Wildwood Park in Harrisburg, where the boardwalk zigzags through marshes and wet woodlands.
It’s about a mile long when you combine the Delta and North Boardwalks, and it’s totally flat and wheelchair accessible, with tons of cool wildlife like great blue herons, painted turtles, and even the occasional muskrat popping up to say hi.
The trail loops through forests, meadows, and wetlands, so it’s like a chill science class you actually want to go to.
4. Black Moshannon State Park
Keep the nature streak going with a walk through Black Moshannon State Park, just outside Philipsburg in central PA.
This boardwalk cuts right across a rare high-elevation bog, with spongy mosses, carnivorous plants, and a whole ecosystem you won’t find anywhere else in the state.
It’s about half a mile-long loop and super peaceful, with wooden planks that twist through the trees and overlook the calm waters of Black Moshannon Lake.
5. Parker Dam State Park
Next stop: the quiet charm of Parker Dam State Park, tucked into the Moshannon State Forest in Clearfield County.
Here, a short boardwalk leads you right through a sun-dappled swamp, where the trees grow right out of the water and frogs are everywhere.
It’s about 1 mile long and it feels like stepping into a secret forest where the only traffic jam is a line of waddling ducks.
6. Canoe Creek State Park
Then there’s Canoe Creek State Park in Blair County, where the boardwalk takes you through a quiet stretch of wetlands right next to the lake.
It’s an easy stroll with wide planks, perfect for spotting butterflies, turtles, and maybe a deer munching nearby if you’re lucky.
The boardwalk, which stretches about 0.3 miles, links up with wooded trails and lake views, so you get a little bit of everything all in one peaceful walk.
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