Pennsylvania offers a geotrail through 25 state parks

Hanover, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently launched the DCNR America250PA GeoTrail at Codorus State Park in York County.

Created in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the GeoTrail leads visitors to 25 state parks where themed geocaches reveal stories from Pennsylvania’s past through a technology-driven scavenger hunt.

The DCNR America250PA GeoTrail launched April 11 and runs through March 2028. For details on how to participate, including coordinates, rules, and park information, visit the DCNR America250PA GeoTrail webpage.

“America’s story lives on Pennsylvania’s land, and DCNR has long conserved the parks, forests, and historic landscapes where that story was written,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.

“This anniversary year, we are proud to join America250PA in celebrating that legacy through education, conservation, and public events. Through initiatives like the DCNR America250PA GeoTrail, we are creating new opportunities for Pennsylvanians to connect with the places that shaped our nation.”

Participants will discover Pennsylvania’s rich history through its state park system by joining this technology-driven scavenger hunt.

Called geocaching, this free activity begins by entering the coordinates provided on DCNR’s website into any GPS-enabled device. From there, hike through one of the 25 participating state parks to search for a hidden container or cache.

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Each park features a unique cache that highlights a piece of Pennsylvania history that occurred at the park. Visit all 25 parks and find all 25 caches to receive a completion coin.

“Pennsylvania’s story lives in its landscapes – in the places where people worked, played, and helped shape the nation,” said Cassandra Coleman, executive director, America250PA.

“The DCNR America250PA GeoTrail invites people to explore our state parks in a new way, connecting history and the outdoors through discovery and hands-on experience.”

Participating State Parks and Geocache Themes

1. Beltzville – The Walking Purchase

2. Benjamin Rush – Patriot Physician

3. Black Moshannon – From Trail to Turnpike

4. Codorus – Mary Ann Furnace

5. Chapman – Bridge to the Past

6. Cook Forest – Old Growth Forests

7. Elk Country Visitor Center – American Elk

8. French Creek – Life of Collier

9. Fort Washington – War Defenses

10. Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center – Colonial Government

11. Jennings Environmental Education Center – Frontier Remnants

12. Kings Gap Environmental Education Center – Colliers Cache

13. Little Buffalo – Juniata Iron Furnace

14. Lyman Run – From Lumber to Park

15. Moraine – Liberty Tree

16. Ohiopyle – Washington’s Raft

17. Oil Creek – The Oil Boom

18. Pine Grove Furnace – Peak into Iron Making

19. Point – Whiskey Rebellion

20. Presque Isle – The Harbor

21. Ryerson Station – Dangers of Frontier Life

22. Shawnee – Road to Revolution

23. Sinnemahoning – Early Surveyors

24. Washington Crossing Historic Park – Soldiers at War

25. White Clay Creek Preserve – Building State Lines