PINE GROVE — Summer is such a great time to be outdoors that the warm weather, along with the sights and sounds of August, are too good to pass up before the kids think about returning to their schoolwork.
While outdoors recreation opportunities abound, one of the very best is so close to so many in our area. Those opportunities are waiting at Schuylkill County’s beloved Sweet Arrow Lake County Park with its assortment of sprawling nature trails that offer something for everyone to enjoy.
Bird watching, fishing and disc golf are just small samplings of the many fun activities available via the park’s diverse trail system. This system is a network comprised of seven different walking trails for a total distance of approximately six miles.
“Summer is a great time to visit the trails because all of the flora is in full bloom, making the park one of the most scenic destinations in Schuylkill County,” Parks and Recreation assistant supervisor Drew Kline said. “Most of the trails are family friendly, as they are easily accessible from parking lots.
“They are relatively easy to traverse, however, the seven trails do offer different levels of difficulty, ranging from very easy to moderately difficult. Two of the seven are wheelchair accessible.”
There are many must-see features along Sweet Arrow Lake’s trail system. One includes a boardwalk section along Waterfall Trail, offering a bird’s eye view of the Lower Little Swatara Creek before it leads to an overlook bridge spanning a 20-foot waterfall outflow from the lake.
Wood Duck Trail offers some of the best views of Sweet Arrow from its elevated vantage point, while Lakefront Trail offers about half a mile of hard packed, wheelchair accessible surface along the southeast portion of the lake. It continues another mile through a forested wetland corridor to a wildlife blind and across a 50-foot wooden walking bridge.
“All of the migratory birds are here for the summer, which allows for great bird watching,” Kline said. “In fact, Sweet Arrow Lake is one of the premier destinations along the Schuylkill County Birding Trail, and it is not uncommon to spot a variety of waterfowl, songbirds, sandpipers, owls, wading birds and even raptors — including the lake’s resident bald eagles and seasonal ospreys.
“Berger Dam Trail has excellent birding opportunities as it winds through dense underbrush and ends at the remnants of a 19th century ice harvesting dam breast. Big Dam Trail is located at the northern end of Sweet Arrow Lake County Park and follows the Upper Little Swatara Creek, providing additional wildlife viewing opportunities and access to some of the best trout fishing in the park.”
As if that were not enough, there are also 10 geo-caching sites hidden along various trails. There is also a complete disc golf course that utilizes some southern portions of the trail system, providing even more excitement for active outdoors enthusiasts.
All trails are clearly marked by either white posts or color-specific blazing for each individual route. Whether it’s the butterfly gardens, the 45-species native tree trail or one of the several well-maintained picnic areas, the park has much to offer by way of natural beauty for summertime family fun.
If you go
What: Sweet Arrow Lake County Park
Where: 108 Clubhouse Road, Pine Grove, and is accessible via Sweet Arrow Lake Road and Route 443
When: Park hours run from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.
Additional information regarding summer programs, trail maps, park rules and canoe rentals can be found on the park’s website
at www.sweetarrowlakepark.com.