Home › Pennsylvania › Petersburg › Bear Meadows Natural Area
Bear Meadows Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 73 Google reviews · Running trail in Petersburg, Pennsylvania · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Bear Meadows Natural Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
High-altitude swamp in a forested area with rhododendrons and a looping trail.
What runners say about Bear Meadows Natural Area
“The most scenic part of the bog is from the parking area so don't waste your time hiking the trail if you're trying to find a better view.”
“Easy hiking with well marked trails.”
“Bear Meadows is quiet and peaceful with the sounds of birds and the breeze.”
“It's fun for all ages and a great place to learn and view wildlife.”
A very unique setting deep in a forested area. Bear Meadows is also a National Natural Landmark. Only access is via maintained gravel roads. The natural area has a loop trail that goes around the bog where 10,000+ year old peat lies. Bear Meadows is a high elevation swamp which is what makes it so unique.
One of my favorite hikes, a flat 3 mile loop. Watch out for lots of muddy areas and puddles where the various tiny streams are pouring into the bog after it has rained.
What an incredible natural area located within Rothrock forest. Easy hiking with well marked trails. Do the loop for some good sights and an easy way to get your steps in!
This was an awesome day of hiking for me and my dog. We did the entirety of Bear Meadow Trail, which was gorgeous and easy. We ended up breaking off to explore mid state Trail and some of the other trails before coming back and completing the loop.
Trail conditions & character
“The most scenic part of the bog is from the parking area so don't waste your time hiking the trail if you're trying to find a better view.”
“We ended up breaking off to explore mid state Trail and some of the other trails before coming back and completing the loop.”
“Watch out for lots of muddy areas and puddles where the various tiny streams are pouring into the bog after it has rained.”
“Bear Meadows is quiet and peaceful with the sounds of birds and the breeze.”
Plan your run at Bear Meadows Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–8 pm |
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