While camping at Eagles Peak Campground, we decided to do a local hike.

We ended up at Nolde Forest State Park  – a gorgeous sate park with more than 665 acres of beautiful woodlands.

What a beautiful place to hike! This area was acquired by Jacob Nolde  in the early 1900s.  As the story goes, a single white pine grew in a meadow. Inspired by this tree, Jacob Nolde hired an Austrian forester to create a coniferous forest. As the trees grew, they formed a this magnificent forest!

There was a pretty stream running through most of our hike.

Cello and Hooch were excited to be on this adventure!

Throughout the hike, there were many unique stone bridges and lined walkways.

This was  Hooch’s first Pennsylvania hike – and first hike in the warmer weather.  He was getting tired quickly, and began to stop in the shady areas for a breather!

At one point, in usual Hooch fashion, he decided he was “DONE!” 

Belly rubs, anyone?

At the end of the hike, we were rewarded with the beauty of an early 1920’s mansion.  In 1926, Hans Nolde, a son of Jacob, began work on the Tudor-style mansion that sits on the property.  Today, visitors can tour the grounds as well as the inside of this mansion.

The garden area of the mansion was incredible!

Pennsylvania purchased the property in the late 1960s , and in 1970, Nolde Forest was established as the first environmental education center operated by the Bureau of State Parks.  Now operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,  and Bureau of State Parks, the park provides a wide variety of programs for students, teachers, and adult groups. Teaching stations offer places for students to work, and benches for those who wish to sit and enjoy nature.