Varden Conservation Area

10/30/2026

Don't be Dan. Be like Bob. See where fall color is peaking before you go at www.pa.gov/FallFoliage

10/29/2026

It's time for your Week 5 Fall Foliage Report! 🍁🍂

The continued pattern of warm days followed by cold nights and frosty mornings is continuing to transform southern Pennsylvania’s forests into a mosaic of fall color. With minimal winds helping to extend the peak in many counties, fantastic autumn shades are now visible from the middle and southern Appalachians to the southern Alleghenies and deep into the forests of southeastern PA.

As fall foliage season winds down, this weekend may be the last great opportunity to soak in the wonderful colors across a large portion of Penn’s Woods.

Photo 1: Norcross Vista (Elk Forest District)
Photo 2: Edinboro (Erie County)
Photo 3: Sinking Springs Road (Tiadaghton Forest District)

View the full report: pa.gov/fallfoliage

10/29/2026

Investment in Pennsylvania's state parks pays off!

New data from a Penn State study shows the Commonwealth’s 125 free and open to the public state parks yielded over $16 for every $1 invested. Researchers estimate state park visitors spent $1.2 billion in Pennsylvania communities within 50 miles of a state park on visits to state parks in 2025.

Learn more: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/newsroom/new-data--pennsylvania-s-free-state-parks-generate--16-in-econom

10/28/2026

Discover PA’s past in a whole new way! The DCNR/America250PA GeoTrail is now available, guiding adventurers to 25 state parks to uncover history through geocaching.

Explore, find, and log all caches to earn a completion coin.

Learn more: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/what-to-do/geocaching/dcnr-geo-trail

10/27/2026

Beneath a night sky alive with magic, Cherry Springs State Park feels like stepping into another world.

If you’re chasing wonder, inspiration, or an enchanted place to lose yourself in a good read, our state parks are waiting to be explored.

10/26/2026

Can you guess this state park?

Here's a hint: the park shares a name with its popular lake! ⛵

Check the comments for the answer!

10/23/2026

Meet the new assistant park manager for Bald Eagle State Park in central Pennsylvania.

With two campgrounds, boating, fishing, swimming, the Nature Inn, and diverse habitats that are excellent for wildlife watching, Bald Eagle State Park is a great destination in the heart of Pennsylvania.

Learn more: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/newsroom/dcnr-names-new-assistant-manager-bald-eagle-state-park-in-centre

10/22/2026

It's time for your Week 4 Fall Foliage Report! 🍁🍂

Recent cold nights have sparked dramatic color changes across Pennsylvania’s forests, and now vibrant hues are bursting statewide. From the Poconos to the Allegheny Plateau, across the full sweep of the Appalachians and into the southeastern corners of the state, the autumn cheer of Penn’s Woods is on full display.

It’s shaping up to be one of the most impressive fall foliage seasons in a few years, making right now the perfect time to get outside and enjoy Pennsylvania’s breathtaking autumn scenery!

Photo 1: Mason Hill (Elk Forest District)
Photo 2: Bark Road (Buchanan Forest District)
Photo 3: Route 402 (Delaware Forest District)

View the full report: pa.gov/fallfoliage

10/22/2026

PA Outdoor Corps is Pennsylvania’s premier youth conservation workforce development and training program run by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in partnership with Student Conservation Association.

Follow us to learn more about the program and see what our crews are doing in the field!

10/21/2026

Fall is showing off at many Pennsylvania state parks! 🍁

Check out some of our favorite autumn photos captured and shared by you! Got one you'd like to share? Drop it in the comments below!

09/21/2026

September is in Pennsylvania! What is your favorite VCA trail?

09/17/2026

Natalie Wasilchak Friends of Varden Conservation AreaPromised Land State Park Thank you all so much for making this such a wonderful day for our Community! Thank you to Dave and Staci for joining me and helping on the walk! Thank you for the wonderful give aways for the table!

09/02/2026

VARDEN DAY is coming up! Sept 12th from 10am-3pm

08/22/2026

=D

Today’s volunteer spotlight is Pat Engle of the Friends of Varden Conservation area.
Pat serves as the secretary and vice chair of the organization. This is her first year serving on the board.

Pat cites her favorite part of her work with the parks to be assisting young visitors and fostering care for conservation, education, and recreation. Her favorite memory is of a DCNR-partnered trail cleanup that showed her the natural curiosity of upcoming generations. Her hopes for the future of the friends group are to see more young people take up the baton of stewardship and care for the land.

Pat looks forward to an upcoming project in the Varden Conservation area that will introduce chestnut tree orchards to the area. The trees grown will be a cross between the endangered American chestnut tree and another, more blight-resistant variety. Pat is looking forward to the lasting legacy of this project.

07/07/2026

Tonight July 7th from 6-8PM
Let’s celebrate America’s 250! This moderately difficult 2.5-mile hike will take us to the Shafer Chimney, the oldest structure in Wayne County. We will discuss the settlement that we call Varden today. This program will meet in the parking area at 225 Tannery Road, Lake Ariel, PA.

06/23/2026

Looking for something to do? Join the Wayne County Conservation District for a Twilight Pond Walk at Varden...it is tomorrow night.

Join Watershed Specialist Rachael Marques and Retired Penn State Extension Educator Peter Wulfhorst for a FREE pond walk!🚶‍♀️

On June 24, 2026 at 6pm at the Varden Conservation Area Tannery Tract pond (225 Tannery Rd, Lake Ariel, PA) we will be discussing healthy ponds, identifying pond plants, and answering questions on various pond and lake issues. 🌿

Though the program is free, we ask you register here: https://forms.office.com/g/3irmudp7wN

If you have additional questions please reach out to Rachael Marques via email at [email protected] or 570-253-0930.

06/20/2026

We're looking for volunteers to join the Friends of Varden Conservation Area, which is a collection of volunteers backed by the non-profit Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
Get involved with the community, conservation projects, and more!

This is the opportunity section that you log any hours when working for the Friends of Varden Conservation Area (FOVCA) activity, event, administration, meetings, social media, fundraising, grant writing, collaboration and planning, etc. This opportunity is for Board Members and General Members who....

05/15/2026

Local news coverage of Varden Science Day with WHS

Students in Wayne County are getting an up-close look at nature with an opportunity to study what's right in their backyard.

04/06/2026

We are looking for Volunteers to Adopt-A-Trail section at Varden Conservation Area.
If you are interested, please sign up on the DCNR volunteer site or contact the Environmental Education Specialist at Promised Land State Park for more information. We are looking to adopt single sections or combinations of trail sections can be combined.
Responsibilities include litter pick up, sticks and small limbs, signage repair and blaze markers repainted. These are well established trails that need some TLC.