hawk mountain sanctuary

I loved the views from the lookouts at Hawk Mountain. You could see for miles. The main trail is easy to hike although there are parts that are rocky so wear shoes that give good footing on rocks. There are many lookouts to see where you can get a view of the area. I saw a bald eagle at one of the lookouts. It was exciting to be at the same level as the eagle.

If you go to Hawk Mountain to visit to only see hawks, falcons, eagles and other birds of prey, you may be disappointed. If you go wanting to enjoy wilderness, hiking some challenging trails, and learning the history of these raptors, you'll have a good time. The drive from the main road is a scenic one, past farm land and then quickly climbing up the mountain to the driveway entrance leading to the visitors center. Pay the entrance fee - which goes toward maintenance and research - pickup your included trail map, and peruse the small but interesting gift shop. There are also educational displays explaining mans attempt to decimate the local predatory bird population, and the history of how one person worked to change the perception of these birds. Check in at the wildflower and feeder gardens, then begin your trek up the mountain. The first lookout, South lookout. is favored by bridal parties for it's ease of access and picturesque views, End your hike here and it could be enough to understand the beauty found in this place. However, we recommend continuing on and following the trail to the North Lookout. Follow the main lookout trail, and if you are in good condition, take the Express Trail to the North Lookout. The North Lookout Trail is longer, but has a steep staircase with rail to help along the way.The North Lookout is the highest point of Hawk Mountain by trail. It is strewn with large boulders to rest a bit after your hike. Sit and take in the views of the valleys below, and the mountain range in the distance. Often, visiting raptor experts (from around the world) will answer questions about the birds gliding and riding the updrafts off the cliff face. It's a perfect place to enjoy a lunch if you want to pack it in with you. Make sure to give yourself at least half a day for Hawk Mountain. You can see it in less, but a slower travel pace will make the trip much more enjoyable.Tips for a good trip - Wear Sturdy shoes - this is not a place to wear flip-flops or flimsy sandals. There are some very rocky areas of the trail.Watch your step - make sure you have good footing, especially on the many steep and rocky terrain areas.Take bottled water - it's easy to become dehydrated while climbing up to the lookouts.Bring a snack as well. A piece of fruit or granola bar seems to taste better when it's your reward for making it to the top of North Lookout!What you pack in, you need to pack out. There are no trash receptacles at Hawk Mountain, so if it came in the car with you - it leaves with you as well.Check the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary website for some good photos and descriptions of the trail areas themselvesTake your time, be taken by the views, and enjoy a day in the natural beauty of this special Pennsylvania spot.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is a wonderful place to visit. The signposts educate about our raptor population, and you will share the viewing areas with many visitors with binoculars. You can stroll along the hillside areas and rocky outcroppings to see the hawks, eagles, and other raptors wheeling in the thermals that rise from the lovely valley.The paths are handicapped-accessible, and rangers are available to add information. This is a beautifully-planned attraction without the other type of "hawking" that ruins so many natural sights. Have a care not to stray too far into the rock areas. Visitors have been known to injure themselves. The signage is very clear about the danger.

We have been traveling back to visit Hawk mountain for many years. Scenery is wonderful and the hike up the mountain is not a big challenge. Beautiful Fall foliage and of course the birds!Bring the kids, pack in (and pack out) your snacks. Wear good shoes to really enjoy some path through the woods.! Go on line to find out the peak dates for the hawks and birds you are most interested to see cross through the ridge.Once you arrive go to the visitors center to learn about the birds who live here and those who come through during migration.

My husband and I wanted to do some hiking on one of the last nice weekends of the year, and decided to check out Hawk Mountain. We first went to all of the outlooks. We didn't bring along any binoculars, so, unfortunately weren't really able to see any birds. A few golden eagles were spotted while we were at the North Lookout, but we were only able to see one (and barely!). If you're going for the birds - bring a pair of binoculars!We then hiked the River of Rocks Trail. True to the name - the trail was EXTREMELY rocky, so be warned!

If you have a Sat or Sun. and you want to do something relaxing, if you have the weekend to explore and do some treking, if you just want to go and learn something spectacular, then Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the place to go. Located on the edge of Hawk Mountain rests a stop that when you leave you will have learned a thing or two. Birds of Prey consists of many species there in, and at Hawk Mountain a Ranger that specializes in Birds of Prey will teach you all about them. It was so facinating I would go back just to watch these birds high upon the edge of Hawk Mountain.

Went to Hawk Mountain on a cold & blustery Sunday with NW winds at about 20-30 mph. Not great weather for people, but GREAT weather for Raptors during Fall Migration. Saw more Golden Eagles than I had seen in my lifetime, along with Bald Eagles & hundreds of hawks. A word of advice, you can call and get a report on what raptors were seen during the day and get expected conditions for the following day. During fall migration, you want NW winds The walk to the North Lookout is a hike. The lookout is at the top of the hill (that is why they call it a lookout) and is a +/- 3/4 mile hike. The path is rocky but manageable. Take your time and enjoy the hike. Hiking boots are recommended. Dress for the weather. It can be very windy at the North Lookout (NW winds are good for Fall migration). Take a good pair of binoculars and enjoy your day on the rocks at the North Lookout. We take a backpack with food / drinks, a seat cushion & a blanket. The view of the surrounding area is awesome, but the real beauty is the raptors that fly over. There is a bathroom (outhouse) near the North lookout. Our family travels there several times a year (2 hour trip one way). We get to the North lookout around 0800 and stay most of the day.

What a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors! Whether you're into bird watching or not, Hawk Mountain is a great place to hike on well marked trails. All trails are rocky and ungraded except the walk to South Lookout so make sure you wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes with good treads. The trails can be slippery when wet or in the fall with the fallen leaves. We hiked Lookout Trail with 8 lookouts with stunning views of the Blue Mountains and Kittatinny Ridge. North Lookout (elevation 1521) was the largest lookout with several bird watchers calling out the sightings. The trail entrance starts at South Lookout (elevation 1300). Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy or stop in the Stony Run Inn & Grill for delicious German cuisine only minutes away.

Rugged trails lead you to North Lookout, where the raptor parade can be absolutely unbeatable (and unforgettable) on the right day (NW winds after a cold front in New England). We saw 17 Golden Eagles between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., plus tons of other raptors. Staff are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Careful on the very rocky trails, however!

Enjoyable walk to observe fall foliage with excellent visibility.Looks like they have several projects under way to expand.

Visited Hawk Mt to see the fall colors and the migrating raptors on a recent Sat. The parking lot was as full as I've ever seen it, but the attendants directed cars very efficiently. There were hundreds of people there, and the North Outlook was pretty crowded, but my wife and I found a rock near the edge that provided an unobstructed view of the raptors. If you go, bring binoculars, snacks, water, camera, and if you can, cushions to sit on (not really needed, though). The short cut to the North Outlook is pretty steep but cuts out a good amount of time. Stop and look at the overlooks on the way, but the main attraction is at the top. Docents will be there to point out and identify the birds as they fly by. Late Oct./early Nov. is best for the osprey and eagles.

We arrived at hawk Mountain on a sunny fall weekend. The numerous parking lots were almost illed by noon--there were lots of guides to safely direct cars. There are 2 primary sites to view hawks, eagles, and other raptors. The walk to the nothern viewing point is about 3/4 mile from the entrance. Recommnd hiking shoes, binoculars, a water bottle, a snack, and dressing with layers. Parts of the trail require walking on stony paths. At the end of the hike, there is a wonderful panoramic view of the surrounding areas. Gorgeous! Lots of friendly people. Staff pointed out particular birds--even had a few pairs of extra binoculars to lend to visitors. We were there for about 3 1/2 hours..

This was the first time we visited this location. We were looking forward to seeing birds migrating in addition to taking a great hike. The hike to the north lookout was challenging, very rocky and steep but not impossible. South lookout is much more attainable for anyone. The view was astounding. It was a light bird day except for the vultures. The guides could have made clearer announcements when there were birds. We had to ask them to speak up several times. Very clean. Raptor show was great including the screech owl. Would recommend that you have some hiking experience for the north lookout.

My daughter and I went this weekend. We were given good maps when we paid and the trails were well marked. We went on two moderate trail which were short. When the signs say that you will have to scramble" on rocks, they really mean it! Big boulders are piled down hillsides and you do have to go over them. The easy trail is a bit rocky in places, but easy to navigate through the woods. The best part is reaching the North Overlook. It's a boulder-strewn mountaintop giving a great view - especially since the leaves were turning - and an excellent place for a picnic. We saw some hawks circling, but really, it was more about the entire experience for us. We passed a restroom near this mountaintop by taking the Escarpment trail back down. It's in a little building on the right. You wouldn't see that if you take the stairs back down the easy trail. The other tip is to get there in the morning during the migration time - when we left at 12:30, all the parking lots were completely full and people were parking on the main road. There was a line of cars waiting to get in as people left.

We recently visited the sanctuary and enjoyed the amazing views of the Pa mountains. This a wonderful place to see nature and the visitor center is educational for ages. Wear study shoes and be careful on the rocks. Getting to the North lookout is for those in good shape but worth it . Not many Hawks at this time of year.