Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center — Attraction in Bushkill Township

This is my go to place for birding. I've seen over 200 species of birds here to include over around 17 species of warblers. I recommend the homestead trail for spring and fall warblers. Just don't go on Thursday or Fridays between 10-2 as there's always bus loads of kids running around and screaming, scaring off all the wildlife. I'd rather them running around yelling there than at home playing video games though, at least they're out in nature. Hopefully there's a couple of their groups that will fall in love with the outdoors and will be good conservationists. Also watch for dog poop on the Henry wood's trail as there are many inconsiderate people who don't clean up after their dogs, I mean a LOT of them. Also watch for horse poop all over the trails that allow them especially if you're riding a bike. Most of the trails are all use trails that allow biking, walking and horseback riding. Try and avoid the areas around the parking lots as they're usually the busiest areas. The hummingbird gardens is an awesome area, there's lots of wildlife in and around the area if you can find a time when there aren't a lot of people. My best days for birding have been when it's cold or rainy and hardly anyone is there. On nice sunny days it can get very busy, especially on the weekends. The volunteers there have done a lot of good there, with clearing the trails, putting up nesting boxes, removing invasive species of plants and have really cleaned up all around the park. Your guys effort does not go unnoticed. From someone who is there easily 150 times per year I know it takes a lot of time and hard work to keep up with mother nature. Without everyone pitching in to keep this place nice it would be...

I've been going since I was a kid, and so far, it has not been overrun by trash ppl like most of my favorite childhood spots. One park employee was a bit much though. I understand there are leash laws, but there is a thing called discretion. I have a highly trained dog who was minding his own beans in the creek with other people's kids who were enjoying him with parent approval and another guy 50 feet away who's dog was also minding his beans in the creek not even acknowledging that my dog existed for hours. Employee came up and asked me to put my dog on a leash as my dog is literally standing next to me and stated there were "too many people and dogs around",...? Obviously I complied without complaint. However, I have never once given a person a hard time about their dog being off leash provided it was apparent they had control of the dog. I do this because I've learned it's possible to enforce laws while showing grace within reason/situation. AKA, discretion. After leashing my dog, his leash frequently got caught on rocks underwater or the bodies of children who wanted to play with him. I felt it was counterproductive and a hazard for my good boy, so I ended up leaving with him, as did the other man...

I'm an outdoorsy type of person, so as it is with most state parks, I'm right at home here. The park is well maintained and has most amenities you would expect to find in a state park, including clean bathrooms, picnic areas, environmental education center, etc. Visit their website for a complete list. The walking/hiking trails are suited well for most types of people and are well-maintained ... nothing technical or difficult about the trails. It's a very scenic area with lots of photo ops as you go. The only drawback that I've ever come across, which isn't really a problem, is that depending on the time of the year you visit, it can attract a good amount of people wanting to play in the water and beat the heat. That in itself is not a problem so much as sometimes certain crowds can be loud or inconsiderate. Like I said, rarely an issue but it does happen from time to time as it would anywhere you go these days. So all in all it's clean, well kept, and beautiful. Don't hesitate to take the family and have a wonderful day enjoying the outdoors. Keep in mind that with most state parks the hours are from sun up to sun set. Highly...