Nittany Orchard Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Nittany Orchard Park is a popular tourist destination in Centre County, Pennsylvania.


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Summary

The park is located in the heart of Penns Valley and offers visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of the region. There are several good reasons to visit Nittany Orchard Park, including the stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and numerous recreational opportunities.

One of the main draws of the park is its orchards, which boast over 500 fruit trees. Visitors can pick apples, peaches, and other fruits during harvest season, which typically runs from late August into October. Other popular activities in the park include hiking, birdwatching, and fishing in the nearby Penns Creek.

There are several points of interest to see in Nittany Orchard Park, including the historic Linden Hall, which was built in the 1700s and now serves as the park's visitor center. Other notable attractions include the Spring Creek Wetlands Preserve, which is home to a variety of rare plant and animal species, and the Penns Valley Area Historical Museum, which offers a glimpse into the region's rich agricultural and industrial heritage.

Interesting facts about Nittany Orchard Park include its association with the famous Penn State Nittany Lion mascot, which was inspired by the park's mountain lions. The park also served as a training ground for soldiers during World War II, and its orchards were once used to produce cider and other agricultural products.

The best time of year to visit Nittany Orchard Park depends on your interests. For fruit-picking and outdoor activities, late summer and fall are the best times to visit. However, the park is also beautiful in the springtime, when wildflowers are in bloom and the weather is mild. Overall, Nittany Orchard Park is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the natural beauty and rich history of Pennsylvania's Centre County.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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