Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
add photosHawk Mountain Sanctuary trails are open year round, 365 days a year, dawn to dusk. The Visitor Center , which includes bookstore, birdfeeder observation window and Wings of Wonder gallery, is open 8 am to 5 pm September through November and 9 am to 5 pm all other months.
The Visitor Center is closed only on
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Autumn Weekends (Sept-Nov) and National Holidays:
Adults and Seniors $7
Children ages 6 to 12 $3
Children ages 5 and under are always free.
5 Reviews for Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
125
49
'10, '11, '12
0 families found this helpful
"For the Outdoor Enthusiasts"
We visited Hawk Mountain during migrating season but as luck would have it, not a single bird flew by. Where did we see the most birds? When we drove down the mountain and around to the other side to our next destination. That is just par for the course with our luck :)
That aside, this is a beautiful destination. The trails are easy to navigate and there are many overlook viewing areas to see the valley and surrounding areas. During migration season, there are interns at the 2 main lookout points to answer questions. Be sure to take your binoculars and plan to stay awhile!
The staff in the nature center were very friendly and helpful. Outside the nature center is native plant garden.
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0 families found this helpful
"Great views and nice trails"
My family and I recently discovered Hawk Mountain and fell in love. Our kids LOVE to go on hikes and Hawk Mt has great trials with absolutely beautiful views, esp during migrating season. The cost is fairly low, esp if you buy a yearly membership and there are a great many classes and workshops available through-out the year to keep adults and children happy.
(we esp loved the option for night hikes and Owl watching)
1 family found this helpful
"Great hiking and picturesque views"
Our family went here Labor Day weekend of this year. It was a little before migrating time for the birds, so we didn't really see anything except a stray few birds on a far ridge. Supposedly it is a neat sight if you happen to be there when the birds are passing through here. I personally think my kids (10, 8 and 4) would've taken one look, birds or not, and moved on.
That being said, we did hike all over the place and enjoyed the day following the trails and enjoying the beautiful overlooks. I have terrific pictures of my kids with the scenery of the area in the background and people always want to know where it's from and are amazed it's in Pennsylvania. Go for the experience of hiking and climbing, enjoy the miles and miles of beautiful nature, the scenic views, and if you happen to catch the birds, even better. I'd also recommend this for slightly older kids, as they can hike longer and you don't have to worry (so much) about them falling. Wear good hiking shoes and take some water. And a camera. It's very pretty.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
Every year about 75,000 visitors “flock” to Hawk Mountain nature-observation area to watch the many species of hawks and eagles that pass through the area on their annual migrations. During busy fall weekends, as many as a dozen very helpful interns, volunteers, and staff members are available to interpret the spectacle of migration for visitors.
Wind and weather conditions have a great impact on the birds, so plan your visit based on the weather. Before you go, be sure to check the Web site for weather conditions, directions, and specific information on which species you are likely to see that day. Bring binoculars (or rent them here), wear a jacket, and pack a lunch in a backpack there’s no snack bar. But remember that you’ll be carrying home all your trash; there are no garbage cans at the lookout and you are responsible for any food wrappers, cans, or bottles you bring along. You might also want to bring along something soft to sit on.
Children should be reminded that noise may frighten the birds. Pets are not permitted. We recommend taking the kids on the rocky Escarpment Trail so that they can burn off some energy before arriving at North Lookout. The South Lookout is wheelchair accessible.
3 families found this helpful
"A nice hike, but go in season"
Really pretty hike, good for 5+ active kids, lots of rocks to climb on. Seeing birds varies greatly by season, their website
http://www.hawkmountain.org/ tells you when to go. But be warned prices go up when the birds come. You hike to bird level, but still bring your binoculars, the hawks may not get that close. We went off season, and still had a lot of fun. Good educational information center.
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