Maurice K. Goddard State Park Trails:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
From www.dcnr.state.pa.us: The 2,856-acre Maurice K. Goddard State Park features the 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm, which is very popular with anglers. Many recreational activities attract visitors in all seasons. The large lake, abundant wetlands, old fields and mature forests provide a diversity of habitats for wildlife, especially waterfowl and eagles and ospreys.

Biking in Maurice K. Goddard State Park: A nine mile paved bicycle trail follows the shoreline from Boat Launch 4 to the Marina and continues to Dugan's Run. This trail is not a loop. It can be accessed from Launch 4, Marina, Launch 2, Launch 1, Dam and Dugan's Run. The trail is open to two-way bicycle traffic, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Stay to the right while bike riding. Please park bicycles off of the trail to avoid obstructing traffic.

Hiking in Maurice K. Goddard State Park: There are 14 miles of hiking trails in the park, including the Multi-use Trail, which is a 12 mile loop, consisting of paved trail and roadway. The main parking area for this trail is on Lake Wilhelm Road between the bridge and the park office. This scenic trail is composed of two trails. The Wilhelm Trail is on the North Shore and hiking, biking and snowmobiling is permitted. This section of trail contains short, steep runs that may be difficult to climb for some bikers. The north shore has many vistas, which overlook the lake.

The Cross-Country Ski Trail in on the South Shore and cross-country skiing, hiking and biking is permitted. The south shore of the lake has areas of trail that share the road with motor vehicles. The trail runs from the dam to Lake Wilhelm Road.

To complete the loop, one must simply utilize Lake Wilhelm Road to connect the south and north portions of the trail.

Falling Run Nature Trail is a 0.7-mile loop trail. This self-guiding nature trail follows some of the old logging roads as it winds its way to the hemlock forested Falling Run Ravine. Falling Run drops 90 feet in elevation in less than 1,000 feet and it cascades over a small waterfall. Hikers will find signs of the pioneer settlement of the George Y. Stright family, including; the spring house, log cabin chimney and mill pond near the trailhead. Signs of the old gristmill and sawmill have all but vanished.

Goddard Mckeever Hiking Trail is a 1.25-mile connector trail (0.70 miles of trail in the park). This trail connects Maurice K. Goddard State Park to the trail system of Mckeever Environmental Learning Center. As you climb the steep hillside of Coal Hill, note the sealed coal mine shaft going into the hillside just before you break over the crest.
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Parking & Trail Access:
The Maurice K. Goddard State Park is a five minute drive from I-79. Take Exit 34 (Sandy Lake-Greenville) and travel west on PA 358 (towards Greenville) for about 0.1-mile, then bear right onto Carpenters Corner Road. At the first stop sign, turn right onto Lake Wilhelm Road, which goes directly to the park.
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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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Very nice, but not a Rail Trail
By 7802mark in December, 2011
First I want to correct a statement in a previous review. There are public toilets, and probably water, though I didn't look for that, at the picnic / boat launch areas on the lake's southwest side. These are state maintained facilities, and may be closed in winter.

This trail, unlike typical rails to trails examples, has several short steep grades and some sharp bends, including some that have both bends and grades. You may well need to brake on the way down, and will probably need to shift down, or even get off and push on the way up. None of the grades is very long, so, even if you have to get off and push, it won't be a long push. On the north side of the lake, the trail is mostly asphalt paved and quite smooth. Several bridges cross little runs. On the south side, some sections share with park roads, and the paving isn't so pristine there, but not bad. On the very western end, you have to ride along a state highway to cross the lake and complete your loop. The highway shoulders are very wide, the pavement good, for adults or older children, it is no problem at all.

Scenery is very nice and varied. The trail runs both right through the grassy emergency spillway and across the crest of the dam. On top of the dam makes a nice place to stop and rest a few minutes.

It is just about 12 miles around the lake. If you want a longer ride, just do it twice, or three times. Reverse direction to add some variety. There is easy access trail parking at the west end on both north and south sides, where Lake Wilhelm Road, SR 1009, crosses the lake.
Up & Down
By hike.n.bike in August, 2011
Lake Wilhelm bike trail is not a rail trail that is flat and straight. We rode recumbent trikes there and turned around after 3 miles and quit. It's alot of shifting up and down and pulling hills. Were used to a casual ride nothing quite so up and down. If your in to hills then this is your ride. If not, save your time and your bike for another trail.
Beautiful scenic bike trail!
By smitty327 in August, 2010
My wife and I just got back from a weekend of camping near this trail.We have biked quite a few trails this summer and found this trail to be the best thus far.The scenery is spectacular and the trail is very fun to ride.The trail surface is very smooth and well taken care of.There are a few challenging hills on the trail with an abundance of turns which makes for a fun ride.
You will see an abundance of wild flowers birds and other wild life.You can take a picnic lunch as there are many picnic areas on the trail.
No water fountains or restrooms.
The best campground to stay at is camp wilhelm.You can ride your bike straight from the camp to the trail which will add an additional 2 miles to your trip.
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