Maurice K. Goddard State Park Trails

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.

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.