This 390-acre area along Standing Stone Creek includes virgin white pine and hemlock. Towering above the trail as it winds through 20-foot-high rhododendrons is a hemlock forest bypassed by the loggers at the end of the 19th century. Here are magnificent trees, many over 4 feet DBH and reaching several hundred years old. Scientists believe the largest tree in the area could be over 1,000 years old, possibly the oldest in the state, some on small islands in the middle of Stone Creek. Other tree species in the area include white oak, red maple, white pine, pignut hickory, black gum and black birch.

An old growth mixed-oak forest on the mountain slope above is considered to be one of the finest in Pennsylvania.

A half-mile nature trail leads into the heart of the old-growth forest while winding along Standing Stone Creek, and continuing through a younger forest of oaks, white pine and red maple. The Mid-State Trail also has a connection to this natural area.

Access Details

East of State College on US Rt 322, turn south on Bear Meadows Road at the sign for Tussey Mountain Ski Resort. Alan Seeger Natural area is 10 miles south along this road, one mile past the Detweiler Run Natural Area. When you reach Stone Creek Road, turn left (east) for one-quarter mile across a small bridge and into the Alan Seeger parking lot.

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