September | 2024 | Hikes and Hops

Butler County, PA

A family Hikes & Hops outing is quickly being a favorite tradition! Over the summer, we visited Jennings Environmental Center in Butler County with my parents. Sharing a border with Moraine State Park, this quaint center is often overlooked by its more showy neighbors. But this nature center is worth a visit in its own right! The park boasts miles of trails through both wooded and prairie ecosystems and is entirely dedicated to nature education. The park also protects the endangered massasuaga rattlesnake One mile of the North County Trail also passes through the park. This is a fantastic park for all hiking abilities!

THE HIKE: Jennings Environmental Center

Length: 5 miles (connect to NCT for more)
Elevation Gain: 300 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 2 hours
Trail use: Hiking, Leashed pets
Parking: Ample parking at Center

This park is one of four environmental education centers managed by the Pennsylvania State Parks system. It’s slightly different from other state parks because its primary purpose is to educate the community about the local environment. The park also offers 5 miles of hiking trails and connects to the North Country Scenic Trail, as well as cross country skiing in the winter. Be aware that certain areas are open to hunting during the season.

Access and Parking: Jennings Environmental Center is free to visit! Park near the office and classrooms, use coordinates 41.00869377322245, -80.00326119251952

The Route: This route follows several of the main trails at Jennings to make a nice 5 miles figure 8 of the park. It starts at the park office where there are bathroom and educational displays. Begin the trek on the Whispering Woods Trail and head towards the wetland area. After a quick jaunt through the woods, you’ll encounter a large gazebo with interpretive signs about wetlands and the mining past of the region. from here, weave through some of the unmarked trails through the waterways where you may spot turtles hiding in the water and butterflies fluttering to the flowers. After exploring, return to the gazebo and take the North Country Trail (blue and yellow blazes) into the woods. Follow the trail until it reaches a trail junction. Now, you can take the Black Cherry Trail as it leaves the NCT and heads up the hill. This is the steepest part of your journey! This trail passes through peaceful woods and large glacial boulders. About a mile into your journey, pass another trail junction where you will get on the Ridge Trail. Be aware that this trail passes into hunting lands, which are clearly noted with signs along the way. The Ridge Trail then meets back up with the North Country Trail as it heads back towards the Park Office. You’ll cross a small bridge which crosses over a peaceful waterway. Now on the Old Elm Trail you’ll loop back to the park office. You’ve just finished your first loop!

Now, if you’re still looking for more, you’ll carefully cross over PA 528 to the other half of the park. There’s additional parking and bathrooms on this side. There are many intersecting trails that can make small or large loops, depending on how much you want to tackle. We took the Maassuaga Trail and connected that to the larger Oakwoods Trail. This route passes through some lowlands where the ground can get quite muddy. Some of the trails were closed due to beaver activity leading to washed out trails. After a nice meander through the park, we ended our journey by walking through the park’s most unique feature: a prairie ecosystem. The Prairie Loop skirts around a wide open meadow with tall native grasses and flowers. The trails are wide, mown paths, and it is vital to the health of the ecosystem that you remain only on these paths. This area is also home to the reclusive, yet venomous massuaga rattlesnake so it’s best to keep an eye out for this slithering friend. If hiking in the late summer, you will be treated to sights of the amazing Blazing Star praire flower with its distinctive purple spire. After taking the Prairie Loop, follow the Blazing Star Trail back towards the road and cross over to the parking lot to complete your journey.

THE BEER: Missing Links Brewery

Address: 891 Evans City Rd #9209, Renfrew, PA 16053
Distance from Trail Head: 13 miles, 20 mins
Website: http://www.missinglinksbrewery.com
Food?: Full Menu
Details: Outdoor seating, dog friendly outside

Missing Links Brewery is located in Evans City right next to the Butler Farm Market. They offer a full line-up of house made beer as well as a complete kitchen menu of tasty grub. There’s a large outdoor porch for pup-friendly dining and the entire space is family-friendly. With a comical logo of the owners as caveman, Missing Links like to riff on this with their beer names, like Bedrock IPA, Dinoweizen Wheat Beer, and Bigfoot ESB. With a kitchen menu of pub classic like pizza and sandwiches, this place is sure to be your missing link between a hike and a delicious brew!

Our Beer: