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If you’re wondering what activities and attractions in Happy Valley are accessible, you’re in the right place!
I’ve been to Happy Valley a few times, and recently visited the area with my husband who has a dynamic disability. While he doesn’t always need mobility aids, we still appreciate when noticing accessibility at local businesses and even more in the outdoors.
Read on to learn some of the things we did with accessible options in Happy Valley and other options available to those with accessible needs! I’ll cover mostly mobility accessibility in the area, but also include some accessible options for visual impairment
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. All thoughts and opinions are my own honest perspective. Thank you for helping support Adventures Abound so I can keep creating free content for your adventure planning!
Trails in town that are wheelchair accessible
There are plenty of outdoor opportunities in Pennsylvania’s Happy Valley, and quite a few have accessible accommodations as well.
Millbrook Marsh is a short drive from downtown State College and has a lovely boardwalk that is ADA accessible. Note that you will have to travel over a grassy area to reach the boardwalk.
Walking along this short path in the marsh is so peaceful, and I love having access to this free park so close to downtown!
Downtown Bellefonte has a lovely park along Spring Creek that runs right through town called Tallyrand Park. The creek is lined with willow trees and has paved paths along the grassy areas perfect for a picnic in the sunshine.
While the cable bridge is not wheelchair accessible because it requires a few steps up and down, there is a flat bridge a few yards away that parallels the railroad tracks.
This park is lovely to visit for many reasons including proximity to downtown businesses like My Cafe Buzz right across the street. It also hosts a historic railroad museum and office, restrooms (no automatic door), and edible and sculpture gardens.
If you visit, please note that it is against the rules to feed the ducks, as white bread is bad for their health and gives them stomach problems.
In the summer there are events at Tallyrand like Fridays in the Fonte where beautiful string lights are put up and vendors come set up tents for visitors to shop.
Accessible trails around Happy Valley
Head just outside of town to visit Soaring Eagle Wetlands – an incredible park for birding or fishing. The parking lot is just over a train track and is not obviously noticeable from the road.
The park has a gravel parking lot with a paved area for handicap parking. The ADA parking spaces are directly attached to the boardwalk so it is easily accessible from the car.
There are two boardwalk paths – one that goes straight and comes to an end, giving way to a grassy path that loops around the wetlands. The other direction leads to the left and leads to a pavilion over a stream with access to fish and a bench. There are also a few benches along this trail.
Spend some time bird watching along the trails!
Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, while technically just outside of Happy Valley in Huntington County, is well worth a visit and offers ADA access to the grounds and lake below. The center is operated as a joint effort by Penn State University’s Environment, Development, and Outdoor schools, and does an excellent job educating visitors about the local wildlife and environment.
There is a short ADA path behind the building leading to a boardwalk across Shaver’s Creek, the center’s namesake, with a platform overlooking Lake Perez.
Shaver’s Creek Center also advises visitors to contact them for additional information and requests regarding special accommodations via email or phone.
“Shaver’s Creek encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at 814-863-2000 or ShaversCreek@outreach.psu.edu before your participation. “
Centred Outdoors is a local organization dedicated to encouraging people to connect with the outdoor opportunities around Centre County and surrounding areas. This organization has a list of all the locations they partner with and includes details on the ADA accessibility status of each location. This is also a great resource to check out outdoor-related events going on in the area.
Additional outdoor spots with ADA accessibility
I didn’t have a chance to visit these locations, but they also have ADA accessibility or wide paved or flat paths that you might enjoy.
Visit Joseph Masullo Memorial Park for ADA accessible fishing. Jo Hays Vista is a viewpoint overlooking the valley and viewable by car. There is but no trail but you’ll find one bench at the lookout. Tom Tudek Memorial Park has some paved paths, and Snetsinger Butterfly Garden has a flat, grassy path.
The Rock Road section of the Spring Creek Trail might be ADA friendly, but I am not able to confirm. It looks mostly flat with some elevation gain at the start and end of this out and back trail.
Accessibility in Pennsylvania State Parks
Happy Valley has 6 state parks within its county lines, and loads more within driving distance. One park I recommend visiting is Bald Eagle State Park in Howard, PA. This park has a uniquely sustainable property on site called The Nature Inn that is fully ADA accessible and listed on AccessNow.com.
The Nature Inn is a great sustainable property as one of only 8 LEED certified buildings in a Pennsylvania state park. It’s built with sustainable materials, uses geo-thermal cooling and heating, and a rainwater-harvesting system that diverts runoff to flush toilets.
There is a short paved path in the front of the Inn that gives a sense of the surrounding nature, and the back of the Inn has a paved patio with a fire pit, and an accessible viewfinder and bench. The park is known for its excellent birdwatching, so it’s worth a visit to the viewfinder!
Bald Eagle State Park is also one of nine state parks that had colorblind viewfinders installed in 2024, making it an excellent place to enjoy Pennsylvania’s stunning fall foliage.
Another park that received the colorblind viewfinders is Black Moshannon.
Black Mo, as it is known locally, has a lovely boardwalk trail that is mostly accessible. There is a short dirt path between the parking lot and the boardwalk that is flat but may have some roots to maneuver.
The boardwalk meanders along a bog on the side of Black Moshannon Lake, with several educational signs about what you can expect to see in the area.
Most state parks also list ADA accessible amenities in the brochure, such as picnic areas, restrooms, fishing piers, swimming areas, accommodations, and other features.
Accessible destinations around State College
All of downtown State College is ADA accessible. Visitors can find a map of handicap accessible parking here.
The city offers public transportation as well.
Penn State has an incredible museum with beautiful art and many accessibility features known as Palmer Museum. The museum’s newly opened building is completely ADA compliant, and there are wheelchairs available for visitor’s use.
Some artwork includes screens that offer visual descriptions of the work as well. I was pleasantly surprised to see works ranging from Georgia O’Keefe to local Pennsylvania artists featured.
Behind the museum, a wide paved path leads to the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens for an easy stroll in nature.
These botanic gardens are beautiful any time of year, but especially in the fall when leaves begin to change to burning reds and golden oranges.
Further into the Penn State Arboretum are many more trails, including Bellefonte Central Rail Trail which follows the old path of the Bellefonte Central Railroad for 1.3 miles traversing the park’s wetlands and woodlands.
The State Theatre is a historic venue screening films and hosting live performances in downtown State College, PA. The Box Office Manager, Dan Culpepper, tells me the theatre recently upgraded their projection system to include closed captioning when paired with their accessibility devices, though some films are not equipped with captions. Those looking for captioned screenings can find those details by contacting the theater directly about the film you’re interested in seeing.
Dan says “For the movies that don’t support Closed Captioning, we should be able to offer assisted listening devices that either support headphones, or hearing aid T-Coil loops.”
These assisted listening devices are also available for use at their live events.
The main stage at The State Theatre, The Friedman Auditorium, has ADA accessible seating directly available for purchase online. Balcony seating is only accessible via stairs.
Their secondary venue, The Attic, is located just above the lobby and is a smaller performance space with seating capacity for about 45 visitors, accessible by either stairway, or elevator.
The theater, which opened its doors more than 80 years ago, is a key part of the community and actually operates as a non-profit. It’s more important than ever that we support independent theaters before they’re all gone, so I highly recommend checking out a show whether you are in town for a visit or live in State College.
Tempest Productions, another not for profit theatre company is listed on AccessNow.com as an accessible location in State College as well.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re rolling along a paved trail, relaxing at an accessible overlook, or enjoying an inclusive community park, there are so many ways to explore the outdoors around Happy Valley. State College and the surrounding area are making strides in creating welcoming spaces for all adventurers, no matter your mobility level.
Looking for more accessible adventures? Be sure to check out my other blog posts on outdoor-friendly destinations across Pennsylvania!
Read More About Pennsylvania
- Unplug & Explore: The Best Things to Do in Happy Valley PA for a Nature-Filled Getaway
- Accessibility in Happy Valley: Enjoy the Outdoors Around State College
- 13 Fun & Unique Things to do in York, PA
- Weekend Itinerary in York, PA: A Nature-Lover’s Guide to Local Favorites
- Ales, Rails, and Trails: Exploring the Heritage Rail Trail in York PA
- Best Things to Do in Lewistown PA and the Surrounding Juniata River Valley For An Adventurous Getaway
- Go to all PA posts
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