Birders and Naturalists


Welcome to a nature lover's Paradise.

The Hartzell House B & B is in a veritable Mecca for Naturalists and Birders. The B & B is centrally located between Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands with its multiple trail and outdoor adventure options, Mt. Davis Natural Area, Roaring Run Nature Reserve, Bear Run Nature Preserve and the Whitetail Trail. Take a short drive into Western Maryland to explore Finzel Swamp, Cranesville Swamp, Mt. Nebo WMA, Savage River State Forest and Swallow Falls . West Virginia's Blackwater Falls State Park and Cooper's Rock State Park are also relatively close.

Bring your binoculars and bird books for you are quite likely to see hummingbirds, American goldfinches, Baltimore Orioles, Cardinals, Carolina wrens, Cedar waxwings, Chickadees, Chipping Sparrows, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern and Rufus-sided Towhees, Juncos, Nuthatches, Purple Finches, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Red-breasted Grosbeaks, Song Sparrows, and Titmice. Kingfishers, Green and Blue Herons visit the many area streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes, and hawks and the occasional eagle have been spotted nearby. We even had a Saw-whet Owl follow a moth into the B&B! We helped him back outside!

For an extra special treat, make plans with All Earth Eco Tours and discover a tour where you can hear the birds sing, see the eagles soar, and have fun with no worries about boat traffic or crazy wakes. The Savage Rez All Earth Kayak Tour is simply Maryland's finest eco nature tour surrounded by vast unbroken forest and protected state lands.

On a rainy day, drive east 20 minutes into Grantsville, Md., and visit Spruce Forest Artisan Village to see the accurate and detailed bird and feather sculpting of world renown carver, Gary Yoder . A mild drizzle, or misty conditions after a hard rain are a photographers dream at the Casselman Bridge. Or head out in the other direction toward Ohiopyle Falls, Cucumber Falls, Ferncliff Peninsula or Fallingwater, all within 30 minutes of the Hartzell House B & B.

Below you will find links to some of our favorite spots. Please remember to check regulations for each location before making your plans.


Tri-State Birding and Hiking Areas

Pennsylvania

BEAR RUN NATURE RESERVE

ROARING RUN NATURAL AREA

MT. DAVIS NATURAL AREA

OHIOPYLE STATE PARK / FERNCLIFF

FORBES STATE FOREST HIKING TRAILS

SPRUCE FLATS BOG MAP & BIRD LIST

LICK HOLLOW & WHITETAIL TRAIL, WV

Maryland

CRANESVILLE SWAMP

FINZEL SWAMP



West Virginia


COOPERS ROCK STATE FOREST

BLACKWATER FALLS STATE PARK

LICK HOLLOW & WHITETAIL TRAIL