An urban oasis where wildness hides in plain sight.
About This Location
Wildwood Lake Park is one of the most impressive urban birding destinations in central Pennsylvania. Centered around a large marsh and lake, the park feels surprisingly wild despite being tucked between a highway and an industrial area. Its combination of wetlands, open water, grasslands, and mature woodlands creates excellent habitat for a wide range of species throughout the year, making it a standout location for both casual birding and serious bird photography.
Photography Notes
I almost always begin my visits at the visitor center, though several smaller parking areas along the entrance road offer easy access to different parts of the park. Just below the visitor center, a long boardwalk trail leads through open grasslands and into a beautiful wooded stretch, ending at a lookout over the north end of the marsh. This trail is especially productive for songbirds, flycatchers, woodpeckers, and warblers, particularly during spring migration. After doubling back, I make a point to walk the trail that follows the edge of the lake. Depending on the season, this area offers opportunities to photograph ducks, teal, grebes, swans, and herons. The crushed-stone and paved loop trail—popular with runners and friendly walkers—winds all the way around the lake through shaded woodlands, providing countless chances for bird encounters and layered, habitat-rich images. Wildwood rewards patience: slow down, scan carefully, and something interesting almost always reveals itself.
Location
