Information
Landmark: Hawk Mountain SanctuaryCity: Allentown
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Allentown, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
Here’s a close look at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary-its rich history, the wildlife that fills its skies, what visitors can expect on the trails, and how it’s making a lasting mark on conservation.Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, perched on the rocky Kittatinny Ridge in Kempton, Pennsylvania, is both a nature preserve and a hub for scientific research within the Appalachian Mountain chain.Covering more than 2,600 acres, the sanctuary was established in 1934 by Rosalie Edge, a trailblazing conservationist who walked its rocky paths with binoculars in hand.Back then, raptors faced relentless persecution, and hunters crowded Hawk Mountain to pick off hawks as they swept past on migration.Rosalie Edge leased the land, put a stop to hunting, and hired a warden to watch over the birds as they rustled through the trees.By doing so, she created the world’s first sanctuary devoted to protecting birds of prey, a place where the sharp cry of a falcon could cut through the quiet air.Driven by her vision, she built a research, education, and conservation center that’s run without pause for more than 90 years, its old oak doors still opening each morning to welcome visitors from around the world.Step two’s simple: use a mix of short bursts and longer, flowing sentences.Hawk Mountain’s Raptor Migration and Research site sits right on a key flyway where raptors sweep through eastern North America each fall, their wings catching the sharp mountain wind.Along the Kittatinny Ridge, warm air rises in steady columns, giving birds a natural corridor of lift that lets them glide for miles without beating their wings.Raptor migration here peaks twice a year-fall runs from mid-August to mid-December, with September and October offering the most spectacular views, and spring stretches from March into early May, quieter but still worth watching.On a good fall day, you might see thousands of broad-winged hawks sailing over, along with sharp-shinned, red-tailed, and Cooper’s hawks, bald and golden eagles, kestrels, harriers, ospreys, peregrines, merlins, turkey and black vultures, red-shouldered and rough-legged hawks, and even the elusive northern goshawk.Since 1934, trained observers have counted them daily, making this the site of the world’s longest-running raptor migration study.These records are crucial for spotting long-term shifts in bird populations, and scientists around the world rely on them to guide conservation policy and research-like noting when sparrow numbers dip after harsh winters.Three.Hawk Mountain’s trail network stretches for more than eight miles, from gentle paths where you can hear leaves crunch underfoot to steep, demanding climbs that test your legs.Every trail is carefully maintained and clearly marked, winding through the cool shade of the forest and along the open ridgeline.South Lookout offers an easy, 900‑foot ADA‑accessible path with a smooth, level surface, a favorite for families, seniors, and anyone with limited mobility; along the way, you’ll find sweeping views and a few hands‑on educational displays.The North Lookout is a moderate 0.75‑mile climb, gaining 300 feet to a ridge with a 200‑degree panorama-prime territory for spotting raptors in the crisp fall air.On the River of Rocks Trail, expect steep descents and the crunch of boots on an Ice Age‑era boulder field; it’s rugged, rocky, and demands steady footing.For those chasing solitude and adventure, the Skyline Trail delivers a strenuous ridgetop route with rock scrambles, connecting to the Appalachian Trail.The Visitor Center welcomes guests every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with its doors closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.The building is the heart of campus life, where new arrivals get oriented, classes take place, and you can grab a hot cup of coffee between activities.The visitor center offers natural history exhibits, a gift shop stocked with books, binoculars, and nature-themed treasures, clean restrooms, trail maps with migration details, and friendly staff ready to help.Both the center and the South Lookout Trail welcome wheelchair users.Some of the other trails climb sharply, their paths littered with jagged stones.Number five.Daily admission costs $10 for adults (13–64), $7 for seniors (65+), and $5 for kids ages 6–12; little ones under six get in free.Members enjoy free entry all year, plus perks like unlimited visits, program discounts, and early sign-up for events.Individual and family memberships are both available.Hawk Mountain offers a wide range of educational programs that bring people closer to conservation science and the beauty of nature-like spotting a hawk’s silhouette against a bright autumn sky.Programs include guided nature walks, raptor ID workshops, wildlife photography sessions, children’s summer camps, school field trips, and teacher training.At the Acopian Center for Conservation Learning-part of Hawk Mountain-you’ll also find internships and residencies for students and graduates, professional development for conservation biologists, and hands-on research into raptor ecology, migration, and global conservation challenges.At Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, conservation work reaches far past public talks and afternoons spent watching hawks wheel through the sky.We publish research and gather data on migratory birds, train the next generation of conservation leaders, restore habitats and protect land, work with raptor monitoring networks around the world, and speak out for birds and the places they depend on-like the wind-swept cliffs where peregrines nest.For the best hawk-watching, head up between September and mid-October.Bring binoculars, water, sturdy shoes, and a few layers-wind can whip across the ridge without warning.Arrive early for easy parking and quiet trails, and leave pets, cigarettes, drones, alcohol, and trash at home.Kempton and the rolling hills of Berks County offer a quiet, scenic escape dotted with places worth exploring-tour Pennsylvania’s first show cave at Crystal Cave, hike a stretch of the Appalachian Trail near the sanctuary, browse fresh apples and handmade crafts at local farms, or ride a historic train through the countryside.You’ll find it all at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529-a place where conservation, education, and science work side by side in the open air.You’ll find breathtaking scenery, lively programs that pull you in, and the unforgettable sight of dozens of birds of prey cutting across the sky like dark arrows.
