Other Parks

Delgrosso’s Amusement Park

Physical Address
DeGrosso’s Amusement Park
4352 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd.
Tipton, PA 16684

Mailing Address
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park
PO Box 335
Tipton, PA 16684

Phone: 814-684-3538
Toll-Free: 1-866-684-3538

Website : www.mydelgrossopark.com

Regular Season Hours
8:00 a.m. – Close

Off-Season Office Hours
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Northern Blair County Community Recreation Center

Physical Address
Old Route 220
Tipton, PA 16684

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 118
Tipton, PA 16684

Phone: 814-742-9500
Fax: 814-742-8511

Website : www.nbcrc.com

Hours
Monday – Friday 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

5th Street Park

James “Whitey” Stevens Memorial Park, located at 900 North Fifth Street, at the corner of 5th and Lock Streets. Updates are to be made to the park in Summer 2023. Phase One included removal of the old pavilion and obsolete playground equipment in 2022 and early 2023. A natural play area, grading and reseeding, new tree planting, and sidewalk construction will be part of the 2023 upgrades. (The project plan can be seen here.) The Park area is over 1/2 acre.

Rails to Trails Park

There are two “parts” to the Bells Gap Trail. Approximately two miles of the trail is owned and operated by Antis Township, and is officially the Bells Gap Rail Trail. However, the trail continues onto State Game Lands 158, adding an extra three miles. The Rails to Trails portion of the trail is made of crushed limestone; the Game Lands portion is slightly less improved.

In the 1850s, the Bells Gap Railroad was built to connect northern Pennsylvania with the Mainline railroad. The spur connects to the mainline in the town of Bellwood, and was originally built as a narrow-gauge rail line. It was eventually converted to a standard-gauge line in 1872. The Bells Gap Railroad remained in use until the 1930s, when Route 865 was improved and the railroad became obsolete. Because the rail line had to be kept at a grade below 4%, it now offers a relatively flat, level trail that is excellent for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Close to the upper entrance of the trail, on the Game Lands, you will pass the Lloydville Run Acid Mine Drainage Remediation System. This is an artificially-created wetland meant to neutralize the pH of the water seeping from a coal mine on top of the mountain. This project was completed in 1998 and was a joint effort of the Juniata Valley Audubon Society and the Blair County Conservation District. Along the trail near the wetland, there is a small kiosk with more information about the remediation project.

Shortly after the wetlands, the stunning vistas begin. Take a moment to stop and look out at the surrounding mountains of the Allegheny Front. Many portions of the trail are also lined with abundant rhododendrons, which are especially beautiful when they are covered in snow. If you do go when there is snow on the ground, keep your eyes open for tracks as you walk, snowshoe, or ski. Some common sightings include deer, rabbit, or porcupine. You may even see the faint outline of the wings of a raven, indicating the spot where he has taken off from the ground.

When you get to Shaw Run, the trail dog-legs, and if you look down at the stream you will see a stone archway. Go down to the stream and get a closer look at the archway, but be careful, because it’s a steep slope. This is about the halfway point on the trail, and a good spot to stop for lunch or for a break to take photos. Around this area, there are also some more breathtaking vistas overlooking the Bellwood Reservoir.

Shortly after this point, the official Rail Trail begins. There are several other information kiosks talking about the history of the railroad, as well as some benches and small pavilions. A share-the-road segment runs through the outskirts of Bellwood and connects to the final portion of the trail along Bells Gap Run in the Community Park.

Parking for the trail can be found at the Rails to Trails parking at the Hostler Trailhead off Route 865, north of Bellwood. Turn right off Rt. 865 onto Igou Rd. at the village of Roots, and the parking lot will then be up ahead on your left. There is a small sign stating that it is Rails to Trails parking.

The Game Lands parking lot at the top of the mountain on Rt. 865 offers parking at the other end of the trail in the small village of Lloydsville. You can either do this hike as a shuttle hike or an out-and-back if you would like a longer outing. If you want to do a shuttle hike or cross-country ski, you can start at either end. The trail is a slight (less than 4%) downhill from the Game Lands parking area, so starting at the top offers a slightly easier hike or cross-country ski.

Directions:

  1. Take Bellwood Exit 41 off of I-99.
  2. Follow PA-865 for 2.7 miles to Igou Road which will be on your right.
  3. Go .1 mile on Igou Road.
  4. Turn left into Bells Gap trailhead parking lot.
  5. Trailhead lot includes picnic table and picnic pavilion and a portable toilet.

For more information about the Rail Trail Park please use contact information provided below:

Antis Township Parks and Recreation
909 North Second Street
Bellwood, PA 16617
Phone: 814-742-7361
Email: JFrederick@antistownship.org
Website: Bells Gap Rail Trail

State Game Lands

Antis Township is situated in the Northern Hardwood Forest, the common forest of the Great Lakes Forest in Pennsylvania.

Antis Township is situated in the Northern Hardwood Forest, the common forest of the Great Lakes Forest in Pennsylvania. In this tall, broadleaf deciduous forest, with a mixture of needle leaf evergreen trees, the dominant species include sugar maple, yellow birch, beech, and hemlock. Other woody species include American ash, mountain laurel, white pine and American basswood, white and red oak, and cherry.

Large portions of State Game Lands #158 (8,835 acres) and #108 (4,948 acres) are located in western Antis Township, and a small portion of State Game Land #166 (407 acres) is located in southeastern Antis Township.

For more information about State Game lands please use contact information provided below:.

PA Game Commission-South Central Office
8627 William Penn Highway
Huntingdon, PA 16652
Phone: (814) 643-1831, (814) 643-9635
Website: www.pgc.state.pa.us

PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources-South Central Office
P.O. Box 8475
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Phone: (717) 705-5956
Email: lyeich@pa.gov
Website: www.dcnr.state.pa.us