Seven Tubs Recreation Area might be one of the coolest and memorable places I’ve visited thus far in Pennsylvania. It has a ton of fun, active things to do that I’ll talk about in this post but if you’re into hiking, cliff jumping and swimming, this place has a great combination of it all and then some.
Info:
- Name: Seven Tubs Recreation Area
- Location: Pinchot National Forest Pennsylvania
- Cost to enter: Free
- Distance from NYC: 2-3 hours
- Ideal time to visit for: 1 day
- Reviews: 5 out of 5
Overview:
Seven Tubs Recreation Area is basically 2 gorges with rivers that run through them within which you can hike, swim and even cliff jump. One of these gorges features a cascading river with many waterfalls and seven different swimming potholes (tubes). The other is much more mellow but is also very scenic and fun to hike/swim in.
Overall Seven Tubs Recreation Area offers a playground for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Hiking, photography, nature study, and simply unwinding in the lap of Mother Nature, you name it, and Seven Tubs has a way to cater to it.
Walking into this place I didn’t have too many expectations but not only did this place deliver on surprising me in a very good way, it ended up being way more scenic and adventurous than I imagined, making it one of the most fun places I’ve visited outside NYC to date.
Things to do:
- Hiking (Seven Tubes trail and the Audubon Loop Trail)
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Photography
Hikes: Let’s start with hiking and specifically the most popular trail which is the Wheelbarrow Run Trail (aka the Seven Tubes trail). It’s a short mile long loop that takes you through one of the main gorge in the area and the 7 potholes I talked about earlier.
There is a pretty major incline hike that you start with that takes you right by the water and along the way you’ll find ample opportunities to jump in the water and explore one of these many potholes, most of which are right next to stunning cascading waterfalls. These natural tubs (potholes) carved by glaciers are perfect for those warmer days when you need to cool off. Remember, you should always prioritize safety, so if you plan to dip into these natural pools, observe the current and depth carefully.
Then there’s the Audubon Loop trail which is about 2.3 miles long and about 300 feet in elevation. It takes you past the second river in the Seven Tubes area and there are actually quite a few swimming holes there to explore, as well as numerous waterfalls so I’d highly recommend you do this hike after you finish the Seven Tubes trail).
Picnics: If you’re looking for a spot to enjoy a meal surrounded by the great outdoors? You’ve got several scenic places for picnicking here including right by the parking area which has several tables.
Photography: For anyone who enjoys photography, brace yourselves. The blend of cascading waters, verdant greenery, and rock formations make this a dream environment. Whether you’re shooting with a top-notch camera or just snapping pics on your phone, you’ll capture countless memories. And on that note, here’s some of my the photos I took when visiting this place:
Best times to visit:
No season is perfect when it comes to visiting the Seven Tubes area, but each has it’s own charm so let me cover what you need to know:
Spring: This is when the snowmelt feeds into the streams, offering a robust display of nature’s power and this is when I came here personally so seeing the water in full flow was amazing. Plus the weather was pretty nice too.
Summer: This season has its perks too. It’s ideal for those who want to dip their toes in the water, as the weather is warm and even hot on most days (unless you’re in the shade).
Fall: For visual scenery this is your go to season. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to engage in the swimming since it’ll be cold, but for fall colors and autumn leaves, you can’t find a better season to visit this place than that.
Winter: This is your least busiest season but it’s also the one with the least views and the least amount of stuff you’ll be able to do. I’d say visit here if you’re just passing by the area without any other plans. The only real thing you may be able to do here during this season is hike.
You should also keep in mind that with the changing seasons, different precautions are necessary. Winters can be gorgeous with the snow-dusted landscape, but trails can be slippery, so come prepared with proper hiking boots and caution.
In terms of facilities, think rustic. The area is preserved to maintain its natural beauty, so you won’t find extensive visitor centers or cafes here. There is a bathroom right by the parking lot though.
Nearby attractions:
Seven Tubes isn’t the only amazing place to visit in the greather Pinchot National Forest area and there’s plenty of other things you can see afterwards, whether on the same day or perhaps on the next if you’re planning an overnight stay.
- To start, there’s historic town of Wilkes-Barre where you’ll find plenty of things to do.
- If history and culture are what you’re after, consider a visit to Eckley Miners’ Village or the Steamtown National Historic Site. Both offer historic experiences of the area worth checking out.
- Then there’s also the treetops at a nearby zip-line adventure park.
- If you visit during the winter, one big advantage is that you’ll have more than a few ski slopes to explore near the area.
- Also for spring-summer seasons, there are local vineyards and farmers markets in the area which offer a taste of the area’s produce and could be the perfect way to wind down after a day of hiking.
- Finally I’m going to recommend you check out the Nay Aug Park about 30 minutes away which offers it’s own beautiful hikes, scenery, waterfalls and much more.
I encourage you to create an itinerary that blends the natural beauty of Seven Tubs with these fantastic nearby attractions which is why I detailed a diverse list of them to have you plan out what types of activities you’d be interested in doing. So whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or going solo, expanding your visit beyond the tubs can enrich your experience and provide lasting memories.