Hawk statue at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Some days call for a little elevation and a slower pace. A walk through the woods, a sweeping mountain view, and time spent watching birds soar overhead can turn a weekend away into something memorable.
For guests staying at Bischoff Inn in Tamaqua, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary offers an opportunity to build a day around hiking, wildlife, and Pennsylvania’s ridge-and-valley scenery. Just a 27 minute drive away, the sanctuary protects approximately 2,500 acres of forest and maintains more than eight miles of hiking trails, with options ranging from accessible lookout paths to demanding rocky routes.
Make it an outdoor adventure for two, a birdwatching excursion, or simply a chance to step away from your usual routine.
What Makes Hawk Mountain Special?
Visitor at Hawk Mountain
Hawk Mountain is more than a scenic hiking destination. It is a private, nonprofit wildlife sanctuary where trail admission and membership fees support raptor conservation, habitat stewardship, and trail maintenance. Your visit helps sustain the work behind the views.
One of its signature experiences is the annual Autumn Migration Hawkwatch. From August 15 through December 15, counters monitor southbound birds of prey from North Lookout, and visitors can watch the migration alongside them. It is an opportunity to experience wildlife observation connected to an ongoing conservation effort.
You do not have to be an experienced birder to enjoy a visit. Come for the landscape, bring your curiosity, and allow time to sit and watch rather than treating the lookout as a quick photo stop.
Choose the Right Hike for Your Visit
Hawk Mountain’s trails vary considerably in difficulty. A short route to an accessible overlook and a rugged ridge hike are very different experiences, so choose your outing according to your comfort with uneven ground and rock scrambling.
South Lookout: A Shorter Walk With Scenic Views
Hawk Mountain South Lookout
South Lookout is a good starting point for visitors who want a mountain overlook without committing to a longer hike. It sits approximately 175 yards from the entrance gate, reached by a groomed path that can accommodate motorized wheelchairs and manual wheelchairs with assistance.
The sanctuary also describes a wheelchair-accessible loop using the Silhouette Trail to reach South Lookout and returning by the Lookout Trail. For visitors with specific mobility needs, review the current trail information or contact the sanctuary before arriving.
During the migration season, South Lookout offers an additional learning opportunity: an observer-interpreter is stationed there daily from September through early November.
For a relaxed couples’ outing, this shorter option leaves plenty of time to linger over the scenery and enjoy the rest of your day.
North Lookout: The Classic Hawk Mountain Experience
Hawk Mountain North Lookout
North Lookout is the focal point of the sanctuary’s autumn migration count. The most direct way to reach it is the Lookout Trail, making this the natural choice for visitors who want to combine hiking with time at the hawkwatch.
Expect a more demanding outing than the short approach to South Lookout. The climb includes uneven, rocky terrain, with boulders near the lookout. Wear footwear with dependable traction and choose your pace accordingly.
Once you arrive, give yourself time to settle in. The experience is as much about watching the sky and appreciating the landscape as it is about reaching the top.
Longer Trails: For Experienced Hikers
Visitors looking for a bigger challenge can explore the sanctuary’s more rugged routes, but these should not be treated as casual extensions of the lookout walk.
The Skyline Trail, for example, follows the KittatInny ridge and includes difficult terrain, four-point rock scrambling, and a 30-foot vertical descent just beyond North Lookout. The sanctuary recommends it only for experienced hikers.
Review the official trail descriptions before choosing a longer route. If a relaxed getaway is your goal, there is no need to tackle the hardest trail to have a rewarding visit.
When to Visit Hawk Mountain
Autumn: Plan Around the Migration
Autumn is the most active season at Hawk Mountain. The annual migration count runs from August 15 through December 15 at North Lookout, creating an extended window for visitors interested in watching southbound raptors.
A fall visit pairs naturally with a weekend centered on outdoor scenery. Plan enough time for both the walk and the lookout experience rather than scheduling the sanctuary as a brief stop between other activities.
Other Seasons: Come for the Trails and Lookouts
Hawk Mountain lookout point
Hawk Mountain welcomes visitors year-round, so your trip does not have to coincide with the autumn hawkwatch. The trails and lookouts offer reasons to visit beyond migration season, subject to current conditions and closures.
Before traveling, check the sanctuary’s latest notices. Holiday closures and seasonal trail restrictions can affect access, including closures associated with scheduled deer hunting season.
What to Know Before You Go
Location
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is located at:
1700 Hawk Mountain Road
Kempton, PA 19529.
Use the sanctuary’s visitor address when planning your drive from Bischoff Inn, and check current directions before departure.
Admission
The sanctuary currently lists these trail admission rates:
Adults: $10.
Seniors age 65 and older: $7.
Children ages 6–12: $5.
Children age 5 and younger: free.
Members: free.
Non-members can purchase admission at the Visitor Center or online. Check the current ticket instructions and prices before your visit, since procedures and rates may change.
Hours and Closures
The sanctuary currently lists daily Visitor Center and trail hours of 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with holiday exceptions and seasonal restrictions. Consult the admission and hours page for your specific date rather than assuming every trail will be open.
What to Bring
Keep your packing simple and suited to your route:
Sturdy walking shoes or hiking footwear.
Water and a snack.
Layers for changing conditions.
Binoculars, if you have them.
A charged phone and a copy of the official trail map.
Enough time to walk comfortably and pause at the lookouts.
Stay on designated trails. Hawk Mountain is a protected sanctuary, and hiking is restricted to its marked trail system.
A Hawk Mountain Weekend at Bischoff Inn
Bischoff Inn Junior Suite
Friday: Arrive and Settle In
Begin your weekend at Bischoff Inn and leave the first evening unhurried. Enjoy dinner in Tamaqua (check out our local dining options here), check the next day’s forecast, and choose a hike that suits everyone in your group.
Saturday: Spend the Day at Hawk Mountain
Head to the sanctuary with time to enjoy the experience without rushing.
For a gentler visit, choose South Lookout and the accessible loop. For a more active day, take the Lookout Trail toward North Lookout and allow time to watch the sky. During the autumn hawkwatch, make the migration count part of your visit.
Keep the rest of your schedule flexible. A shorter hike can leave room for another stop, while a longer outing may make a relaxed meal and an evening back at the Inn especially appealing. Consider a stop at Stoker’s Brewing Company to top off the day.
Sunday: Enjoy a Slower Morning
After a day on the mountain, ease into your final morning. Leave time for breakfast at Hope & Coffee or brunch at the Tamaqua Station Restaurant before heading home.
The best weekend does not have to include the most activities. Sometimes one memorable outdoor experience with enough time to enjoy it is plenty.
Make Bischoff Inn Your Home for a Hawk Mountain Getaway
Hawk Mountain offers several ways to spend a day together: a short walk to a scenic lookout, a more challenging hike, or time watching migrating raptors from the ridge.
Pair that outdoor experience with a stay at Bischoff Inn in Tamaqua, and build a getaway that balances adventure with downtime. Explore the mountain at your own pace, then return for an evening with nowhere else you need to be.
Explore availability at Bischoff Inn and start planning your Hawk Mountain getaway.