<p>Are there any forests or wilderness around Penn for hiking and other outdoor activities? I really enjoy being in nature and I was just wondering if Penn had anything to offer in that aspect (within driving distance, hopefully).</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Fairmount Park is not too far away and has many acres of woods, trails, etc. The Poconos in northern PA are also an easy drive from Penn. The area is beautiful.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Anything like this near the Penn Campus? I heard Penn had their own forest/park thing? Anyone know anything about that?</p>
<p>Fairmount Park is only a few minutes away by car.</p>
<p>nice and large, too. fairmount is the largest urban landscaped park =)</p>
<p>fairmount park is nice to run to and then around around on its "loop" - an 8.5 mile trek next to the schuykill.</p>
<p>if youre into long distance stuff, that is. If not, you could just run to the art museum and back.</p>
<p>It's a very nice campus, but definitely an urban environment. Fairmont Park is a city park, not really a place for a lot of nature activities. If you have a car, then driving outside the city to parks and forests is quite possible, if you are willing to go ~40 mins- 1 hour on a weekend. Then you hit some beautiful country.</p>
<p>I think you are referring to Penn's Arboretum. It's not on campus, it's in the burbs, but not that far and you can take a train out there.</p>
<p>If you really want the deep, dark, woods, you can take a ride to the Pine Barrens of NJ. You might even stumble across a former Sopranos family member.</p>
<p>Or the New Jersey Devil.</p>
<p>I'm not going into any wilderness if my Lacoste shirt is going to get dirty</p>
<p>Within driving....say 1 hour plus 15 min you can be at the NJ Shore.....beautiful beaches and boardwalks......biking, running, all that being on the beach with nature implies. I go to the beaches anytime during the year and I always return refreshed.</p>
<p>there's the bio pond of course. That's an interestingly natural and almost woodsy secret corner of campus.</p>
<p>Biopond is a wee bit small for such ordeals as hiking (unless you don't mind going in circles), but it is more than big enough to sit in and feel one with nature...it's almost surreal knowing you're surrounded by city because it sure doesn't feel like it</p>
<p>I know Penn has an arboretum, but I am unsure as to where it is. Wow, I can't believe it's been one year since I used to get on these board and ask a billion questions about the schools I was interested it...Time sure does fly...</p>
<p>haha...well at least you chose penn instead of yale (while yale may be better for regular 18-22 undergrads, i have no doubt that Penn is a better choice for people in your situation)</p>
<p>Anyway, the biopond is behind the Quad. Check this map.</p>
<p>See it?</p>
<p>Absolutly! Penn is the better choice for ANYBODY! All of you new posters who are attempting to chose between Penn and some other Ivies, Penn is without a doubt the place to be...academically and socially. I chose Penn over Yale, Georgetown and Johns Hopkins and it was the best decision I ever made for myself.</p>