Chris Kemmerer, DCNR Bureau of State Parks education and interpretation section chief, at a press conference launching the DCNR America250PA GeoTrail at Codorus State Park in York County, Pa. Created in honor of America's 250th, the GeoTrail guides visitors to 25 state parks, where themed geocaches share stories from Pennsylvania's past through a technology driven scavenger hunt.

“America’s story lives on Pennsylvania’s land,” said Cindy Adams Dunn in announcing the America250PA GeoTrail, an effort to mark America’s 250th anniversary and urge residents and visitors alike to get outdoors and enjoy the state’s parks.

Dunn, secretary of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said initiatives like the GeoTrail create new opportunities for everyone to connect with the places that shaped our nation.

“As we honor the past, we are investing in the future to ensure these lands remain protected and accessible for generations to come,” Dunn said during a news conference at Codorus State Park in York County.

The GeoTrail leads visitors to 25 state parks where themed geocaches reveal stories from Pennsylvania’s past through a technology-driven scavenger hunt. There is no fee to take part in the GeoTrail.

Shawnee State Park in Bedford County is among the parks listed on the trail.

With the geocache theme of Fort Louden & Forbes Road (GCBM13R), visitors to Shawnee State Park will uncover the story of how Forbes Road began, the part it played in the Revolution and beyond. The hike to find this cache is about half a mile over easy terrain.

Participants seeking this cache will learn about Forbes Road, which ran from Carlisle all the way to Pittsburgh in the mid 1700s. It was about 200 miles long and built under orders from General Forbes.

Forbes camped his army within the boundaries of the park while marching the Forbes Road in the campaign of 1758 against the French at Fort Duquesne, Pittsburgh. The rear guard of the army was commanded by George Washington, who slept here on Oct. 15, 1758.

People can still walk remnants of the Forbes Trail within Shawnee State Park.

Those who complete all 25 locations will receive a commemorative coin. Participants should use GeoCache.com’s website to log their finds and email DCNR the submission for the coin.

To get started, participants will need to visit the DCNR’s website at pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/what-to-do/geocaching/dcnr-geo-trail. Click on map locations to learn about the hike to the cache, coordinates and themes.

Each park features a unique cache that highlights a piece of Pennsylvania history that occurred at the park, organizers said.

“Pennsylvania’s story lives in its landscapes — in the places where people worked, played and helped shape the nation,” said Cassandra Coleman, executive director, America250PA. “The DCNR America250PA GeoTrail invites people to explore our state parks in a new way, connecting history and the outdoors through discovery and hands-on experience. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, this initiative helps bring our shared history to life and helps ensure that every corner of Pennsylvania has a place in this milestone.”