Water Trails
Water Trails
The Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region has endless paddling adventures with four water trails offering hundreds of miles to explore. The Wild & Scenic Clarion River flows through the Elk State Forest, Bendigo State Park, the towns of Johnsonburg and Ridgway, the Allegheny National Forest, and Cook Forest State Park. Paddlers and boaters can access the mighty Allegheny at West Hickory and Tionesta in Forest County. The Little Toby Water Trail runs to the Clarion River and cuts through a beautiful remote valley lined with hardwood forests. With three branches, the Sinnemahoning Water Trail is highlighted by picturesque landscapes in heart of Pennsylvania’s Wild Elk Country through the Bennett Valley, Bucktail Natural Area in the Driftwood Valley, and the Elk and Sproul State Forests in Sinnemahoning Valley.
Allegheny River Water Trail
More than 315 miles in length, the Allegheny River originates in scenic north-central Pennsylvania, making a brief foray into New York state before returning to form the northern and western border of much of the Allegheny National Forest as it zigzags southward. In 2017, the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers named the Allegheny River Pennsylvania’s “River of the Year” for its biologically diverse watershed, scenic beauty, historical significance, and variety of recreational offerings.
Little Toby Water Trail
From its genesis near the small town of Kersey in south-central Elk County, the Little Toby Creek cuts through a beautiful valley lined with hardwood forests. As it works its way southwest and slowly begins to widen, it approaches Brockway, then turns north toward the Clarion River.
Clarion River Water Trail
The Clarion River meanders through the narrow valleys and hardwood forests of the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region for 110 miles, flowing from Johnsonburg through Cook Forest to Clarion and ultimately joining the Allegheny River near Foxburg. Forested mountain slopes teeming with wildlife, intermittent riffles on the water, and rock outcrops above its surface provide a picturesque backdrop for outdoor recreation. Nearly 52 miles of the river have been designated as scenic and recreational under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and adjacent public lands along its shores provide abundant opportunities for camping, hunting, hiking, bicycling, wildlife watching, and picnicking.
Sinnemahoning Water Trail
The new Sinnemahoning Water Trail offers paddlers more than 75 miles to explore through picturesque landscapes. Spend the day in heart of Pennsylvania’s Wild Elk Country as you paddle through the Bennett Valley. Enjoy a scenic adventure in Bucktail Natural Area in Driftwood Valley and wonder at the beautiful Elk and Sproul State Forest in Sinnemahoning Valley. The Bennett Branch and Driftwood Branches begin as small streams high the mountains of Elk and Cameron Counties. As these streams reach the valley floors they are transformed into beautiful calm rivers. In the town of Driftwood, the Bennett Branch and Driftwood Branch converge to form the mighty Sinnemahoning Creek which is famous for outstanding paddling and fishing opportunities.