The Wild & Scenic Clarion River meanders through the narrow valleys and hardwood forests of Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region flowing from East Branch Lake to Johnsonburg then through Ridgway to Cook Forest State Park. Forested mountain slopes teeming with wildlife, intermittent riffles, and rocky outcrops along its edge 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.
Each section of the Clarion River Water Trail has a unique character. The East and West Branches of the river offer great opportunities for experienced paddlers due to more narrow and faster waters sometimes blocked by trees, and paddlers here most enjoy the water in the spring and after recent rainfall. Boat and canoe launches, and other amenities can be found at Elk State Park and Bendigo State Park, which also offer hiking trails, picnic areas, and other recreational facilities.
The East and West Branches come together at Johnsonburg to form the main Clarion River, which continues downstream to Ridgway. This section of the river offers fantastic trophy wild brown trout fishing. From here, the river begins its scenic and recreational section, as it continues southwest and begins to widen. It borders state game lands and the Allegheny National Forest. This is truly a beautiful and remote span of the river. Between Portland Mills and Irwin Run, three Class I+ rapids (X, Y, Z rapids) provide a bit of a challenge to paddlers. Visitors will find liveries in Johnsonburg and Ridgway to help you explore the upper sections of the river.
Below Spring Creek, the Clarion River borders River Road, which offers a scenic drive and easy access to the river and some limited campsites in the Allegheny National Forest. The section of the river between Johnsonburg and Clarington provides anglers with miles of exceptional trout and smallmouth bass fishing.
The river’s character becomes gentler as it nears Cook Forest State Park. This section is popular for family recreation. Famous for its magnificent old-growth forests, the Cook Forest area features many hiking trails, easy river access, good fishing, and great picnicking spots. The Seneca Point Overlook and Fire Tower just downriver from the town of Cooksburg provide spectacular views of the Clarion River Valley. In the town of Cooksburg, you’ll find lodges, cabins, B&Bs, restaurants, campgrounds, shops, canoe liveries, and lots of other attractions for vacationers young and old to enjoy.
Download or request free water trail maps at VisitPAGO.com/free-information.
