Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region covers more than a million acres in Cameron, Elk, and Forest Counties. The great north woods offer endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and exploration. Whether you hike, bike, kayak, canoe, fish, geocache, watch wildlife, take photos, hunt, or ride horses, ATVs, bicycles, dirt bikes, or snowmobiles, you’ll find plenty of destinations perfect for your favorite type of outdoor recreational activities here.
Hit the Trail
Hundreds of miles of trails from rugged backcountry paths to wide, smooth rail-trails crisscross the region, and the area’s natural scenic beauty and rolling mountains offer an endless variety for trail users of all types to explore. Hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, ATV, ADV motorcycle, dirt-bike riders, snowmobilers, and cross-country skiers can find trails designed for their specific sports as well as multi-use trails that accommodate more than one type of trail activity.
In Cook Forest State Park, hikers can walk through the majestic Forest Cathedral, a National Natural Landmark filled with giant pine and hemlock trees, with some dating back to the 1600’s. The 1.2-mile Longfellow Trail passes through some of the tallest, oldest, and largest eastern white pine in the northeastern U.S. Nearby, Seneca Trail leads to the Fire Tower and the Seneca Point overlook that provides visitors with commanding views of the Clarion River Valley below.
From Ridgway, the 18-mile Clarion-Little Toby Trail follows the path of a former rail line through the Clarion River and Little Toby Creek Valleys. Along the way, visitors can see what remains of ghost towns, a flooded dam, and a train wreck, or take a fun detour on a swinging bridge over Little Toby Creek. In Eastern Elk and Northern Cameron Counties, the new four-season West Creek Trail spans 18 miles between St. Marys and Emporium, giving hikers, bikers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobilers a great place enjoy the day. 
The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) features hundreds of miles of trails offering a variety of trail lengths and difficulty levels to accommodate any hiker. Come explore the Buzzard Swamp Trail System, which provides some of the best wildlife and bird watching opportunities in Pennsylvania’s only National Forest. The Twin Lakes Trail north of Ridgway, the Beaver Meadows Trail System near Marienville, and Minister Creek Trail near Tionesta are also great ways to explore all the ANF has to offer visitors. The Black Cherry Trail in the Allegheny National Forest is designated as a National Recreational Trail and showcases some of the region’s industrial heritage as well as its natural beauty.
In the winter, cross-country skiers can enjoy the Laurel Mill and Little Drummer Trails in the Allegheny National Forest. The Sand Springs Trail in Elk State Forest offers an additional 2.3 miles of slopes and curves for skiers, and the Hunters Run Trail System in Cornplanter State Forest features nested loops for hikers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers to explore depending on their abilities and interests. Sinnemahoning State Park also offers cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snow shoeing opportunities during the winter months.
Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region features hundreds of additional miles of trails, and you can access maps by going to VisitPAGO.com. Trail maps are also available at state parks and national forest offices.
On the Water
Less than one-quarter of one percent of the United States’ rivers are protected under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region is fortunate to contain two of these gems, the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers, along with hundreds of miles to explore on other beautiful waterways.
The Allegheny winds through narrow forested valleys and across broad rural landscapes, and more than 100 undeveloped islands dot its path, including seven in the Allegheny Islands Wilderness near Tionesta that allow overnight camping. Canoers, kayakers, and tubers can float down the river throughout the warmer months. The Allegheny was the 2024 PA River of the Year and offers anglers year-round opportunities to enjoy excellent muskellunge, bass, and walleye fishing.
Portions of the Clarion River, a tributary of the Allegheny, have similarly been designated as scenic and recreational. The river meanders for more than 100 miles past undisturbed forests and steep-sided hills, and it creates a remote sense of isolation while still providing multiple easily accessed launch points. Kayak and canoe liveries in Cooksburg and Ridgway provide rentals and shuttle services to make floating the river easy for visitors. Northern Clarion is famous for trophy brown trout, and the entire river system is teeming with fish and wildlife.
In Cameron and Elk Counties, the Sinnemahoning watershed with Bennett Branch, Driftwood Branch, and Sinnemahoning Creek combine to provide more than 75 miles of seasonal paddling routes. At Sinnemahoning State Park in Cameron County, the George B. Stevenson Reservoir spans nearly three miles of shoreline, and the boat mooring area offers great views of bald eagles and ospreys seeking fish. During the summer, the park offers interpretive pontoon boat rides that detail the wildlife and geography of the area.
ATV, UTV, Dirtbike, ADV Motorcycle, and Snowmobile Riding
If you love kicking up dust or splashing through mud, check out the 100-plus miles of trails in the Allegheny National Forest open to ATV and dirt-bike riders. The Marienville, Penoke, and Timberline trails follow the routes of old roads and rail lines throughout the forest, and they vary in difficulty to give riders of all levels a thrill. In the spring and fall, roads and trails usually closed to the public open for the popular Tour-de-Forest events, giving riders a chance to explore a wider network of trails. The Elk County Riders and Marienville ATV Club are local clubs that offer ATV enthusiasts more riding opportunities. The new Elk Couty Trail of Dreams ATV System connects communities in Elk County through municipal roads and private land trails.
Snowmobilers can find even more trails open to them in the Allegheny National Forest, with approximately 365 miles open for the popular winter sport. Marienville, known as the Snowmobiling Capital of Pennsylvania, hosts a winter festival each January with food and outdoor activities during the day followed by an inspiring Torchlight Snowmobile Parade after dark. Marienville Trail Riders Snowmobile Club helps with the trail upkeep and promotes the sport in Forest County. The Elk and Moshannon State Forest also provides miles of winter snowmobiling fun.
Beginner and intermediate snowmobilers can find trails suited to their ability level on the Timberline Trail near Ridgway, while Sizerville State Park has 66 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, and Sinnemahoning State Park provides easy access to a 25-mile trail system. Snowmobiles are also permitted on the West Creek Trail that connects Emporium to St. Marys.
Horseback Riding
While many trails in the area welcome horseback riders as well as other users, equestrians can enjoy several trails here dedicated specifically for their use. In Elk State Forest, the highly scenic Thunder Mountain Equestrian Trail lets riders view elk and other wildlife as they pass through woods and beautiful vistas of Pennsylvania’s wild elk country. Trail maps and information are available at the forest office in Emporium or call (814) 486-3353.
Throughout Allegheny National Forest, horses are permitted on hundreds of miles of Forest Service roads, and open riding is permitted except on specified hiking and cross-country skiing trails. Spring Creek Horse Trail, located just outside of Marienville, winds through a beautiful remote area of the forest for nearly 40 miles. For more information, contact the Marienville Ranger Station at (814) 927-6628. 
In Cook Forest State Park, equestrians can check out the Bridle Trail and Browns Run Trail, and horses are also welcome on state forest and old wood roads. Find out more by calling (814) 744-8407.
Private stables also charter guided trail rides in the region, including several in the Cook Forest area.
Fishing
Cold mountain streams, clear flowing rivers, and quiet lakes crisscross the region, and anglers can find a wide variety of fish in these waters.
The Clarion River is an excellent fishery making it an ideal destination for anglers seeking diversity. In Elk County, fishermen can find a wealth of trophy brown trout, and as the river makes its way to Cook Forest, smallmouth bass and other trout species can be caught as well.
Cameron County boasts some of the very best fishing in the state, and anglers can find miles of secluded waterways here. This rugged region features many excellent trout streams, and the Driftwood Branch and Sinnemahoning Creek are two of the best-kept smallmouth bass secrets in the Eastern U.S.
The Allegheny River near Tionesta is known for big muskies and good walleye and bass fishing.
Native brook trout live in many of the mountain streams here, and stocked brook, brown, golden, and rainbow trout help increase your chances of hooking your share. Additionally, lakes such as Tionesta Lake in Forest County, East Branch Lake in Elk County, and George B. Stevenson Reservoir in Cameron County offer excellent fishing. Each spring, many local sportsmen’s clubs host popular youth fishing derbies and Elk County hosts an annual Trout-A-Thon.
Cook Forest has a special fishing pond at Tom’s Run and the Ross Run children/special needs fishing area in Forest County are both stocked with trout just for use by children 12 and younger and people with disabilities.
Hunting
Northwest Pennsylvania boasts strong populations of whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear, elk, and small game with plenty of public hunting opportunities. The topography includes dense forests, open meadows, lakes, streams, and wetlands that provide ideal habitat for a rich diversity of game animals, and abundant food sources, including nut trees, berry bushes, and wild grapes support healthy game populations.
For licenses and complete information on hunting, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website. Elk hunting licenses are chosen by lottery drawing each July at the Elk Expo at Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette.
