Parks & Recreation Areas
Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors Region is where adventure begins. Home to breathtaking state parks, expansive state forests, scenic recreation areas, and Pennsylvania’s only national forest, this spectacular region offers thousands of acres of public lands waiting to be explored. From towering old-growth forests and scenic overlooks to peaceful lakes, clear flowing streams, and abundant wildlife, every season brings a new reason to get outside here.
Whether you’re hiking through Cook Forest’s Forest Cathedral, paddling the Clarion or Allegheny Rivers, spotting elk in their natural habitat, mountain biking the region’s growing trail network, exploring scenic backroads, fishing world-class trout streams, or camping beneath some of the darkest skies in the eastern United States, you’ll find endless opportunities to create unforgettable memories.
The region also offers miles of trails for horseback riding, ATV riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, gravel cycling, wildlife watching, and geocaching, making Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors Region a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts of every age and ability. From peaceful nature walks to backcountry adventures, you’ll discover that some of Pennsylvania’s greatest treasures are found right here, where wild places, fresh air, and authentic outdoor experiences are never far away.
Come explore Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors Region and discover why so many visitors return season after season to experience the beauty, recreation, and adventure found throughout our parks, forests, and recreation areas in Cameron, Elk, and Forest Counties.
15 ponds with 11.2 miles of trails offering exceptional wildlife viewing. Important link on the Atlantic flyway waterfowl migration path. Cross-country skiing, mountain biking, hiking, hunting, and fishing.
This 2.47-acre park features 3 basketball courts, a playground, restrooms, a pavilion, a concrete walking path, and convenient on-street parking.
Clear Creek State Forest is 16,229 acres in Jefferson, Clarion, Forest, and two other counties with many of those acres along the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers.
Clear Creek State Park encompasses more than 1,900 acres and occupies a scenic portion of the Clear Creek Valley. It offers hiking, camping, rustic cabins, and Clarion River access for fishing, swimming, and paddling.
Go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, water slide, Fun Park Grill, gift shop, Super Fun Pass, group rates, log cabin rentals, pavillion, picnics, FUN.
The park has a lighted ice-skating pond, 10 acres of sledding slopes, and three designated cross-country ski trails along River Road. Open during winter, weather permitting.
8,500-acre park with old-growth forests along Clarion River, hiking trails, camping, cabins, playgrounds, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, scenic views, and wildlife.
1,585 acres named for Chief Cornplanter, leader of the Seneca Nation. Activities: hiking, biking, camping, fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, and cross-country skiing.
24-acre natural area in Medix Run along Bennett Branch. Open to public for hiking, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing. Received 2018 PA Wilds Great Places Award.
630 acres public forested acres, laurel and rhododendron thickets, hemlock wetland, rock outcrops, Clarion River frontage for off-trail hiking, wildlife watching, and hunting. Managed by Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
