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ON THE ROAD WITH JACK 2022-Recap
Jack the skeleton and photographer Jenna Fields were back for year number two of on the Road with Jack. Jack visited a different place in Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region every day during October. The daily Facebook segment was very popular, so much so that, we...
List Of Greats! Forest County
There are lots of great things to discover in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region. We continue our series of great things to see and do in each of the 5 counties that make up Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region and Cook Forest State Park. Here is a list of...
List Of Greats! Cook Forest
There are lots of great things to discover in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region. We continue our series of great things to see and do in each of the 5 counties that make up Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region and Cook Forest State Park. Here is the next story in...
List Of Greats! Elk County
List Of Greats! Elk County There are lots of great things to discover in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region. For the next several months we will look at great things to see and do in each of the 5 counties that make up Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region and Cook...
Clear Creek State Forest
Clear Creek State Forest comprises 16,229 acres in Clarion, Forest, Jefferson, and two other counties. Many of those acres are located along the banks of the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers. Other tracts rest on the Allegheny Plateau and grow a diverse collection of...
Quirks, Oddities, and Unusual Attractions
You won’t find schools closing for the first day of buck season in Philadelphia, and people don’t consider spotlighting for deer a great date idea in D.C. Baltimore doesn’t have a weather-predicting groundhog, and Buffalo doesn’t hold weeklong festivals to celebrate...
Endless Outdoor Adventure
Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region has more than a million acres of woodlands, so you have endless opportunities for adventure and exploration here. Whether you hike, bike, kayak, canoe, fish, geocache, watch wildlife, take photos, or ride horses, ATVs, bicycles, or...
10 THINGS FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS TO COOK FOREST
The stunning natural beauty of Cook Forest State Park makes it the perfect place for a fun getaway any time of year. Here is a list of 10 THINGS TO DO AND SEE FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS TO COOK FOREST. 1. HIKE THE FOREST CATHEDRAL: Exploring the towering giant white...
ON THE ROAD WITH JACK
Each day during October on our Facebook page we featured a photo of Jack the skeleton on the road at different locations throughout Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region. The response to Jack’s travels has been amazing. Many people have asked us for a list of places...
10 GREAT OVERLOOKS
Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region is blessed with abundant natural beauty. The lush forests and mountain vistas provide visitors spectacular scenic views. Here are 10 great overlooks in region to take in the view. 1. Seneca Point/Fire Tower offers commanding views...
10 Ways to Beat the Heat in Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors Region
Summer 2021 has been very hot and humid. Everyone seems to be looking for ways to stay cool, so we have come up with a list of 10 Ways to Beat the Heat in Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region. 10 Ways to Beat the Heat in Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region. Go...
Elk County-Home of PA’s Wild Elk Herd
Named for the wild elk that historically roamed this area and were reintroduced in the early 1900s, Elk County is home to nearly 1,400 of these magnificent animals and watching them in the wild is a memorable activity the whole family will enjoy. The best spot to view...
500+ ACRES ADDED TO Allegheny National Forest
In June, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the transfer of 532 acres of forestland along the Clarion River near Ridgway in Elk County to the U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Forest Service to become a new addition to the Allegheny National Forest....
Ancient Old Growth Forests of Cook Forest
For more than a century, the woodland charms of Cook Forest have attracted vacationers in search of peace and quiet in nature. The unspoiled 8,500-acres Cook Forest State Park serves as the area’s main draw, but visitors can also find a wide range of lodging and...
Arts and Culture in PA’s Great Outdoors Region
Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region may be best known for its endless outdoor adventure and beautiful natural attractions, but it also offers a wide variety of cultural destinations and experiences to explore. Whether you enjoy the performing arts, one-of-a-kind...
Forest County-Gateway to the Allegheny National Forest
As its name suggests, thick woods cover the beautiful, wild, and rugged landscape of Forest County. Nearly half of the county’s acreage lies within the dense Allegheny National Forest (ANF), and with so much unspoiled nature, the area offers exceptional fishing and...
COOK FOREST FOR COUPLES
The natural beauty of Cook Forest State Park makes it the perfect place for a romantic getaway any time of year. Here is a list of 10 THINGS FOR COUPLES ENJOY IN COOK FOREST. 1. Climb the Fire Tower: It is one of the most iconic landmarks in “The Forest”. The...
The History of Big Run, Elk County, Pennsylvania
By Bob Imhoff Big Run not to be confused with Big Run located in Jefferson County was the site of the huge Central Pennsylvania Lumber Company logging railroad operation known as the Bear Creek Tramroad. The site and lands surrounding Big Run are tied by ownership to...
10 PLACES TO SEE FALL FOLIAGE
The Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region is blessed with vast expanses of forests that come alive with rich colors of red, yellow, orange, and gold each autumn. There are so many places to experience the beauty of the season, but here is list of 10 great places to see...
10 Ways to Cool Off
With the summer heat and humidity many people are looking for ways to cool off. Here are 10 great ways to beat the Summer heat in Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region. 1. Float down a river on kayak, tube, raft, or canoe on one of our water trails....
Dutch Hill Forest
If you want to really get off the beaten path and explore nature, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Dutch Hill Forest might the perfect place for you. This lush secluded land is open to the public and supports diverse forest communities and varying terrain within...
10 Free Things to do in Cook Forest
Story about things you can do at no charge in the Cook Forest area.
The History of Loleta
A story about the history of the town of Loleta in Elk County.
Try Something New in 2020
Ideas of things to do in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region.
History of the Henry, Bayard Company And the Rolfe and Northern Railroad
Historical story of railroads and railroad companies in Elk County, Pennsylvania.
Quirks, Oddities, and Unusual Attractions in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors
The area’s unique character has generated a number of quirky attractions, events, and phenomena, so no matter which corner of the region you explore, you’ll discover some eccentric and intriguing destinations.
Looking Back on 2018
2018 has been an exciting year at the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau and across the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region, even if it was a little wetter than normal.
Artistic Expression
The Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region may be best known for its endless outdoor and natural attractions, but it also offers a wide variety of cultural destinations and experiences to explore. Whether you enjoy the performing arts, one-of-a-kind crafts, or striking visual art, you’ll find something to pique your interest here.
Top 10 Fall Adventures in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors (Part One)
We’ve identified 10 of the top adventures you can enjoy in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors this season and some of the spectacular places where they can be found. Today, check out the first five great options for adventure, and tune back in next week for Part Two!
Fall Driving Tours
Fall Driving Tours Fall Driving Tours The mountain forests in our part of Pennsylvania are priceless natural wonders. They are renowned for their inspiring beauty, especially in the fall as the colors of the leaves turn orange, mustard and scarlet. As the dappled...
Free Things To Do
Free Things To Do Take A Hike There are hundreds of miles of trails here where you can stroll beneath giant ancient trees in Cook Forest, hike through the restored Climax Tunnel on the Redbank Valley Trail, see waterfalls in the Quehanna Wild Area, explore the vast...
East Brady Park Improving for the Future
The small town of East Brady in southwestern Clarion County is building a pavilion for their Riverfront Park and needs help from the public.
Seeing Stars in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors
The Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region is home to some of the very darkest skies in the eastern United States, and here, the boring backdrop you’re used to seeing from an urban vantage point becomes a captivating nighttime canvas freckled with a million pinpricks of light.
March Events in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region
As the weather begins to warm up and we move toward the renewal of spring, you can find lots of exciting happenings in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region. Check out these events to keep you busy all month long. March 2-17: Medicine & Magic at Clarion...
Cook Forest: Old Forest, New Adventure
Written by Danielle Taylor | Header photo by Brian Young If you’ve never visited Cook Forest and haven’t yet grasped what a special place this is, consider where it got its name. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Cook family made their living by logging the...
Plan your Valentine’s Day Getaway in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors
By Danielle Taylor With February upon us, it’s time to start making Valentine’s Day plans. Whether you want to whisk your loved one away for a romantic weekend or have been talking with your friends about doing a girls’ or guys’ trip, the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors...
Endless Miles of Adventure
Written by Danielle Taylor | Header photo by Jeff London On October 2, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and National Trails System Act into law, and with the stroke of a pen, he protected thousands of miles of rivers and trails...
Summer
Summer Get ready for a fun-filled Summer in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors! We have plenty of suggestions for your family vacation or short getaway from your everyday life. Free Things To Do We’ve compiled a list of activities and fun places to visit in the...
Spring
Spring Warm spring air, sweetened by the newly green landscape is inviting you to get outside, shake off the winter chill and enjoy a refreshing Great Outdoors getaway! Fishing and Paddling Guide Anglers and kayakers will love this twenty-page brochure. It is an...
Allegheny National Forest
Allegheny National Forest Discover The Allegheny National Forest The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is Pennsylvania’s only National Forest. Visitors can enjoy hundreds of miles of trails designated for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing,...
Counties
Counties Welcome to thePennsylvania Great Outdoors! The PA Great Outdoors region is a big, beautiful part of Pennsylvania and the perfect destination for family fun and outdoor adventure. It’s home to the rolling Appalachian Mountains and more than a million acres of...
10 Ways to Beat the Heat in Northwest Pennsylvania – PA Great Outdoors
Sometimes with the heat and humidity of summer, you just need to find a way to cool off. Here is a list of 10 ways to beat the heat in the PA Great Outdoors region. Pine Crest Cabins – in Cook Forest offers you the chance to rev up and splash around while you...
PA Great Outdoors Biker’s Ride Guide
Most bikers know that a good trip is all about the journey, not the destination. Heck, most bikers don’t even have a destination in mind when they hit the road. That’s just part of the thrill, part of the freedom that’s made the American motorcycle culture what it is...
Outdoor Adventure – Part Two
On The Water The pleasure and relaxation offered by a day spent boating or paddling on one of our many sparkling waterways is hard to beat. The 87-mile stretch of the Allegheny River flowing through our region is a nationally designated Wild & Scenic river. French...
Outdoor Adventure – Part One
(Above photo of Baker Trail in Cook Forest by Jeff London) Hitting the Trail With beautiful scenery all around, and miles of trails, hiking and bicycling are two of the most popular activities in the region. Hikers love the Clarion/Little Toby Trail, which runs from...
Cook Forest State Park: America’s Best Old-Growth Forest
(Above photo of the Clarion River by Kyle Yates) Regardless of where you travel in the great state of Pennsylvania, you’re never too far away from a beautiful and majestic forest landscape. When the original piece of land was granted to William Penn in 1681, it was...
The Maid of Blue Rock
by Bob Imhof During the early history of the Little Toby Creek Valley two names seem to stand out, a General Wade and family and their companion a Mr. Slade. Sometime around 1798, General Wade and family and Mr. Slade (may have been Lieutenant Slade) settled...
Interesting Stops in Elk Country
By Adam McCully Whether you’re there for the elk viewing, the historic towns, or the scenic drives through rolling mountains, Wild Elk Country is one of the most majestic tourism destinations in Pennsylvania. Abundant in both history and natural beauty, Elk Country...
30 Things to do This Memorial Day
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. There are so many events happening this Memorial Day weekend in the PA Great Outdoors region that we thought we would help you plan your holiday with a list of 30 things to do. Experience the Cook Forest Living History...
