Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds

500,000 acres of beautiful

Covering more than 500,000 acres, the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is Pennsylvania’s only national forest. It dominates the western end of the Pennsylvania Wilds and contains within it and around it some of the region’s most treasured places and experiences.

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Allegheny National Forest

Open skies, rolling mountains, and forest abound in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF), Pennsylvania's only National Forest. Established in 1923, the ANF covers 517,000 acres. The Allegheny National Forest's motto "Land of Many Uses" speaks to the balance of outdoor recreation, watershed protection, wildlife habitat management, and sustainable forestry practices. The ANF contains an 87-mile meandering northward segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NST). (Photo by: Leslie DeVore)

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Longhouse National Scenic Byway

Enjoy life in the slow lane! Unwind as you travel along the scenic two-lane meandering Longhouse National Scenic Byway, through the Allegheny National Forest.

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Allegheny Reservoir

Surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest, Kinzua Dam and the Allegheny Reservoir are in the center of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation areas in the northeastern United States.

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Allegheny River

With 86.6 miles of recreational use, the National Wild & Scenic Allegheny River flows through forest valleys, wilderness islands and rural landscapes.

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Allegheny National Forest ATV Trails

Rev up and feel nature's breeze at higher speeds. The Allegheny National Forest is home to over 100 miles of ATV trails, located in both the northern and southern portions of the ANF. The largest interconnected trail is in the southern ANF, located between Marienville and Kane, where motorized recreation enthusiasts travel great distances to enjoy a 76 mile trail system and easy access to traveler amenities like fuel, food and lodging nearby.

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Zippo Case Museum

The Zippo Manufacturing Company is one of the PA Wild's most iconic brands, world famous for their collectible Zippo lighters. Visit the Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford, where fans and collectors from across the globe gather to experience the rich history of these two American and Pennsylvania Wilds' icons. The Zippo/Case Museum hosts more than 100,000 visitors and collectors annually from all around the world.

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The Trails at Jakes Rocks

The Trails at Jakes Rocks is a new stacked loop mountain biking trail. This 30+ mile trail was developed in partnership with world renowned trail development company, Trail Solutions, sister company of IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association).

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Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center and Sky Walk

Named “One of the World’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Skywalks and Viewpoints in the World” by the Culture Trip, U.K, the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk is an engineering masterpiece with a rich history and one of the most stunning views you’ll see in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

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Kinzua Dam

Measuring 1,897 feet long, the Kinzua Dam provides flood protection from the Allegheny River, and also produces hydroelectric power.

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Pennsylvania Synchronous Firefly Season

See the magnificent Allegheny National Forest Fireflies! Enjoy a mesmerizing light show from Mother Nature! The Pennsylvania Synchronous Firefly Season lasts from the summer solstice into the second week of July, with annual mating displays of over fifteen different species of firefly in the Allegheny National Forest. The views of the Synchronous firefly and the unique "Chinese Lantern" firefly along the Tionesta Creek are mesmerizing. The P. Carolinus firefly is unique in that its flash patterns are in sync with each other, so they appear to be a string of Christmas lights hanging in the forest.

Year Round Ideas

Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter

Tour De Forest

The popular Tour-De-Forest is a an ATV leisure ride through the scenic Allegheny National Forest on designated forest roads and trails that are not usually open to ATV traffic. The Tour-De-Forest has a very low difficulty level, is family-friendly, and good for riders of all experiences levels and ages. The Tour De Forest is always scheduled on the third weekend in May and the a Fall Tour-De-Forest runs the first weekend in October. Hosted by the Marienville Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., the Tour-De-Forest requires a special use permit. Please review their website for important rules and regulations.

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Art in the Wilds

Art in the Wilds is a juried fine-arts show held in Kane each year near the end of June. Featuring artists from a variety of mediums, Art in the Wilds is an outdoor event set in beautifully wooded Evergreen Park in the heart of Kane, Pennsylvania. Kane sits on the edge of the Allegheny National Forest. Evergreen Park is located on Route 66 (which is also South Fraley Street). This art show features high quality food vendors, a student art show and art demonstrations. Admission is free!

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Kinzua Bridge State Park Fall Festival & Leaf Peeping

Each September, enjoy the Annual Kinzua Bridge Fall Festival with live entertainment, vendors, food, and a terrific Autumn Leaf view from the Kinzua Bridge! Bring a chair or dance while listening to local musicians play bluegrass/country tunes! Enjoy free admission to the Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center museum exhibits, visit the PA Wilds Conservation Gift Shop and be sure to venture out onto the Skywalk for one of the most stunning views in the region.

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Warren County Winterfest

Held at Chapman State Park in late January of each year, Winterfest is the largest winter event in the Pennsylvania Wilds. Featuring family friendly events, vendors and refreshments, and special attractions like a mid-distance sled dog race, ice fishing and skiing. Winter is also for snowmobiling in the ANF! The Allegheny National Forest Snowmobile Loop passes through Chapman State Park. Snowmobilers riding the four-county Loop are welcome to stop at the park and enjoy Winterfest. Please, no pets! Photo: Joe Powell of Parma, OH launches his team in the Six-Dog Pro Race, part of the Jim Lobdell Memorial Sled Dog Races at Chapman State Park. (photo by Walt Atwood)

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About the Allegheny National Forest (ANF)

Within the forest boundaries, the motto is “Land of Many Uses” and any visitor to the ANF will find out what that means. The forest provides an environment for watershed protection, wildlife habitats, and recreational opportunities, as well as sustainable forestry.

 

Completely surrounded by the ANF, Kinzua Dam and the Allegheny Reservoir are in the heart of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation areas in the northeastern United States. Learn about an important piece of history by visiting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Big Bend Visitor Center just downstream of the Kinzua Dam.

 

The southern gateway to the ANF is in Marienville – home to the bi-annual Tour-De-Force and epic motorized recreation trails. The town of Tionesta provides access to the scenic Minister Creek hiking trail.

 

If traveling on the Longhouse Scenic Byway, include a stop off at the breathtaking vista on the way to Jakes Rocks, a mountain-top hiking area with stunning views of the Kinzua Reservoir. In addition to hiking, Jakes Rocks is also home to the newly built Mountain Bike Trails at Jakes Rocks, a world-class trail installation for mountain bikers at all skill levels.

 

Want more big rocks and big views? Across the Reservoir is Rim Rock, another well known mountain-top hiking area among massive boulders, offering wide views of the Reservoir.

 

A hiking journey on the North Country National Scenic Trail and a paddling voyage on the National Wild & Scenic Allegheny and Clarion rivers, are just some of the best ways to experience this landscape. Hike among the Big Trees at Heart’s Content, and take in the serenity of this vast expanse of nature. The ANF is known as “Trail Central” with hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing, horse trails, ATV Trails, and snowmobile trails.

 

The ANF and Surrounds are home to unforgettable and unexpected places, like the towns of Warren and Kane, and Kinzua Bridge State Park, home to the Kinzua Viaduct and Skywalk. Once the world’s longest and tallest railroad structure, the Viaduct was partially destroyed by a tornado in 2003. In 2011, the engineering masterpiece was reinvented as a new pedestrian walkway where visitors can stroll 600 feet out on the remaining support towers, peer miles out into the Kinzua Gorge as well as peer down into the partial glass platform at the end of the walkway. Picnicking and trail opportunities are available.

 

A road trip via the Kinzua Experience or Scenic Route 6 journeys will take you east towards the town of Smethport, on the edge of the Dark Skies region.

 

Your visit to the ANF and Surrounds requires a few nights stay to enjoy the wonders of the natural environment and excitement of modern advances that have made this Landscape one of the most special here in the Wilds and the United States.

 

Plan Your Trip

Our local tourism partners provide on-the-ground tips, maps, itineraries and more.

Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau

The Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau (ANFVB) provides in depth traveler information ranging from trail guides, to outdoor recreation, must-see stops, road trips, shopping, lodging and more! Request a brochure and check the ANFVB calendar for special events.

 

Pennsylvania Great Outdoors

The Pennsylvania Great Outdoors (PAGO) provides traveler resources for a 3-county region that extends into the Allegheny National Forest.

Warren County Visitors Bureau

The Warren County Visitors Bureau (WCVB) covers the northwestern portion of the Allegheny National Forest, and is a gateway to the Kinzua Dam. Get informational resources on exploring this part of the Allegheny National Forest & Surrounds landscape by connecting with WCVB.

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