Check out Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year and Trail of the Year in this PA Wilds town

Despite the fact that Warren is one of the larger cities in the PA Wilds, nature is never far away. The proximity of the Allegheny River and the Allegheny National Forest make Warren an outdoor lover’s paradise.

It’s clear that the residents of Warren love their Allegheny River. Some have even set up businesses because of it! Allegheny Outfitters, located on Clark Street right along the riverside, provides kayak and canoe rentals, along with transportation or guided paddles and even overnight experiences for adventurers. The store also offers all the high quality gear for camping, paddling, climbing and backpacking you might need.

About 87 miles of the Allegheny River was added as a National Wild and Scenic River in 1992. This isn’t all of the river, and in fact accounts for mostly the part of the river that runs through the Pennsylvania Wilds region, including the 7 miles below Kinzua Dam to the Route 6 bridge in Warren, as well as the 48 miles from Buckaloons Campground to Alcorn Island (by Oil City), and 32 miles from south of Franklin to Emlenton. This “National Wild and Scenic” portion of the Allegheny River is the part that many travelers will paddle on when they rent a kayak in Warren.

Want to enjoy the Allegheny River but don’t want to get into the water? Sit by the riverside in Warren and listen to the sound of the rushing water. Bent Run Brewing Company also sits on Clark Street along the river, and it’s a perfect place to have a few brews while gazing out at the beautiful and powerful Allegheny River. Or grab a to-go cup from the Arbor Coffee House and Tea Shop and take a walk along the river’s edge to clear your mind.

The Trails at Jakes Rocks is a more than 30-mile adventure mountain bike loop, expertly designed and carefully maintained by dedicated volunteers. Thanks to additional funding, volunteer trail developers are continuing to expand the trail system with new paths.

New to biking? No worries! The Trails at Jakes Rocks offers segments with varying skills levels, bringing thousands of visitors to the Allegheny National Forest each year. Class 1 e-bikes are now permitted on the Jakes Rocks Trail System. Permitting class 1 e-bikes allows more people to start mountain biking or to continue enjoying this outdoor pursuit as they age or their physical condition changes.

That’s right… you could enjoy the 2024 Trail of the Year while looking at the 2024 River of the Year! One of the most popular places to see the Allegheny River from the Trails at Jakes Rocks is at the Jakes Rocks Overlook, just off of the Longhouse Scenic Byway. Although you can hike or bike to some beautiful overlooks, many of the views can also be seen roadside from your car or by parking at the Jakes Rocks Picnic Area parking lot and taking a short walk to an overlook spot.