Allegheny National Forest

March 19, 2024

YouTube in the Pennsylvania Wilds – “Forest County Outback” 

While hiking through the PA Wilds’ Allegheny National Forest & Surrounds over the years I cannot remember how many times I have come upon a stack of ancient foundation stones or old lumber in the middle of nowhere and wondered, “What’s the story with this, what was this, why is it here?” Somehow, somewhere, there must be somebody who knows something about these little mysteries. Meet Forest County’s Terry Janosik who has investigated at least 40 of them.

March 11, 2024

Apply for the Artist-in-Residence Program at the Allegheny National Forest

The USDA Forest Service is once again accepting applications for the Artist-in-Residence Program at the Allegheny National Forest. Applications for the 2024 summer and fall residencies will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2024. The Artist-in-Residence Program provides artists of all mediums the opportunity to pursue their craft outside of their normal environments, with free housing in the ANF and a stipend for those three weeks.

February 8, 2024

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

For its second time in ten years winning the prestigious award, the Allegheny River in the western section of the Pennsylvania Wilds has been selected by a public vote as Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year. Just days after the River of the Year announcement in late January, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced that Pennsylvania's 2024 Trail of the Year is the Trails at Jakes Rocks, a 35-mile natural surface trail system located in the Allegheny National Forest. The city of Warren is lucky enough to have both the Allegheny River and the Trails at Jakes Rocks, meaning that you can see both the 2024 River of the Year and 2024 Trail of the Year in one visit.

February 1, 2024

Trails at Jakes Rocks named as Pennsylvania’s 2024 Trail Of The Year

The Trails at Jakes Rocks, a 35-mile natural surface trail system located in the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County, has been named Pennsylvania’s 2024 Trail of the Year. The trails, located in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the PA Wilds, are used primarily for mountain biking. However, other types of recreation such as hiking, trail running, and cross-country skiing are also permitted.

December 21, 2023

Snowmobile season begins in the Allegheny National Forest

Snowmobile season is officially open in the Allegheny National Forest, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The season started at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, December 15, 2023, and snowmobile trails will remain open until 12:00 p.m. on March 31, 2024. Sufficient snowfall is needed for the trails to be usable.

November 14, 2023

Down Life’s Crazy Road: Trails and tales

Last time, I wrote about my planned round trip bike ride in late October from Kane to Warren and back through the Allegheny National Forest and Kinzua Recreation Area. Turns out the overnight ride was cancelled as it rained the day of the return trip from Warren back to Kane. But while it temporarily put those plans on hold, it allowed me the opportunity to take a closer look at the planned routes I was to take. I did this by taking a day trip last month by car.

October 19, 2023

Class 1 e-bikes now allowed on Trails at Jakes Rocks

The US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service announced that District Ranger Rich Hatfield signed the decision notice for the Class 1 E-bikes Trails at Jakes Rocks Project, officially allowing these e-bikes onto the Trails at Jakes Rocks in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the PA Wilds.

October 10, 2023

Down Life’s Crazy Road: Kane-Warren fall foliage bicycle trip

This year John Pozza wanted to explore the towns of Kane and Warren in McKean and Warren counties, respectively, as part of an overnight fall foliage bicycle trip along the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the PA Wilds. These two towns have undertaken significant redevelopment the past few years and are "must visit" locations.

September 18, 2023

Celebrate the Allegheny National Forest’s Centennial on September 24, see full schedule of events

The USDA (United State Department of Agriculture) Forest Service is inviting the public to participate in a day of celebration to commemorate one hundred years since the establishment of Allegheny National Forest. Part of the celebration on September 24, 2023, at Twin Lakes Recreation Center will include food trucks and vendors, ceremonial tree planting, ceremonial cake cutting, gathering items to place in a time capsule, guides hikes and history walks, live music, and remarks from officials.

August 9, 2023

Allegheny National Forest Centennial Celebration planned for September 24 at Twin Lakes

The USDA Forest Service is inviting the public to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Allegheny National Forest’s establishment on Sunday, September 24, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Twin Lakes Recreation Area in Wilcox, Elk County. Admission is free for this family-friendly event. Planned festivities include live music, guest speakers, kids' activities, commemorative giveaways, interpretive hikes, an expo of organizations, history displays, food trucks, and beverage vendors.