Contact Information
158 South Second Avenue
Clarion, PA 16214
814-226-1904
The Clear Creek State Forest, comprised of 9,089 acres in northern Jefferson County, 3,165 acres in Venango County and 1,012 acres in southern Forest County, is named after the crystal clear stream that flows through the Jefferson County tract.The Bureau of Forestry manages the Clear Creek State Forest for recreation, timber, oil and gas production and wildlife. The Forest has much to offer the recreation visitor. Clear Creek State Park provides overnight camping facilities, swimming, fishing, hiking trails and day use areas. Bear Town Rocks is a vista with an excellent view of State Forest Land accessible by trail or automobile is a favorite spot for many visitors. The Hays Lot Fire Tower offers a panoramic view of great distances. For a special treat, visitors can tour the laurel fields located on Spring Creek Road during the early June wildflower season.
The trail system maintained by the Bureau of Forestry is identified by orange blaze markings on trees along the trail route. Also included in this system is a five-mile cross-country ski trail located in Forest County. The Venango County tract has over six miles of frontage on the Allegheny River. The area provides a scenic backdrop for boaters and fishermen using this part of the Allegheny River.
The entire State Forest is open to public hunting and fishing during seasons as established by the Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commissions. Deer, wild turkey, squirrel, grouse and black bear are common in this area.
The Clear Creek State Forest, comprised of 9,089 acres in northern Jefferson County, 3,165 acres in Venango County and 1,012 acres in southern Forest County, is named after the crystal clear stream that flows through the Jefferson County tract.
The first parcel of land, 3,200 acres, was purchased by the state in 1919 for $6,880. Many additional tracts have been purchased since, the last being in 1980. In 1883, the first sawmills were built in the area, generally along streams, where white pine and hemlock were cut almost exclusively. Many of the timbers were then made into rafts and floated down the Clarion River to Pittsburgh. Records show that at least three logging railroads existed here after 1864 utilizing a wooden rail system.
By 1905 nearly all the virgin forest had been cut from the present State Forest Land and most of the area was burned over. The fire apparently started near the present Sigel Hotel and spread north and east, jumping the Clarion River near Heath Pump Station and spreading nearly to Lolita before it was extinguished by rain.
Today, these State Forest Lands are managed under the "Multiple Use Management" system, which involves the consideration of all uses and places the highest priority on the most important use for a given area. Within this framework, the Bureau of Forestry manages the Clear Creek State Forest for recreation, timber, oil and gas production and wildlife.
The State Forest has much to offer the recreation visitor. Clear Creek State Park provides overnight camping facilities, swimming, fishing, hiking trails and day-use areas. Bear Town Rocks is a vista with an excellent view of State Forest Land accessible by trail or automobile is a favorite spot for many visitors. The Hays Lot Fire Tower offers a panoramic view of great distances. For a special treat, visitors can tour the laurel fields located on Spring Creek Road during the early June wildflower season.
The trail system maintained by the Bureau of Forestry is identified by orange blaze markings on trees along the trail route. Also included in this system is a five-mile cross-country ski trail located in Forest County.
The Venango County tract has over six miles of frontage on the Allegheny River. The area provides a scenic backdrop for boaters and fishermen using this part of the Allegheny River.
The entire State Forest is open to public hunting and fishing during seasons as established by the Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commissions. Deer, wild turkey, squirrel, grouse and black bear are common in this area.
Pennsylvania generally has a moist climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Clear Creek State Forest area has cold winter months with temperatures averaging around 22 to 24 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 to -4 degrees Celsius). The area's average summer temperatures range around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius).
