History
The Clear Creek State Forest was founded on September 1, 1920, with the district office in Clarion. The two largest tracts in Heath Township, Jefferson County and were the earliest purchases in 1919. This purchase included most of what was established as Clear Creek State Park in 1963. The latest acquisition was the 3,184 acre Kennerdell Tract in Venango County made in 1980. This tract includes a stone iron furnace on Bullion Run that was constructed in the 1840's and remnants of past and present oil and gas production sites. Logging was a major industry in this region in the early 1800's. The original forest consisted of white oak, chestnut, sugar maple, beech, hickory, birch, cherry, basswood, cucumber magnolia, poplar, butternut, sycamore, black ash, elm, pine and hemlock. The first sawmill in Heath Township was built along the river in 1833. The early mills were generally located on streams and cut mostly white pine. Most of the timbers and boards were then made into rafts and floated down the Clarion River to Pittsburgh. In the spring of 1864, the firm of Wright and Pier began hauling logs by rail. The railroad was built of cribbing and stringers having wooden rails and wooden pins. The line ran from an area in southeastern Heath Township along Johns Run to the firm's sawmill at the mouth of Callen Run on the Clarion River near the present day Heath Pump Station, a distance of four miles. Records show that at least two other logging railroads operated on what is now the Clear Creek State Forest. By 1905, nearly all the virgin forest had been cut. The second growth forest that followed the timbering period contained many more hardwoods than the original stands. Red, white, black, chestnut and scarlet oaks, chestnut and smaller amount of red maple, cherry, birch, beech, and tulip poplar made up most of the new growth. Soon after logging, most of this area was burned over. In 1903 a fire 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. Charred scars on old stumps still show evidence of this fire. In 1921 a fire tower was built at Hays Lot and was used for forest fire detection until 1994. Chestnut blight first appeared in this area around 1912 and six years later, most of the American chestnut was dead. White oak and chestnut oak replaced the chestnut in most stands.
Don't Move Firewood To help protect the forest from invasive insects that can kill trees and devastate the ecosystem, please do not transport firewood over long distances. Firewood can harbor insects such as emerald ash borer. Cut or purchase your firewood where you intend to burn it.
DCNR Bureau of Forestry manages our state forests for their long-term health and productivity while conserving native wild plants. These forests are “working forests” and provide a whole suite of uses and values to Pennsylvania citizens, all while maintaining the forest’s wild character. Our state forests are managed for pure water, recreation, scenic beauty, plant and animal habitat, sustainable timber and natural gas, and many other uses and values. The management of our state forests is guided by the State Forest Resource M anagement Plan. Ecosystem Management The Bureau of Forestry has adopted “ecosystem management” as its principal strategy for managing state forests. This approach seeks to conserve the natural patterns and processes of the forest while advancing long-term sustainability. Ecosystem management promotes the conservation of plant and animal communities and the landscapes and habitats that support them. It also accounts for needs and values of people and communities. This results in a holistic, integrated approach to managing forest resources. A Working Forest As you travel throughout the state forest, you’ll see examples of our forests “at work.” Some of these management practices are more noticeable than others, such as active timber harvests, deer exclosure fences, natural gas drilling sites, prescribed fires and gypsy moth spraying. Others are more subtle, such as the protection of a vernal pool, the buffering of a stream from timber harvesting, or the setting aside of a special area to conserve its wild character or protect a rare plant community. Each of these management practices and activities play a vital role in the management and conservation of our state forest system. Certified “Well Managed” Pennsylvania’s 2.2-million-acre state forest system is one the largest certified forests in North America. The forest is certified (FSC-C017154) by the Rainforest Alliance under the Forest Stewardship Council™ standards. The FSC® is an independent organization supporting environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests.
Hiking is available throughout Jefferson County portions of the State Forest on 35 miles of trails including the Little Clear Creek Trail, Silvis Trail, Trap Run Trail, Beartown Rocks Trail and North Country Trail. A section of the North Country Trail runs through the Maple Creek tract in Forest County. Another network of trails allows hikers to explore the Kennerdell tract in Venango County and enjoy vistas above the Allegheny River. These trails are mapped on the Clear Creek State Forest Public Use Map. Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is authorized on all State Forest roads and trails, with the exception of those trails designated off limits to horses at the Kennerdell Tract in Venango County. Mountain Biking
Mountain bikes may be used on most roads and trails on Clear Creek State Forest unless otherwise posted. Only Dennison Run Trail is permanently off limits to bicycles. Degree of difficulty varies considerably.
Hiking
Hiking is available throughout the Jefferson County portions of Clear Creek State Forest on 35 miles of trails including the Little Clear Creek Trail, Silvis Trail, Trap Run Trail, Beartown Rocks Trail and North Country Trail. A section of the North Country Trail runs through the Maple Creek tract in Forest County. Another network of trails allows hikers to explore the Kennerdell tract in Venango County and enjoy vistas above the Allegheny River. These trails are shown on the Clear Creek State Forest Public Use Map. Picnicking
Picnicking is permitted anywhere on state forest land although the Clear Creek State Forest does not have any designated picnic areas. Camping
A camping permit is required for overnight camping on state forest land. Certain watersheds near exceptional value or high quality waters are posted closed to camping. Camping permits can be obtained in advance by calling or stopping by the district office during business hours. Special permits are needed for groups larger than ten people. Primitive backpack camping is permitted along all but the Beartown Rocks and sections of the Little Clear Creek trails. Primitive backpack campers do not need a permit if they stay no more than one night at any campsite. Hunting
Hunting for deer, turkey, grouse, squirrels, rabbits, and black bear is a popular use of the forest during designated seasons. Other than a few safety zones around leased camps and forestry buildings, hunting is permitted throughout the state forest. Fishing & Boating
Fishing for cold and warm water species is available during the appropriate season in the many creeks that wind through the forest. At the Kennerdell Tract in Venango County, more than six miles of the Allegheny River, as well as Dennison and Bullion runs are available for fishing. The Clarion River contains both trout and smallmouth bass. Stocked trout streams include Maple Creek, Clear Creek, and Callen Run. The Heath Township Sportsman Club maintains a small trout nursery at Heath Pump Station on Callen Run. Sightseeing
Beartown Rocks, a vista with an excellent view of the Allegheny Plateau, is located one eighth of a mile off Corbett Road. It is accessible by automobile or by foot via the Beartown Rocks Trail that originates at shelter 5 at Clear Creek State Park. There is an Auto Tour of the forest with informative stops that show the history and ecology of the area. Brochures are available from the Park office. Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is authorized on all State Forest roads and trails, with the exception of those trails designated off limits to horses at the Kennerdell Tract in Venango County. Mountain Biking
Mountain bikes may be used on most roads and trails on Clear Creek State Forest unless otherwise posted. Only Dennison Run Trail is permanently off limits to bicycles. Degree of difficulty varies considerably.
Pennsylvania’s state forest system includes dozens of special wild and natural areas set aside to protect unique or unusual biologic, geologic, scenic and historical features or to showcase outstanding examples of the state’s major forest communities. Natural areas are “managed” by nature and direct human intervention is limited. They provide places for scenic observation, protect special plant and animal communities and conserve outstanding examples of natural beauty. Wild areas are generally extensive tracts managed to protect the forest’s wild character and to provide backcountry recreational opportunities. While Clear Creek State Forest does not have any designated wild or natural areas, it does contain areas that are specially managed. Dennison Run, in the Kennerdell Tract, is an exceptional value watershed with a reproducing native brook trout population. The Pine Run area has unique rock formations and a section of the Callen Run tract is managed as an old growth/late succession oak forest.
Clear Creek State Park
Located along the Clarion River in Jefferson County, this State Park has overnight camping facilities, swimming, fishing, hiking trails, and day use areas. Cook Forest State Park
Cook Forest State Park encompasses 6,668 acres in northwestern Pennsylvania. Bordered by the picturesque Clarion River, the park is most known for old growth white pine and hemlock timber stands. Classified as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service, Cook Forest State Park is often referred to as the "Black Forest" of Pennsylvania.
For more information about Clear Creek State Forest feel free to contact us at: Clear Creek State Forest
Kittanning District Office
158 South Second Ave.
Clarion, PA 16214-1904
(814) 226-1901
fd08@pa.gov State Forest Rules and Regulations State Forest Picnic Area Rules and Regulations
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