Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest offers year-round riding
Northwestern Pennsylvania offers fantastic riding opportunities in the Allegheny National Forest, which offers more than 100 miles of trails.
The Marienville and Timberline OHV trails are the most popular. Just a short drive away are the Rocky Gap and Willow Creek trails.
Hardwood forest dominates the area, with scenic trout streams meandering through the valleys, and ridges with scenic vistas that make for great riding.
The Marienville ATV/Bike Trail offers 14 miles of trails. The trailhead is on state Route 66 11 miles east of the town of Marienville or 15 miles southwest of Kane. The parking areas offer good parking and toilets. This trail allows ATVs, motorcycles and bicycles. Pay attention to the trail markers since some of the trails are two-way. Even on one-way trails, be careful because there may be riders mistakenly going the wrong way.
Traveling west on the “ATV Trail” you will connect with the “Bike Trail Area” that allows motorcycles, ATVs and bicycles. The Bike Trail Area has narrow, winding trails with switchbacks and hill climbs suited for more skilled riders.
Riders can connect to the 39-mile Timberline ATV Trail on the east side of the Marienville trail. The Timberline trail also can be accessed from state Route 948, north of Ridgway.
The 22-mile Rocky Gap ATV Trail is accessed from Township Road 3005, southeast of Warren. The 11-mile Willow Creek ATV Trail is on the eastern side of the Allegheny Reservoir, just south of the New York state line. It’s closed during the winter season.
Primitive camping is allowed along the trails but not at trailheads, except at the Timberline ATV trailhead where camping is restricted to designated sites.
Allegheny National Forest officials keep their winter-months closings as brief as possible. As soon as the ground is frozen the trails open for winter riding Dec. 20 to April 1. If unseasonably warm/wet weather conditions occur, trails can be temporarily closed to prevent damage.
The trails take on an entirely different look in winter. Be sure to wear proper cold-weather gear.
Summer riding dates start the Friday before Memorial Day and continue until the last Sunday in September.
Permits are required for riding the Allegheny National Forest trail system. The annual permit is $35. An application is available at www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd528640.pdf.
For current trail conditions, temporary trail closures and other information, contact the Allegheny National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 4 Farm Colony Drive, Warren, Pa. Telephone: (814) 723-5150. Website: www.fs.usda.gov/activity/allegheny/recreation/ohv.