Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Explore the Beautiful Outdoors in Clarion County

You may not know it, but Pennsylvania has its own wild west. Instead of saloons and gunslingers, this region is full of old growth forests, endless trails, untouched wilderness, winding rivers, and so much history. This is Clarion County, home to the 6,000-acre Cook Forest as well as sections of the Allegheny and Clarion Rivers. While this beautifully preserved area is ideal for outdoors adventures—from hiking, trail biking, and ATV rides to river exploration in the warmer months—it’s also home to plenty of history. You can start your day with a scenic overlook or two, visit the country’s oldest golf course in continuous use, then walk or bike Rail Trail 66 before stopping off at Lost in the Wilds Brewery for a pint or two of local brew. The lush, untouched nature shares space with curiosities like an enormous roadside cow and a possibly haunted old house that doubles as a local museum. Note that there isn’t any public transportation in Clarion County, and cellphone reception can be spotty. So you’ll want to bring (or rent) your own car to explore in, and pick up a map through AAA, at the Cook Forest ranger station, or access maps and brochures here. What better place to escape the screens and embrace that off-the-grid, adventurous spirit.