Clear Creek State Park

Clear Creek State Park encompasses 1,901 acres in Jefferson County.

The park occupies a scenic portion of the Clear Creek Valley from PA 949 to the Clarion River.

The park has camping, rustic cabins, and Clarion River access for fishing and boating.

Hiking at Clear Creek State Park

25 miles of trails

Trails begin in the scenic Clear Creek Valley and follow Clear Creek, wandering across the surrounding hillsides to several scenic overlooks and along the Clarion River.

Most trails follow old roads or logging skid paths through second growth, mixed hardwood, and evergreen forests. An understory of mountain laurel and rhododendron bloom during mid-June and early July respectively.

Big Coon Trail
0.17 mile, easiest hiking

This old logging trail connects Big Coon Picnic Area to Clear Creek Trail.

Big Spring Trail
0.32 mile, easiest hiking

This trail, named for an old spring, has large rocks and many spruce plantings.

Boundary Trail
0.4 mile, more difficult hiking

This short trail connects Hunters and Irish Rock trails, partially following the state park boundary.

White dots and silver medallions marked “Pennsylvania State Park Boundary” signify the boundary between public and private land.

Clear Creek Trail
1.44 miles, easiest hiking

This trail traverses the length of the park and is one of the longest and most popular.

Frazier Trail
0.75 mile, more difficult hiking

Large red oak trees abound along this steep trail that climbs to the top of the hill that towers over Clear Creek.

Hunter Trail
1.9 miles, more difficult hiking

This trail travels through a hardwood forest with mountain laurel and is very popular in the fall and winter.

The steep, long hill on the west side is not for the faint of heart.

Korb Trail
0.4 mile, easiest hiking

Created by anglers walking along Clear Creek, this trail is an easy walk.

North Ridge Trail
0.32 mile, more difficult hiking

This old logging trail travels uphill from the trailhead, crossing Pipeline Trail and intersecting Hunter Trail.

Ox Shoe Trail
0.43 mile, easiest hiking

Learn about the logging history of Clear Creek by using the self-guided trail brochure available at the park office and at the nature museum.

Phyllis Run Trail
1.19 miles, more difficult hiking

The trail starts on Clear Creek Road, goes through Phyllis Run Picnic Area, and climbs a steep grade before leveling off.

Phyllis Run Loop Trail
1.3 miles, more difficult hiking

This trail follows along both sides of Phyllis Run. Watch for running water on the rock fields.

Pipeline Trail
0.91 mile, easiest hiking

Named for the system of springs which piped water to Camp S-53, this wide access trail has a very gentle grade.

Radcliffe Trail
0.68 mile, easiest hiking

Winding through a hardwood and evergreen forest, this trail is named after the first park manager who directed the planting of the spruce tree plantation along the trail.

Ridge Trail
1.66 miles, more difficult hiking

The trail passes through a hardwood forest and follows Truby Stream through an evergreen and hardwood forest.

River Trail and Irish Rock Trail (spur)
0.72 mile, more difficult hiking

River Trail is a loop with a spur trail called Irish Rock Trail.

The trail follows the Clarion River through hardwood, evergreen, and rhododendron forests.

Irish Rock Trail, mostly an old logging road, was named for a rock along the Clarion River used during the lumber era as an evening resting spot to tie up rafts.

Saw Mill Trail
0.52 mile, more difficult hiking

This old logging trail along Truby Stream has a moderate grade for a short distance.

Tadler Run Trail
3.34 miles, more difficult hiking

Traversing through northern hardwoods and mountain laurel, this trail offers two seasonal, scenic overlooks in the fall and spring when the trees are bare.

The trail winds through areas of thick rhododendron and makes a loop that begins and ends in the campground when Truby Trail or Sawmill and Clear Creek Trails are also used.

Tobecco Trail
3.8 miles, more difficult hiking

This 8-mile hiking trail connects Cook Forest and Clear Creek state parks.

The trail runs east from Route 36 in Cook Forest State Park along the Clarion River to Route 899, before entering Clear Creek State Park.

3.8 miles are located in Clear Creek State Park, 3.3 miles of which run in conjunction with Tadler Run Trail.

Truby Trail
0.88 mile, easiest hiking

This wide trail gently traverses three-quarters of the way up the side of a steep hill.

Zerby Trail
0.79 mile, easiest hiking

The trail passes through a northern hardwood forest until it intersections with Ridge Trail and a large area of rhododendron.

Stay the Night at Clear Creek State Park

Camping
flush toilets, warm showers, electric hookups

There are 53 campsites each with a picnic table and fire ring.

40 campsites have electric hook ups.

This activity or structure is ADA accessible. Two campsites are ADA accessible.
Showers, flush toilets, and a sanitary dump station are available.

Pets are permitted at designated sites for a fee.

Campground access is not guaranteed during severe weather.

Near the campground are a nine-hole disc golf course and a concrete basketball court.

Canoe/Kayak Campsites
Two canoe/kayak campsites are located at the southern end of the campground. These sites are for individuals and groups canoeing or kayaking on multi-day trips down the Clarion River. Use is limited to one night and tents only. Maximum group size is eight people.

Swimming at Clear Creek State Park

The 180-foot sand beach is open from late May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. - sunset.

Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules.

This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
Smoke-Free Beach
Smoking is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area. For visitors who smoke and still want to use this beach, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes:

Cigarettes
Pipes
Cigars
E-cigarettes
Other handheld, lighted smoking devices

Wildlife Watching at Clear Creek State Park

Nearly four miles of the Clarion River flow through the park. However, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the valley and approximately 24 miles of the river throughout both Clear Creek and Cook Forest state parks and the Clarion River Lands.

The Clarion River is designated a National Wild and Scenic River for its scenic beauty, water quality, and archaeological significance.

Many sections of the river provide a glimpse into the past. Since the river was used as a transportation route, signs of settlements are located along the river banks. The most prevalent signs are from the logging era. Bracket dams and log landings are still visible.

Because river corridors are natural transportation routes, the Clarion River hosts a great diversity of plants and animals.

Plant species include:

Cardinal flower
Mountain laurel
Rhododendron
Many species of forest trees
Common bird species include:

Bald eagle
Great blue heron
Kingfisher
Merganser
Wild turkey
Mammal species include:

Black bear
Deer
Muskrat
Porcupine
River otter
Do Not Feed Wildlife
Feeding wild animals is prohibited. When wildlife loses fear of people, these animals can become pests, and dangerous situations can result.

Black bears are native to this area. All food should be put away after use and kept in a tight, secure container in the trunk of a car or in a camper.

Kayaking and Canoeing at Clear Creek State Park

The Class 1 Clarion River provides excellent canoeing and kayaking, especially during the spring and fall.

The average downward flow is four miles per hour. Two popular paddling trips are four and 10 miles in length.

There are public boat launches at both Cook Forest and Clear Creek state parks.

Fishing at Clear Creek State Park

The Clarion River flows along the border of the park and provides fishing for:

Trout
Warmwater game fish
Panfish
Clear Creek is stocked with trout seasonally.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.

Hunting and Firearms

During established seasons, about 1,000 acres of Clear Creek State Park are open to:

Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
Common game species are:

Bear
Deer
Squirrel
Turkey
Over 10,000 acres of adjacent state forest lands and more than 500,000 acres of Allegheny National Forest are also open to hunting.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.

DCNR and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply.

 This activity or structure is ADA accessible. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons.

In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's vehicle or enclosed trailer. Exceptions include law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms are authorized to carry a firearm concealed on their person while they are within a state park.

Cross-Country Skiing at Clear Creek State Park

Cross-country skiing is recommended on:

Clear Creek Trail
Saw Mill Trail
Portions of Truby Trail
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is permitted on all trails.