Wrangler, Cherokee, and Grand enthusiasts: Enjoy Jeep Sporting Destinations

April 2001

By Wes Bower

Visualize a circle connecting and encompassing the communities of Jamestown and Olean in New York with Port Allegheny, Coudersport, Emporium, Ridgeway, Clarion and Warren in Pennsylvania. Situated within the boundaries of this imaginary circle, you will find a land of outdoor recreational opportunities that few areas can duplicate. Bradford easily qualifies for the hub of this magical land.

Bradford, located in northern McKean County near the New York border, has a population of approximately 10,000. It's readily evident that the goal of most of these northwestern Pennsylvania residents is not only to enjoy the great out-of-doors but also make an extended effort to assure that visitors do likewise.

A visit to our imaginary circle would not be complete without a drive across Route 6 from Warren to Port Allegheny, a distance of about 78 miles.

Located a few miles east of Coudersport is the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum. A visit to this museum lets you relive the years in the 1800s era when the region helped to build a young America. You can go back in time by viewing a reconstructed camp, a blacksmith shop, a carpenter shop, a shay-geared logging automotive and a log loader.

South of Coudersport, the Austin Dam ruins are the sight of Potter County's worst disaster. In 1911, a dam break leveled two towns, killing 89. The area is listed in the National Register of Historic places.

Ski Denton, east of Coudersport, is the home of the steepest slope in the east, the Avalanche. North of Denton Hill State Park, located in Brookland, is the historic All Saints Episcopal Church. Featuring Italian marble and authentic English stained glass, it is a replica of a cathedral in England. It was constructed in the late 1800s.

Route 6 bisects McKean County. Other areas of interest include a 29-mile triangular Longhouse Scenic Byway. This is a national scenic driveway along the Allegheny Reservoir. A trip to Bradford and McKean County would not be complete without a visit to the Zippo lighter/Case knife Visitor Center. Located off Route 219 in Bradford, this facility is the most-visited museum in Pennsylvania's northern tier.

The Kinzua viaduct bridge is a must-see attraction. When completed in 1882, this railroad bridge was the highest and longest in the world. Currently a bridge in Burma and another in Texas are larger. A local railway, located west of Smethport, offers several tours which meander through the peaks and valleys of the Allegheny National Forest. Legend has it that around 1900, a robber buried $40,000 in gold near the bridge. Reportedly, it's never been recovered.

Other areas of interest include the Winery at Wilcox. Located north of Ridgeway on Route 219, the small winery has 25 selections and offers a pleasant respite after a day of touring. The Penn-Brad Oil Museum, located south of Bradford on Route 219, features an actual oil derrick. Unfortunately. Visiting hours inside the museum are limited. Travelers should consider checking out the Eldred WW11 Museum and the Allegheny Arms and Armor Museum. Holgate has a factory toy store and museum which is a big hit with younger children.

While the area abounds with diverse types of recreational opportunities, hunting, fishing, boating, back-roads auto exploring, biking and hiking typically receive the most attention. The two gems of the magic circle, the Allegheny National Forest and Kinzua Dam, continue to be the main attraction for the countless recreational seekers who visit the region.

The Allegheny National Forest is made up of over 513,000 acres. It has 16 campgrounds with over 715 sites. The Hickory Creek wilderness, comprised of 8,663 acres is located in this pristine national forest. There's plenty of back country roads to explore and there are a total of 312 wildlife species living in the area. During the 1990s fishers and otters were introduced into this wilderness and seeing either is always a bonus. Sighting a bald eagle is always a possibility. Deer, turkey and bear abound in excellent numbers. In 1999, McKean County hunters harvested 99 bears and 7,816 whitetails.

Over 600 miles of hiking trails crisscross the ridges and valleys within this national forest. The longest hiking path is the 95-mile North Country Trail. It is designated as a National Scenic Trail. The Clarion-Little Toby Creek trail meanders for 18 miles along the wild and scenic Clarion River. There are over 600 miles of hiking trails located in Elk and McKean counties.

Throughout the area, overlooks and natural attractions abound. These include Beartown Rocks, Bilger's Rocks, Brady's Bend, Chestnut Ridge, Jake's Rocks, Kinzua Creek Gorge, Panther Rocks, Rimrock Overlook and Tidioute Overlook. Ten separate Natural Areas are located within the confines of this national forest. There are several nature trails with self-guided interpretive brochures.

Clear Creek, Cornplanter, Elk and Moshannon State Forests are located nearby. Moshannon encompasses 185,918 acres and Elk State Forest boasts of 198,800 acres. Nearby, there are 14 state parks and 40 state game lands comprising about 220,000 acres. A visit to this "magic circle" and its environs only whets the appetite for numerous return safaris.

Kinzua Dam, completed in 1965, is administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It impounds the 12,080-acre Allegheny Reservoir. This man-made lake is 27 miles long and has 90 miles of shoreline. A total of 7,783 acres are located in Pennsylvania, with the remaining 4,297 acres situated in New York. Boating during the autumn foliage season is an experienced not soon forgotten. It's often been said that fall is the best time to fish the "Kinzua."

The Clarion River is worthy of a float and/or fishing trip. Most of the Allegheny River between Kinzua Dam and Emlenton is considered as a National Wild and Scenic River.

A unique feature of northwest Pennsylvania is the diversified lodging and restaurants that the area offers. Visitors can choose to stay in primitive cabins, deluxe hotels, or motels of all price ranges. Restaurants run the gamut from fast food eateries to highway diners and world class establishments which serve the finest gourmet food in an elegant atmosphere.

The most difficult decision on a visit to Bradford and its environs is what to see and where to start. Write to the Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau at PO Box 371, Bradford, PA 16701. Their web site is www.allegheny-vacation.com or phone 814-368-9370. Brochures can also be obtained from the Allegheny National Forest, PO Box 747, Warren PA 16365 or phone 814-723-5150. To further explore the area, call the Forest County Tourism Promotion Agency at 814-726-3152 or check the Web site at www.forestcounty.com. The Elk County Visitors Bureau can be called at 814-834-3723.

Copyright (c) 2000 Wes Bower. All rights reserved.

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