Northwestern Pennsylvania is home to nearly 250 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail.
Trek across rocky ridges and down into steep, lush, stream-filled valleys. Wind through ravines filled with hemlocks, rhododendrons, and mountain laurel. Weave around rock cities. Peer through the old growth forests to spot deer and black bear. Find history and adventure across this entire landscape.
The trail crosses a variety of notable land units and features in Pennsylvania, including McConnells Mill, Moraine, and Cook Forest state parks, Slippery Rock Gorge, the Allegheny and Clarion Rivers, and the Allegheny National Forest.
Pennsylvania’s North Country trail is maintained primarily by the volunteers of four NCTA Chapters and an Affiliate organization:
- Wampum
- Butler County
- Clarion County
- Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy, Affiliate
- Allegheny National Forest
The state also hosts three official NCTA Trail Towns: Darlington, Wampum, and Parker.
Additional Information
- Pennsylvania State Parks are free for all to enter but camping and hiking rules and regulations may apply.
- State Game Lands also have important regulations for trail users, including the prohibition of overnight camping.
- Filterable water is plentiful in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). There are over 30 marked campsites along the trail in this section. U.S. Forest Service campgrounds with services are also available nearby. Dispersed camping is legal throughout the ANF. Cell phone service is limited – texting is often available but there are few places to make a call. There is very limited resupply along this entire route.
