Clear Creek State Park
Camp next to water
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.
Cook Forest State Park is only 11 miles away.
Kayaking...
Clarion RIver right next door see below for maps or check here
Water levels can be checked here
Map for middle section is also below...
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.
Cook Forest State Park is only 11 miles away.
Kayaking...
Clarion RIver right next door see below for maps or check here
Water levels can be checked here
Map for middle section is also below...
More information below...
Seasons and Hours: The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. The park office is open specific hours. The beach, overnight areas, and other areas are open specific seasons and hours. Contact the park office for facility seasons and hours.
Picnicking: Picnic tables, charcoal grills, and vault toilets are located in each picnic area. Five picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Pavilions Nos. 1 and 2 are ADA accessible.
Make a reservation.
Swimming: The 180-foot sand beach is open from late May to mid-September, 8:00 AM to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules.
Explore swimming for more information.
Canoeing: 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. Rental canoes are available from businesses outside of the park. There are public boat launches at both Cook Forest and Clear Creek state parks.
Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks, available at most state park offices; launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. Complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
The following concessionaries offer canoe, kayak and tube rentals:
Cook Forest Canoe Rental www.cookforestcanoe.com
Pale Whale www.canoecookforest.com
Pine Crest http://users.penn.com/~pinecrest/PC-canoe.html
Fishing: The Clarion River flows along the border of the park and provides fishing for trout, warmwater game fish, and panfish. Clear Creek is stocked with trout seasonally.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. Complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Hunting and Firearms: About 1,000 acres of Clear Creek State Park are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, squirrel, bear, and turkey. Over 10,000 acres of adjacent state forests and over 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. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. 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. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.
Complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.
Hiking: 25 miles of trails
Trails begin in the scenic Clear Creek Valley and follow the 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 in mid-June and early July respectively.
Scenic Vistas: There are two seasonal scenic overlooks in the park on the Tadler Run Loop Trail. Beartown Rocks is a popular nearby overlook in Clear Creek State Forest.
No Feeding Wild Animals: 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. Feeding wild animals is prohibited. When wildlife loses its fear of people, these animals can become pests, and dangerous situations can result.
Stay the Night
Overnight accommodations are available from the second Friday in April to the third Friday in December.
Camping: flush toilets, warm showers, electric hook-ups
There are 53 campsites each with a picnic table and fire ring. 40 campsites have electric hook ups. Two campsites are ADA accessible. Pets are permitted at designated sites for a fee. Campground access is not guaranteed during severe weather.
Showers, flush toilets, and a sanitary dump station are available. Near the campground are a nine-hole disc golf course and a concrete basketball court.
Two canoe/kayak camping sites are located at the southern end of the campground. These sites are for individuals and groups traveling on multi-day trips down the Clarion River by canoe or kayak. Use is limited to one night and tents only with a maximum group size of eight.
Explore the campground map.
Explore camping for more information.
Make a reservation.
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: 1 host position
The campground host site amenities include 30-amp electric service. Hosts are required to stay a minimum of two weeks and must be available 24 hours daily to assist park personnel. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
Yurts: Two round, canvas and wood walled tents are on a wooden deck and sleep four people in two bunk beds. Yurts have a cooking stove, microwave oven, refrigerator, countertop, table, chairs, electric heat and outlets, fire ring, and picnic table.
Make a reservation.
Rustic Cabins: There are 22 rustic cabins near the Clarion River. Each cabin has beds, mattresses, refrigerator, microwave, table and chairs, and gas heat. Occupants must provide their own bedding, cookware, and tableware. Cabins sleep four, six, or eight people. Extra cots are not available. Frost-free water faucets are outside. A shower house is nearby. Two cabins are ADA accessible. Dogs are permitted at designated cabins for a fee.
The cabins must be rented for one week in the peak season. In the spring and fall rental season, cabins must be rented for at least two nights. Firewood is not provided.
Explore the cabin map.
Explore cabins for more information.
Make a reservation.
Winter Activities
Explore the Winter Report for the current snow and ice depths.
Snowshoeing and Cross-country Skiing: Snowshoeing is permitted on all trails. Cross-country skiing is recommended on Clear Creek Trail, Sawmill Trail, and portions of Truby Trail.
Sledding: A sledding slope is located on the pipeline right-of-way near Pavilion No. 3.
Environmental Education and Interpretation
Through hands-on activities, guided walks, and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding, and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.
Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be scheduled in advance by calling the park office.
Programs are offered spring through fall. A nature museum with logging and nature exhibits is open spring through fall. The Ox Shoe Trail is self-guided and takes one hour to hike, and reveals the logging history of the area.
Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of upcoming events.
Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.
Access for People with Disabilities
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit