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Find examples and links to a variety of outdoor recreation activities below, and remember that you can find more details on OilRegion.org. You can also use the Interactive Map to filter by Outdoor Rec and search for things like trailheads or swimming.
The Oil Region is home to more than 70 miles of paved bike trails. Much of those are part of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail, a series of trails connecting its namesake cities through the small towns and rural areas of Western PA. Contributing trails in our area include the Queen City Trail, Oil Creek State Park Trail, Oil City Trail, Allegheny River Trail, and Samuel Justus Trail. All of these trails welcome walkers as well as cyclists and other non-motorized users. Horseback riding is allowed alongside portions of the Allegheny River Trail and Sandy Creek Trail. Equestrian trails can also be found at Two Mile Run County Park and portions of the Kennerdell Tract of Clear Creek State Forest.
For a rougher ride, try the mountain bike trails at Two Mile Run County Park, Kennerdell Tract of the Clear Creek State Forest or the Allegheny Gnar MTB courses in Oil City.
Road biking is great in the Oil Region because of our plethora of low-vehicle traffic roads. The Roughneck Gravel Roubaix gravel bike race takes place each May with five courses ranging from 12 to 250 miles, the vast majority of which never leave the dirt once they get out of town. Follow their routes or find your own.
Gerard Trail in Oil Creek State Park is for hiking-only. At 36 sometimes challenging miles, this loop trail gets a lot of use throughout the year, but especially as part of the racecourses for the Oil Creek 5 & 13 Stacked Trail Race in May and the OC100 Trail Runs in October. Several access points allow users to hike shorter sections. Adirondack-type shelters are available to spend the night for those who want to do it all at once. View the map
There are three state-designated water trails in the Oil Region. The Allegheny River, French Creek, and Oil Creek are all state-designated water trails accounting for 93 miles of navigable water. The Wild and Scenic Allegheny River is federally designed for its recreational use. These waterways are great for kayaking, fishing, fly fishing, birdwatching, wading/swimming, and more. The Allegheny is large enough to support jet boats and even has sections deep enough to water ski.
French Creek was the 2022 PA River of the Year. Running from the western side of Venango County where it meets the Allegheny River in Franklin, it is recognized as the most biologically diverse stream of its size in the state of Pennsylvania.
The Allegheny River is the 2024 PA River of the Year. The Oil Region Alliance manages the 108 miles from the Kinzua Dam in Warren County to Emlenton in southern Venango County. The Alliance is working on adding additional water accesses on the Allegheny.
The Alliance developed Oil Creek Memorial Landing, a boat launch and trailhead just north of Oil City on Oil Creek.
The Oil City Marina is a great place to launch a boat, canoe, or kayak onto the Allegheny, and you can also fish from there.
The Franklin boat ramp into the Allegheny is just off of Elk Street. It’s less than a mile south of the confluence with French Creek at Riverfront Park.
You can also paddle and boat on the 144-acre Justus Lake at Two Mile Run County Park and the 251-acre Kahle Lake near Emlenton.
There are five state game lands open for public hunting in Venango County in addition to Oil Creek State Park, the Kennerdell Tract of Clear Creek State Forest, and Two Mile Run County Park.
Hunting is great in the fall with healthy populations of white-tailed deer, turkey, and black bear. Small game is plentiful including grouse, pheasants, rabbits, and squirrels. Perfect your call for spring gobbler season. The Oil Region’s wetlands are perfect locations for waterfowl and fur trapping. The PA Game Commission website provides all the information needed to hunt in the Oil Region, including license information, seasons by region, maps, and safety regulations.
Walleyes, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and muskellunge are the primary species of interest to anglers. The PF & BC Access in Utica to Riverfront Park in Franklin is comfortable for a one-day float and fish trip.
Oil Creek, which runs from Titusville south to meet the Allegheny in Oil City, is known for its exceptional fly fishing. Abundant fly hatches draw trout anglers for late spring/early summer fishing. Smallmouth bass are a popular species for summer. Then a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only special regulation area near Drake Well Museum & Park brings those seeking trout back in mid-fall through early spring.
Check out East Branch Sugar Creek, Little Sandy Creek, Lower & Upper Two Mile Run, Pithole Creek, Sandy Creek, Pine Creek, and Sugar Creek for stocked trout.
Justus Lake in Two Mile Run County Park has both coldwater and warmwater species. As an Approved Trout Water Open to Year-Round Fishing, Justus Lake is stocked with trout in spring and late fall. The lake is deep and cool enough to support trout through summer, too.
Warmwater species include musky, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch.
Kahle Lake near Emlenton is great for crappie.
Oil Creek 5 & 13 Stacked Trail Races
Enjoy a 5- or 13-mile trail race beginning at Drake Well Museum & Park and traveling through scenic Oil Creek State Park.
DrakeWell.org
Drake Well Marathon & 1/2
This unique Boston Marathon-qualifying event starts and
finishes at Drake Well Museum & Park, traveling along the
historic streets of Titusville as well as the bike trail in Oil Creek State Park. DrakeWell.org
OC100 Trail Runs
Described as “Unforgiving. Historic. Gnarly.” Choose from 50K, 100K, or 100-mile races through Oil Creek State Park in October. Registrations open March 1 and sell out quickly.
OilCreek100.org
There are numerous other running events and races throughout the year in each of our communities, too.
Two Mile Run County Park Mountain Bike Races
Each April and August, the mountain bike races at Two Mile Run County Park take place on a combination of mountain loops for a fun mix of endurance and skill, which is part of the Bike the Wilds series. Racers choose 1, 2, or 3 laps on the 8.5 mile course.
Facebook.com/TMRRaces
Roughneck Gravel Roubaix
This gravel bike race tests the gutsy and dusty on a course around Titusville.
RoughneckGravelRoubaix.com
USA Cycling Downhill State Championship Series
Allegheny Gnar hosts these races along with open rides on courses in Oil City and President Township over the summer. Spectators are welcome.
AlleghenyGnar.com/events
Two Mile Run Regatta
The Three Rivers Outboard Racing Association hosts boat races at Two Mile Run County Park in May and September. Spectators welcome. TRORA.com
Oil Creek Classic
Titusville Rotary hosts this annual fly fishing competition in May on Oil Creek.
Facebook.com/OilCreekClassic
Oil Region Bass Tournament
The Oil Region will host its first bass tournament in several years at the Oil City Marina in October.
International Bowhunting Organization’s Triple Crown
Archers from across North America compete in this 3D target shoot at Two Mile Run County Park in the summer. All ages of amateur competitors and spectators welcome.
IBO.net
Rock in River Fest/PA Stone Skipping Competition
PA stone skipping competition at Riverfront Park in Franklin.
FranklinPa.gov
This site is a project of the Oil Region Alliance, designated marketing organization for Venango County, Pennsylvania, and funded by Venango County Hotel Tax.
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