Destination Thursday: A slick adventure awaits at Oil Creek State Park

Not many Pennsylvania outdoor excursions would lead one to a sign reading "be aware of oil well plugging near Cow Run Trail." A trip to Oil Creek State Park, Crawford County, offers hikers and bicyclists not only a glimpse into our region's recent economic past, but some breathtaking vistas along scenic Oil Creek Gorge.

The park is one of five state parks established through the efforts of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The 7,000-acre park preserves 12.0 miles of the winding gorge created some 20,000 years ago by the draining of an ice-dammed glacial lake. The discovery of oil here on August 27, 1859, marked the birth of the world's oil industry. Throughout the park, expect to see remnants of abandoned oil wells, reminders of the region's rich history.

Self-guiding Trails

Changes Through Time, Delzell Trail: Change is constant in the natural environment. The Oil Creek Valley has seen more than most other areas. Along the 0.7-mile long trail, discover how these changes have created, eliminated and again changed the face of the valley. Pick up a self-guiding brochure in the park office or at the trailhead.

Blood Farm Interpretive Trail: Spend 30 minutes walking a 0.5-mile trail through the 440-acre Blood Farm oil lease. This farm produced more oil than all of the other farms in the oil region in 1861 and 1862. Learn of 15 years of frantic drilling, gushing oil and devastating fires. Interpretive signs throughout the trail will guide your tour.

Petroleum Centre Walking Tour: Petroleum Centre flourished from 1863 to 1870 on its twin livelihoods of oil and entertainment. This company town had no government, law enforcement, sanitation or public works. It was reputed to the “wickedest town east of the Mississippi!” Start at the Petroleum Centre Amphitheater for this 45-minute self-guiding tour.

Girard Hiking Trail

This 36-mile long trail encompasses the entire park. The main trail is marked with yellow paint blazes. For shorter day hikes, use the five connecting loops blazed in white. Parking areas are available at several access points. Scenic vistas, waterfalls and historic sites are prevalent along the trail.

Two overnight hike-in shelter areas (Cow Run and Wolfkiel Run) are along the trail. Each area contains tent sites, six adirondack-type shelters with fireplaces, restrooms and water supply. A fee and reservations are mandatory for use of these areas and overnight usage is limited to one night per shelter site. Fires are only permitted in camp stoves, fireplaces or designated locations and must be extinguished when unattended. Standing timber and shrubs must not be defaced. Camping is permitted in shelter areas only. Other special regulations pertain to these areas. Contact the park office for further information.

For directions, go to http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/oilcreek.aspx.

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