A Recreational Guide to WPC's Conserved Properties

For 76 years, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has conserved nearly 225,000 acres of our region’s awe-inspiring natural places that include unparalleled forestland, cascading waterways and rare or endangered wildlife. Guided by our scientists, WPC continues to build on a legacy of conserving and restoring lands and waters that have ecological and recreational value.
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The recreational guide that follows highlights areas conserved by WPC and its partners that are available for public recreation, and indicates the many activities to be explored and enjoyed there. [click for printable version ]

WPC-Owned Properties
1. Bear Run Nature Reserve (Fayette Co.) 1, 4, 7, 10, 23
2. Beaver Creek* (Fayette County) 1, 7, 9, 10, 23
3. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve (Allegheny Co.) 10, 23
4. Bennett Branch Forest* (Clearfield and Elk Counties) 10, 12, 23
5. Lake Pleasant (Erie County) 1, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, 23
6. Lowville Fen** (Erie County) 10, 12, 15, 23
7. Toms Run* (Allegheny County) 10, 12, 23
8. Tyron-Weber Woods Natural Area* (Crawford County) 10
9. Wolf Creek Narrows Area (Butler County) 9, 10, 23

* These properties do not have parking, marked trails or maps.
** Lowville Fen includes parking, but no maps or marked trails.

Other WPC Conserved Properties
The owners of these properties have entered into voluntary conservation agreements with WPC that include the following public recreational rights.
10. Crawford Reserve (Venango County) 3, 7, 9, 10, 12, 23
11. Loyalhanna Gorge (Westmoreland County) 10, 12, 23

State Parks
WPC has helped to create and/or expand 12 state parks, beginning with its first major acquisition, McConnells Mills, to the recent protection of the 540 acres of uninterrupted shoreline that comprise Erie Bluffs State Park.
12. Blue Knob State Park (Bedford County) 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 23
13. Canoe Creek State Park (Blair County) 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 23
14. Clear Creek State Park (Jefferson County) 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17
15. Cook Forest State Park (Clarion, Forest and Jefferson Counties) 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 19, 23
16. Erie Bluffs State Park (Erie County) 9, 10, 23
17. Laurel Ridge State Park (Westmoreland County) 1, 7, 10, 12, 18
18. McConnellís Mill State Park (Lawrence County) 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, 22, 23
19. Moraine State Park (Butler County) 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24
20. Ohiopyle State Park (Fayette County) 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23
21. Oil Creek State Park (Venango County) 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16
22. Raccoon Creek State Park (Beaver County) 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 23
23. Shawnee State Park (Bedford County) 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 11, 12, 13

State Game Lands
Twenty-seven WPC-created/ expanded state game lands offer seasonal hunting and other recreational opportunities, including the 12,670 acre Cherry Run State Game Lands #295, which hosts a Pennsylvania designated Wilderness Trout Stream. Hiking and biking opportunities can be found along the rail trail at Roderick Reserve/State Games Lands #314.
24. State Game Lands #26 (Blair/Bedford/Somerset/Cambria Counties)
25. State Game Lands #42 (Westmoreland County) 12, 23
26. State Game Lands #44 (Elk County) 12, 23
27. State Game Lands #50 (Somerset County) 12, 23
28. State Game Lands #51 (Fayette County) 12, 23
29. State Game Lands #53 (Fulton County) 12, 23
30. State Game Lands #54 (Jefferson County) 12, 23
31. State Game Lands #82 (Somerset County) 12, 23
32. State Game Lands #95 (Butler County) 12, 23
33. State Game Lands #97 (Bedford County) 12, 23
34. State Game Lands #109 (Erie County) 12, 23
35. State Game Lands #130 (Mercer County) 12, 23
36. State Game Lands #150 (Lawrence County) 12, 23
37. State Game Lands #153 (Cambria/Indiana/Westmoreland Counties)
38. State Game Lands #174 (Indiana County) 12, 23
39. State Game Lands #213/ Conneaut Marsh (Crawford County) 5, 9
40. State Game Lands #223 (Greene County) 12, 23
41. State Game Lands #228 (Somerset County) 12, 23
42. State Game Lands #232 (Washington County) 12, 23
43. State Game Lands #259 (Armstrong County) 12, 23
44. State Game Lands #283 (Clarion County) 12, 23
45. State Game Lands #284/ Schollards Run Wetlands (Mercer County
46. State Game Lands #295/ Cherry Run (Centre/Clinton Counties)
47. State Game Lands #302/ Enlow Fork (Washington/Greene Cos.)
48. State Game Lands #311/ Winslow Hill (Elk County) 12, 23
49. State Game Lands #314/ Roderick Reserve (Erie County) 2, 10, 23
50. State Game Lands #322 (Huntingdon County) 12,23

State and National Forests
Pennsylvania’s forestland is its defining feature and WPC has helped to conserve nine state and national forests that are available for camping, fishing and hiking. Earlier this year, WPC added 3,870 acres to Moshannon State Forest, 2,300 acres to Forbes State Forest and 3,300 acres along the Clarion River to Clear Creek State Forest.
51. Allegheny National Forest (Forest/ Elk/Warren/McKean Counties)
52. Clear Creek State Forest (Jefferson County) 10, 12, 23
53. Elk State Forest (Cameron County) 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 23
54. Forbes State Forest (Fayette/ Somerset/Westmoreland Counties)
55. Gallitzen State Forest (Cambria County) 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15
56. Michaux State Forest (Adams/ Cumberland/Franklin Counties)
57. Moshannon State Forest (Clearfield County) 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 23
58. Sproul State Forest (Centre/Lycoming Counties) 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11
59. Susquehannock State Forest (Potter/ McKean/Clinton Counties)
60. Tioga State Forest (Tioga/Bradford Counties) 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11,
61. Tuscarora State Forest (Cumberland/Huntingdon/Juniata/Mifflin)

Natural, Wild and Wilderness Areas
Ten WPC-conserved natural areas provide memorable hiking opportunities including fens WPC’s conserved natural areas offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
62. Allegheny Islands (Allegheny County) 3, 5, 9, 23
63. Anders Run Natural Area (Warren County) 10
64. Hearts Content (Warren County) 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 18, 23
65. Hickory Creek Wilderness (Warren County) 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 23
66. Jennings Environmental Education Center (E.E.C.) (Butler Co.)
67. Quebec Run Wild Area (Fayette County) 1, 9, 10, 23
68. Tamarack Swamp Natural Area (Clinton County) 23
69. Tionesta Research Natural Area (McKean/Warren Counties) 10, 23
70. Western Maryland Railway Trail (Fayette County) 2, 10
71. Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve (Westmoreland County) 10

Conserved Waterways
WPC has conserved the life-sustaining properties of many watersheds in Western Pennsylvania. Many offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities. Below is a list of some of the recreational opportunuties to be explored in the Western Pennsylvania waters that WPC, its member and partners have protected. All of WPC’s conserved rivers and streams offer great fishing opportunities.
72. Allegheny River (Allegheny County) 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 23
73. Blackleggs Creek (Indiana County) 4, 9, 15, 23
74. Buffalo Creek (Washington County) 9, 23
75. Clarion River (Clarion County) 3, 4, 5, 23
76. French Creek (Erie County) 5, 9, 23
77. Juniata River (Juniata County) 5, 9, 23
78. Little Mahoning Creek (Indiana County) 5, 9, 23
79. Loyalhanna Creek (Westmoreland County) 5, 9, 10, 23
80. North Park Lake (Allegheny County) 3, 5, 23
81. Redbank Creek (Jefferson County) 5, 9, 23
82. Shenango River (Mercer County) 5, 9, 23
83. Sideling Hill Creek (Bedford County) 9, 10, 23
84. Youghiogheny River (Westmoreland County) 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 22, 23

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