Welcome to the ANF
Welcome to the ANF
Escape to nature in the Allegheny National Forest Region, just a short drive from Ellicottville.
Pennsylvania is your friendly southern neighbor. As you enter Pennsylvania, you will see a sign welcoming you to “Trail Central.” With 513,000 acres of free access public lands, the Allegheny National Forest - with cabins, camping, boating, fishing and over 600 miles of multi-use, multi-season trails - is a haven for anyone seeking to get outdoors and enjoy nature. The area features not only the traditional hiking/biking, mountain biking, ATV, backpacking and in-season snowmobiling and cross-country skiing trails, but also History Trails, Scenic Driving Trails, and Food & Spirit Trails.
Travel a mere 26 miles south on Route 219 from Ellicottville and you will arrive at the National Historic District of Downtown Bradford, where you can shop, dine, have a brew or two, and stay in a historic or quirky B&B. To explore additional nearby sites, drive 41 miles southeast on Route 219 and Route 346 to Willow Bay, situated along the shorelines of the Allegheny Reservoir - the largest developed recreation area in the Allegheny National Forest. Travel only 47 miles via Route 219 and Route 6 to enjoy an amazing architectural and scenic marvel: the Kinzua Sky Walk, “One of the top 10 Most Scenic Skywalks in the World.”
With fall just around the corner, Mother Nature will soon be putting on her show of the year. Leaf color begins to change late September, with prime color usually the first two weeks of October. The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is an upland hardwood forest. Joshua Hanson, District Silviculturist with the ANF explains, “There are approximately 80 tree species found in the Allegheny National Forest. Four major forest types dominate the ANF - upland hardwoods, Allegheny hardwoods, oak types, and northern hardwoods - which together comprise 93% (over 432,000 acres) of forested vegetation in the ANF. Together, upland and Allegheny hardwoods occupy over 60% of the ANF. Timing and quality of fall color varies by species. Maples reach peak color earlier in the season and are more vibrant than oaks. Folks can expect to see more color, and earlier color as they travel away from the Allegheny Reservoir and the major river corridors (Allegheny, Clarion, and Tionesta) where oak species tend to be more abundant.”
The Kinzua Bridge State Park, home of the Kinzua Sky Walk, will be one of the first areas in the region to begin to show fall color due to its higher elevation. The Kinzua Sky Walk offers stunning views of the Kinzua Gorge year-round, but in the fall, the colors of the forest turn brilliant yellow, deep ruby red, and sparkling orange.
The Kinzua Sky Walk extends out 624 feet into the Kinzua Gorge, offering panoramic views of the Kinzua Gorge hillsides covered by a fall foliage quilt of many colors. The skywalk, which is built on six of the historic towers of the Kinzua Viaduct - once the tallest and highest railroad viaduct in the world - features a walkway with a set of railroad tracks leading to the end of the overlook which has a partial glass floor. At a stunning height of 225 feet above the valley floor, visiting the Kinzua Sky Walk is an exciting opportunity to “Walk the Tracks across the Sky.” Be sure to bring your camera!
The Kinzua Bridge State Park is located at 296 Viaduct Road, Mt. Jewett, PA. It is a day use park with three hiking trails, picnic areas, a Visitors Center, and a food truck. The hike down the side of the gorge is a challenging hike. The Knox & Kane Rail Trail is perfect for hiking/biking and for family groups of all ages. The General Kane Trail is an easy 1-mile loop trail. The Kinzua Bridge Visitors Center, with interpretive displays is open from 10:00am-6:00pm. The park and the skywalk are open from 8:00am-dusk. Admission is free.
To help plan your nearby adventure into “Trail Central,” head over to www.visitANF.com/attractions or call 800-473-9370 for personalized assistance.