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Johnsonburg & Wilcox

Nestled in the southeast corner of the Allegheny National Forest, visitors go Johnsonburg, or "Paper City USA", find that one of the most productive paper facilities in the world makes its home here.

The charming village of Wilcox, with its winery, has some of the most picturesque scenery in north-central Pennsylvania.

Hospitality encourages visitors to come back often. With Bendigo State Park, Twin Lakes, East Branch Lake and Elk State Park just minutes away, this area is truly an outdoor paradise.

Wild and Scenic Clarion River

The Clarion River meanders for more than 100 miles past undisturbed forests and steep-sided hillsides, providing spectacular views and a sense of isolation. The Clarion is located in northwestern Pennsylvania and a major tributary to the Allegheny River. The East and West Branches of the river originate in McKean County and flow southerly before merging at Johnsonburg in Elk County. The East Branch Dam located northeast of Johnsonburg controls the headwaters. From the confluence at Johnsonburg, the river flows 95 miles before emptying into the Allegheny just south of Foxburg. From Ridgway in Elk County to the backwaters of the Piney Reservoir in Clarion County, 51.7 miles is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River with recreational and scenic segments. The Clarion has a unique picturesque quality with diverse and mature vegetation, sinuous channels and varying water conditions. This river is truly a wild and scenic waterway.

The Clarion is popular for family canoeing, as well as for trophy brown trout and small mouth bass fishing.  Public access locations are available at Portland Mills and Irwin Run Bridge.

Accommodations

Allegheny National Forest
Camping reservations
1-877-444-6777
More than a half-million acres of outdoor recreation...  Includes a marina, 6 boat launches, 6 canoe access sites, a marina, 11 picnic areas, 4 beaches, and more than 600 camp sites.

Twin Lakes Recreation Area
8 miles SE of Kane, Rt. 321 to Forest Rd. 191  (G1)
Recommended RV and trailer camping no more than 28' long and 10' tall due to space restrictions and railroad underpass. Features 50 family campsites with picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad. Some electric sites. Modern toilets and shower houses, dump station and playgrounds. Two group tenting areas are also available.

Swimming beach, bathhouse, fishing piers, picnic tables, pavilions, playground and hiking trails around the lake are located in the day use area.

East Branch Lake
www.lrp.usace.army.mil/rec/lakes/eastbran.htm
East of Wilcox. US Army Corps of Engineers.
(814) 965-2065   (G1)
41 campsites (16 electric) for trailers & tents. Picnic area,  Shady Ridge Nature Trail, fishing and unlimited horsepower boating. Two boat launches available.  For current river or reservoir pool and forecast go to: http://wmw.lrp.usace.army.mil/

Klaiber’s Kabins
39 Jefferson Avenue
Wilcox, PA 15870
814-965-2326
www.klaiberskabins.com
New, modern furnished cabins sleep 12 on the East Branch of the Clarion River. Adjacent to state game lands, close to East Branch Dam & Elk herd. Weekly and weekend rates available. Fire pit and picnic tables provided. Pets welcome.

Domtar
Johnsonburg Mill
100 Center Street
Johnsonburg, PA
814-965-2521
Mill tours available, call for more information.

The Winery at Wilcox
Mefferts Run Road, off Rt. 219, Wilcox.  (G1)
Also DuBois Mall, I-80 Exit 101. (814)  929-5598
email: wawpeg@wineryatwilcox.net
Award-winning winery! Tours, tastings & sales. Gift baskets & visitor gift shop. Chilled wine, cheese, sausage. Wedding packages. V/MC
Groundhog Trail Brochure

Allegheny National Forest
Camping reservations
1-877-444-6777
Ranger Station
222 Liberty St., Warren. (814) 723-5150
More than a half-million acres of outdoor recreation!  Includes a marina, 6 boat launches, 6 canoe access sites, a marina, 11 picnic areas, 4 beaches, and more than 600 camp sites.

The 12,080-acre Allegeny Reservoir is 27 miles long with 90 miles of shoreline. Segments of the Allegheny and Clarion Rivers have been designated as National Wild and Scenic rivers. Hickory Creek and Allegheny Islands are nationally designated wilderness areas.

Bendigo State Park
Glen Hazel Rd., Johnsonburg
(814) 965-2646  (G1)
Small 20-acre park with peace & tranquility. Located in a valley on the bank of the East Branch of the Clarion River. Picnic area, stocked trout stream & swimming pool.

East Branch Lake
East of Wilcox. US Army Corps of Engineers.
(814) 965-2065  (G1)
41 campsites for trailers & tents. Picnic area,  Shady Ridge Nature Trail, fishing and unlimited horsepower boating. Two boat launches.  

Elk State Park
8 miles W of Wilcox on State Rt. 1006.
(814) 965-2646  (G1)
Main attraction is the 1,160-acre East Branch Lake. Unlimited horsepower boating. The lake and streams are stocked with both warm & cold water species of fish. Picnic areas, camping, hunting, fishing, ice fishing and iceboating.

Twin Lakes Recreation Area
8 miles SE of Kane, Rt. 321 to Forest Rd. 191  (G1)
Recommended RV and trailer camping no more than 28' long and 10' tall due to space restrictions and railroad underpass. Features 50 family campsites with picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad. Some electric sites. Modern toilets and shower houses, dump station and playgrounds. Two group tenting areas are also available. Swimming beach, bathhouse, fishing piers, picnic tables, pavilions, playground and hiking trails around the lake are located in the day use area.

Johnsonburg Chamber of Commerce
Johnsonburg. (814) 965-4793 

• Discover Pennsylvania's only free-roaming elk herd (300+) near Benezette. 30 minutes
• Tour a winery or shop for antiques nearby. Saint Marys is also known for antiques, a brewery, Benedictine convent and national historic chapel.  20 minutes
• Rent a bike and trek a Rail-to-Trail system just off Main Street. Feeling adventurous? It extends 18 miles to Brockway! 10 minutes
• Hike, bike or drive through Pennsylvania's only National Forest - the Allegheny.  10 minutes
• A drive along the Wild & Scenic Clarion River from Ridgway, Rt. 949, is particularly lovely en route to Clear Creek State Park.  45 minutes
• See the towering trees, a national treasure, in historic Cook Forest State Park. 60 minutes

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