Oil Creek State Park Multi-Use Trail

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A historic rail crossing of the Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad at Oil Creek State Park. Photo by Jason Pratt.

Historic industrial remnants at Oil Creek State Park. Photo by Jason Pratt.

A view of Oil Creek at Oil Creek State Park. Photo by Jason Pratt.

Barges like this were filled with barrels of oil and floated down Oil Creek. Photo by Jason Pratt.

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The Oil Creek State Park trail is a 9.7-mile paved multi-use trail managed and maintained by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of State Parks. Trailheads at Drake Well Museum in Titusville and at Petroleum Centre, Oil Creek State Park encourage visitors to explore the recreational, natural, and historical resources. Interpretive signage along the trail tells the story of 15 years of frantic drilling, gushing oil, and devastating fires in the Oil Creek Valley. In addition, the trail parallels Oil Creek which offers fishing and seasonal paddling. Today the park is afforded the unique opportunity to tell a new story of environmental recovery.

Oil Creek State Park has developed excellent partnerships with local stakeholders including the Oil Region Alliance for Business, Industry, and Tourism; Allegheny Valley Trails Association; the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; and the Oil Creek Railway Historical Society. These groups provide volunteer support, and funding assistance, and promote environmental education and interpretive opportunities along the trail.

Steps are being taken to complete a 3-mile missing trail segment from the southern terminus at Petroleum Centre (Oil Creek State Park) to the Samuel Justus Trail in Oil City. Once complete, the trail system will offer over 40 miles of suitable terrain for family groups and persons with disabilities to be able to explore the "valley that changed the world." Linking the two trails will provide easy access by bicycle from urban centers such as Oil City and Franklin to greenway corridors. This, in turn, will provide trail access for residents without having to drive.

Allowed Uses:

Other Activities

• Heritage and history
• Hunting
• Snow, snow play general

• Certified as an NRT
  Jun 3, 2005