Swing Into Adventure: Golf, Trails and Outdoor Fun Await in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest

Regional

Jun 17

**Swing Into Adventure: Golf, Trails and Outdoor Fun Await in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest**

From championship golf courses and award-winning trails to the Kinzua Sky Walk and the Allegheny Reservoir, McKean County offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure just south of Ellicottville.

Nestled in the heart of McKean County, Pennsylvania - just a short, scenic drive south of Ellicottville, New York - the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) region is your ultimate outdoor haven. Spanning over half a million acres, this expansive natural playground invites you to trade the daily grind for radical natural beauty. Whether you are swinging a club, hitting the trails, or paddling serene waters, the forest is calling.

A Golfer’s Paradise

Golf in McKean County is more than just a game; it is a scenic adventure where the rough isn't always too rough, the fairways are welcoming, and your hazards might just include a passing white-tailed deer. It doesn't matter if you stand a little too close to the ball after you hit it; just pack an extra pair of pants in case you get a "hole" in one! Whether you are a scratch golfer or rely on a few lucky mulligans, the region offers lush green courses set against stunning forest backdrops.

Pine Acres Golf & RV Resort: Perched high atop the mountains of northwestern Pennsylvania, Pine Acres is an 18-hole championship course open to the public. You can challenge yourself on tight, tree-lined fairways framed by towering pines and fast, sloping greens. Thanks to new local ownership focused on creating a four-season destination, players enjoy a welcoming clubhouse and 23 newly completed RV sites featuring electric hookups and cozy fire rings. It is the ultimate "stay and play" experience where you can fall asleep under a canopy of stars, just 200 yards from your near hole-in-one.
Kane Country Club: Established in 1912, this historic 18-hole course is one of the oldest in the heart of the ANF and is open for public play. Its par-70 layout beautifully blends dramatic elevation changes, pristine fairways, and sweeping forest vistas. The club also offers a Junior Golf Program, proving it is never too early to learn how to slice with style. Afterward, you can relax at the clubhouse with a great meal and retell your best birdie stories.
Smethport Country Club: Established in 1922, this historic semi-private gem happily welcomes the public to experience its charming 9-hole regulation course. It is the perfect spot for a relaxed, scenic round featuring strategically placed water hazards, lush rolling hills, and a welcoming full-service bar to celebrate your post-game victories.

Trail Central & The Eighth Wonder

Known proudly as "Trail Central," McKean County offers an expansive trail network for every type of explorer. For adrenaline-seeking mountain bikers, the Trails at Jakes Rocks - named Pennsylvania’s 2024 Trail of the Year - delivers 35 miles of exhilarating riding, winding through prehistoric boulders and emerald canopies. If you prefer hiking, the town of Bradford serves as a perfect basecamp. Do not miss the Marilla Bridges Trail System, featuring one of Pennsylvania’s most photogenic one-mile loops wrapped around the glassy waters of the Marilla Reservoir.

No trip is complete without visiting Kinzua Bridge State Park, voted the #1 State Park in PA. The legendary Kinzua Sky Walk stretches 624 feet into the Kinzua Gorge and soars 225 feet above the valley floor. While the Skywalk structure is undergoing a preservation project, there is a special window this year: it will be open to foot traffic specifically in September and October 2026 for the fantastic fall foliage season. The park's interactive visitor center, gorge overlook, trails, and PA Wilds Conservation shop remain fully open year-round for discovery.

Water Adventures & Wildlife

If you want to cool off, the 12,000-acre Allegheny Reservoir, formed by the Kinzua Dam, is a magnet for boaters, swimmers, and anglers casting for bass, walleye, and trout. Keep your eyes peeled, as these woods are teeming with white-tailed deer, black bears, and soaring bald eagles. You can fully disconnect by setting up camp at picturesque spots like Willow Bay, Twin Lakes, or Red Bridge Recreation Areas, which offer a mix of primitive and developed sites.

Ready to plan your paradise stay? View and download the new Allegheny National Forest Adventure Guide & Map at PATrailCentral.com, or request your free copy by calling 800-473-9370 or emailing info@visitANF.com.