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Jakes Rocks Overlook and Mountain Bike Trail
Wander on hardened paths through the woods to the overlook. Stand on the rock outcrop to see expansive views of Jackson Bay on the Allegheny Reservoir, Kinzua Dam and the surrounding forest.
As you walk, look for the wide array of fungus in multiple colors that grows along the path. Stop and wonder at the trees growing through, and sometimes on, the large boulders. Picnic in the shade of the trees after your walk. Always be cautious of tree roots along the paths and uneven footing near the overlook.
The Trails at Jakes Rocks provide mountain bikers with a wide degree of challenges, from the gentler loop of the Tuttletown and Coal Knob trails to the one-way, epic Blacksnake gravity trail. Parking for the more than 35 miles of networked trails is available at the Jakes Rocks Trailhead, Elijah Run Boat Launch, Bent Run Parking Area (USACE), FR 507 Devil’s Elbow, and Kinzua Point Information Center. The trails connect to the Dewdrop Campground, for a convenient overnight stay.
Please use caution and remember to share the trail with other users. For more safety guidelines visit the Outdoor Safety section of the website.
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | Open all year during daylight hours. There is no winter maintenance. |
|---|---|
| Area Amenities: | Interpretive Site, Picnic tables, Toilets, Parking |
| Fees: | No fee |
| Permit Info: | No permit required |
| Open Season: | January - December |
| Usage: | Light |
| Restrictions: | As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line or at any office of the Allegheny National Forest. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forest. Applicable Orders for this Site:
|
| Closest Towns: | Warren, PA |
| Water: | None |
| Restroom: | Vault |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Bradford Ranger District Address: 29 Forest Service Dr., Bradford, PA 16701 Phone: 814-362-4613 Email: sm.fs.anf@usda.gov |
General Information
Directions:From downtown Warren
- Travel south on Route 6/Crescent Park Drive for 2 miles.
- Turn left/east onto Route 59.
- Travel east on Route 59 for 10 miles.
- Turn right onto Longhouse National Scenic Byway.
- Travel on Longhouse National Scenic Byway for 1 mile.
- Turn right onto Forest Road 492.
- Travel on Forest Road 492 for 1 mile.
- Follow Forest Road 492 to the right when it splits and follow it to the parking area, approximately 1 mile.
Activities
Mountain Biking
The Trails at Jakes Rocks:
Easiest Trail Segments
Coal Knob 2.3 miles
Grouse 0.3 miles
Kinzua Point 0.9 miles
Tuttletown 2.5 miles
Tuttletown-Coal Knob Loop 4.8 miles
More Difficult Trail Segments
Bent Run 1.9 miles
Cornplanter 1.4 miles
Deerfoot 1.3 miles
Dewdrop 1.7 miles
Elijah (Coal Knob to FR263) 2.5 miles
Elijah (Longhouse Scenic to FR 263) 3.3 miles
Laurel 2.3 miles
Longhouse 2.1 miles
Seneca 1.5 miles
Ohi:Yo Way 0.7 miles
Three Sisters 0.3 miles
Vulpes 0.5 miles
Most Difficult Trail Segments
Bald Eagle 2.2 miles
Devil’s Drop 0.9 miles
Ursus 1.2 miles
Gravity Trail (one-way travel)
Blacksnake 0.6 miles
Day Hiking
There is a trail that loops around the day use area past large boulders and to the overlook built onto a large boulder.
| Fire Information | Campfires are permitted if maintained in a fire ring, and completely extinguished. |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
|---|
Viewing Wildlife
Over 70 species of game and non-game fish live in the Allegheny National Forest. Over 300 species of mammals, including raccoon, gray squirrel, snowshoe hare, red and gray fox, beaver, mink, and muskrat as well as game species suck as white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
Be wary of friendly chipmunks at the picnic tables, they will beg for your lunch.
For information on species common to Pennsylvania, and the Allegheny National Forest visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website for game and nongame species information.
When you see wildlife, please remember:
- never feed wildlife
- don't interfere with mating, predation or other natural behaviors.
- keep a respectful distance
- preserve habitat by following "leave no trace" principles.
- leave young wildlife where you find them.
If you think you've found a sick or injured animal please call the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
|---|
Viewing Plants
Jake's Rocks Overlook access road goes through a heavily forested area with abundant Mountain laurel. As you walk try to glimpse the different wildflowers, mosses and fungus throughout the area.
| Species | Mountain Laurel blooms in early June, peak leaf color occurs the second week of October. |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
|---|
Viewing Scenery
There are several places on the trail where you will see glimpses of the Allegheny Reservoir and/or Kinzua Dam. The trail loops around at an overlook built onto a rock outcropping where you will have panoramic views of the reservoir and dam. This is a particularly good location to view fall color on the forest.
Jakes Rocks is located off of Longhouse National Scenic Byway. The road loops around and there are several pull-offs where visitors will be able to stop and view the reservoir and dam.
For more information about the types of plants and trees you may see on the Allegheny:
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
|---|
Picnicking
Picnic tables, grills and vault restrooms available. Scenic view of Allegheny Reservoir.| Reservation Info | None |
| Sleeping Shelter | No |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
|---|
Group Picnicking
Picnic tables, grills and vault restrooms available. Scenic view of Allegheny Reservoir.| Reservation Info | None |
| Group Shelter | No |
| Group Cooking Facilities | Grills |
| Hookups - Electric | No |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
|---|
Scenic Driving
Jakes Rocks is on Longhouse National Scenic Byway. The road leading up to the day use area loops around and has several scenic pull-offs where visitors can stop and view the reservoir.
Amenities
| Interpretive Site: | |
|---|---|
| Picnic tables: | |
| Parking: | 2 parking areas |
| Toilets: |