Mountain Biking

Mountain Bike Trails on the ANF
Trail	Miles	Other Trail Uses
Brush Hollow Cross-Country Ski and Hiking Trail	7.7	cross-country skiing, hiking
Buzzard Swamp Wildlife Viewing and Hiking Area	11.2	cross-country skiing, hiking
Trails at Jakes Rocks	30.23	hiking
Marienville ATV/Motorized Dirt Bike Trail	37	ATV, motorized dirt bikes
Morrison Hiking Trail	12.6	hiking
Rocky Gap ATV/Mountain Bike Trail	21.9	ATV's, trailbikes, snowmobiles, horses
Timberline ATV Trail	38	ATV
Willow Creek ATV/Mountain Bike Trail	10.8	ATV's, trailbikes
Twin Lakes Hiking Trail	15.8	hiking, cross country skiing

Planning Your Mountain Bike Experience

Trail maps are linked to on trail pages.
Comply with signs and barriers, and leave gates as you found them.
Respect public and private property by practicing minimum impact cycling.

Protect the environment

Stay on trails and roads designated for use. Cutting switchbacks, creating hill climbs and riding in undesignated areas cause erosion, loss of wildlife habitat and other natural resource damage. Repairs cost tax dollars, and citations cost you dollars.
Minimize erosion by staying on trails and not cutting switchbacks.
Avoid wet, muddy areas as they are more susceptible to erosion. Meadows, lake shores, stream banks and vegetation are easily damaged.
Do not ride on snow-covered roads!
Do not disturb wildlife or livestock.
Teach new riders trail etiquette—lead by example.
Don’t litter. Pack out more than your share.

Ride safely, stay in control

The forest is for everyone. Be considerate of hikers and equestrians.
Always wear a protective helmet and other gear.
Ride single file in the middle of the trail to avoid widening the trail.
Yield right-of-way to other trail users. Horses spook when they see an unfamiliar object, especially one that moves quickly and quietly.
Slow down and use caution when passing others. If necessary, dismount your vehicle or bicycle on the downhill side and wait for horses and hikers to pass.
Control your speed at all times and approach turns in anticipation of someone around the bend. Reckless riding and high downhill speeds are not appropriate.

Be prepared

Be prepared for sudden changes in weather.
Don’t ride alone. Tell someone where you plan to ride and then stick to your plans.
Don’t take unnecessary chances—help for emergencies may be miles away.
Make sure you have a first aid kit and other safety gear with you when riding in the forest.

Remember: You are responsible for your own safety and for the safety of those around you.

Mountain Biking Areas

Allegheny Reservoir
Lush green forest surrounds the 7,647-acre reservoir that spans the border between Pennsylvania and New York. In Pennsylvania, the reservoir is completely surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest; and in New York State by Allegany State Park and the Allegany Indian Reservation of the Seneca Nation.

At normal summer pool level the reservoir is 27 miles long, 14 miles in Pennsylvania and 13 miles in New York, with 91 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 130 feet.

Despite how busy the reservoir can get in the summer, there are still places where you can experience the solitude and quiet of the forest. Facilities range from large campgrounds with everything from electric hook-ups, flush toilets and playgrounds to boat-in campgrounds with simple outhouses and hand-pumps for water.

The reservoir draws people from all over for the quantity and quality of the water activities it has available.

The walleye, trout, bass, pike and muskellunge are there and waiting for a fight. Several record breaking fish have been caught in the reservoir. In the winter you can head out onto the ice for a little ice fishing. If you want to look, but not fish, stop by the dam and peek over the edge. The fish like to gather in the eddies at the edges of the reservoir near the dam. Please do not feed the fish.

There are two major trails in the area, Jakes Rock Extreme Mountain Biking Trail, and the short, but intense, Rimrock Trail. After your ride or hike you can head over to the Kinzua Beach and cool off in the chill waters of the reservoir.

And no trip the the reservoir is complete without driving on Longhouse National Scenic Byway and up to the overlooks at Jakes Rocks and Rimrock to take in the endless view of the reservoir against the backdrop of the forest.

Scroll down to find out more about the activities available on the reservoir.

History of the Reservoir

The reservoir was created in the 1960s when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Kinzua Dam on the upper Allegheny River. The reservoir water level and water surface is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Only a few private landowners exist on the New York shoreline. The Allegheny Reservoir is unique because very little private commercial development exists along its shoreline. The majority of the existing developed recreation sites on the PA portion of the Reservoir are operated and maintained by the Allegheny National Forest.
Jakes Rocks Overlook and Mountain Bike Trail
Morrison Hiking Trail
Bradford Ranger District
The Bradford Ranger District covers the northern half of the Allegheny National Forest. Highlights of this area include the Allegheny Reservoir, Wild and Scenic Allegheny River and Hearts Content.

Hidden gems found on the district are the Old Powerhouse, Timberdoodle Flats Interpretive Trail and Hall Barn Wildlife Viewing Area.
Rocky Gap ATV Trail
Willow Creek ATV Trail
Marienville Ranger District
The Marienville Ranger District covers the southern half of the Allegheny National Forest. Highlights of this area include the Penoke, Marienville and Timberline OHV trails, Wild and Scenic Clarion River and Buzzard Swamp.

Hidden gems on this district include the Little Drummer Trail, Laurel Mill Trail and Beaver Meadows.
Brush Hollow Cross Country Ski and Hiking Trail
Buzzard Swamp Wildlife Viewing and Hiking Area
Buzzard Swamp. A 11.2 mile system of inter-connecting trails offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on the Forest. The area is an important link in the Atlantic flyway during the waterfowl migration.

Visitors can cross-country ski, mountain bike, hike, hunt or go bass fishing. Fifteen man-made ponds were constructed in the early 1960’s in partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Buzzard Swamp is within a special management area that emphasizes wildlife management and recreational opportunities.

Two trailheads provide access to the area.

The Songbird Sojourn Interpretive Trail is a 1.5 mile self-guided nature trail that starts at the Buzzard Swamp 157 trailhead. The trail is marked with gray diamonds. Pamphlets are available at the trailhead and the Marienville Ranger Station.

View/Print Trail Brochure - pdf
Buzzard Swamp 157 Trailhead
Buzzard Swamp 376 Trailhead
Twin Lakes Hiking Trail

Mountain Biking

Mountain Bike Trails on the ANF

Planning Your Mountain Bike Experience

Protect the environment

Ride safely, stay in control

Be prepared

Mountain Biking Areas

History of the Reservoir

Alerts & Warnings

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities