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North Country National Scenic Trail
Walk among rocks and waterfalls, Allegheny hardwoods and stands of mountain laurel! Explore the 96.3 miles of North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) that meander through the historic lands of the Iroquois, the Allegheny Plateau, some of the most valuable black cherry and oak in the world, landscapes rich in history, wildlife, and natural beauty.
A unique national resource, the NCNST is part of a 3,200-mile National Scenic Trail to extend from Crown Point, NY to Lake Sakakawea, ND. Once completed, it will be the longest continuous foot path in the US.
View/Print Trail Brochure - pdf
Helpful links:
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | This trail is not groomed. For routinely updated trail alerts, including closures and reroutes, visit the North Country Trail Association website. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | Open 24 hours |
| Area Amenities: | Tent camping, Drinking water, Parking |
| Fees: | No fee |
| Permit Info: | No permit required. |
| Open Season: | January - December |
| Usage: | Light |
| Restrictions: | Camping: You may camp on National Forest land, however camping is not permitted on the shores and within 1,500 feet of the timberline around the Allegheny Reservoir, except in areas designated for such use. In addition, no camping will be allowed within
|
| Closest Towns: | Warren, Bradford, Kane, Marienville |
| Water: | None |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Marienville Ranger District Address: 131 Smokey Lane Marienville, PA 16239 Phone: 1-814-927-6628 Bradford Ranger District: 29 Forest Service Dr., Bradford, PA 16701 Phone: 814-362-4613 Email: sm.fs.anf@usda.gov |
General Information
Directions:Multiple locations throughout forest.
NY State Border to SR 321 at Nelse Run
SR 346, SR 321 at Nelse Run
SR 321 at Nelse Run to SR 59
SR 321 at Nelse Run, FR 265
SR 59 to SR 321 at Chappel Fork
FR 265, SR 321 at Chappel Fork
SR 321 at Chappel Fork to Red Bridge Recreation Area
SR 321 at Chappel Fork, Red Bridge
Red Bridge Recreation Area to US 6
Red Bridge, Longhouse Trailhead, US 6
US 6 to Tionesta Scenic Area
US 6,FR 149 at Fox’s Dam
Tionesta Scenic Area to SR 666 at Henry's Mills
SR 666 at Henrys Mills, parking is limited at Tionesta Scenic Area, FR 148.
SR 666 at Henry's Mills to Minister Road
SR 666 at Henrys Mills, limited roadside parking on Minister Road
Minister Road to Forest Road 116 at Dunham Siding
limited roadside parking on Minister Road, FR 116
Forest Road 116 at Dunham Siding to Forest Road 449
FR 116
Forest Road 449 to Forest Road 127
SR 666, FR 127
Forest Road 127 to Forest road 145 at Amsler Springs
FR 127, Amsler Springs
Forest Road 145 at Amsler Springs to Forest Boundary
Amsler Springs, FR 540
Activities
Campground Camping
For information on dispersed camping visit the Dispersed Camping section of the website.
Campgrounds you can access from the trail:
NY State Border to SR 321 at Nelse Run
SR 321 at Nelse Run to SR 59
Dispersed sites near Hammond Run
SR 59 to SR 321 at Chappel Fork
Dispersed sites near the headwaters to Hemlock Run
SR 321 at Chappel Fork to Red Bridge Recreation Area
Red Bridge Recreation Area to US 6
US 6 to Tionesta Scenic Area
Dispersed
Tionesta Scenic Area to SR 666 at Henry's Mills
SR 666 at Henry's Mills to Minister Road
Dispersed
Minister Road to Forest Road 116 at Dunham Siding
Dispersed sites near Minister Trail, near the rock cities
Forest Road 116 at Dunham Siding to Forest Road 449
Hearts Content Campground and Scenic Area
Dispersed sites near the ghost town of Braceville, south of Coalbend Run about 1/2 mile
Forest Road 449 to Forest Road 127
Army Corp of Engineers Campground near Tionesta Creek
Forest Road 127 to Forest road 145 at Amsler Springs
Dispersed sites near the scenic Little Salmon Creek valley
Adirondack shelter is available at Amsler Springs as well as ample space for tents and parking.
Forest Road 145 at Amsler Springs to Forest Boundary
Kittanning State Forest and Cook Forest State Park
General Info:
General NotesFor information on dispersed camping visit the Dispersed Camping section of the website.
Campgrounds you can access from the trail:
NY State Border to SR 321 at Nelse Run
SR 321 at Chappel Fork to Red Bridge Recreation Area
Red Bridge Recreation Area to US 6
Tionesta Scenic Area to SR 666 at Henry's Mills
Forest Road 116 at Dunham Siding to Forest Road 449
Hearts Content Campground and Scenic Area
Forest Road 449 to Forest Road 127
Army Corp of Engineers Campground near Tionesta Creek
Forest Road 127 to Forest road 145 at Amsler Springs
Adirondack shelter is available at Amsler Springs as well as ample space for tents and parking.
Forest Road 145 at Amsler Springs to Forest Boundary
Kittanning State Forest and Cook Forest State Park
General Notes
For information on dispersed camping visit the Dispersed Camping section of the website.
Campgrounds you can access from the trail:
NY State Border to SR 321 at Nelse Run
SR 321 at Nelse Run to SR 59
Dispersed sites near Hammond Run
SR 59 to SR 321 at Chappel Fork
Dispersed sites near the headwaters to Hemlock Run
SR 321 at Chappel Fork to Red Bridge Recreation Area
Red Bridge Recreation Area to US 6
US 6 to Tionesta Scenic Area
Dispersed
Tionesta Scenic Area to SR 666 at Henry's Mills
SR 666 at Henry's Mills to Minister Road
Dispersed
Minister Road to Forest Road 116 at Dunham Siding
Dispersed sites near Minister Trail, near the rock cities
Forest Road 116 at Dunham Siding to Forest Road 449
Hearts Content Campground and Scenic Area
Dispersed sites near the ghost town of Braceville, south of Coalbend Run about 1/2 mile
Forest Road 449 to Forest Road 127
Army Corp of Engineers Campground near Tionesta Creek
Forest Road 127 to Forest road 145 at Amsler Springs
Dispersed sites near the scenic Little Salmon Creek valley
Adirondack shelter is available at Amsler Springs as well as ample space for tents and parking.
Forest Road 145 at Amsler Springs to Forest Boundary
Kittanning State Forest and Cook Forest State Park
River and Stream Fishing
The trail crosses Willow Creek, Nelse Run, North Brank of Sugar Run, Chappel Fork, Kinzua Creek, Two Mile Run, Queen Creek, Salmon Creek and Tionesta Creek.
Day Hiking
| Trailhead | Trailhead | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| NY Border | SR 321 at Nelse Run | 11.3 |
| SR 321 at Nelse Run | SR 59 | 6 |
| SR 59 | SR 321 at Chappel Fork | 7.1 |
| SR 321 at Chappel Fork | Red Bridge Recreation Area | 5.4 |
| Red Bridge Recreation Area | US 6 | 6 |
| US 6 | Tionesta Scenic Area | 6.5 |
| Tionesta Scenic Area | SR 666 at Henry's Mills | 9 |
| SR 666 at Henry's Mills | Minister Road | 10.4 |
| Minister Road | Forest Road 116 at Dunham Siding | 5.5 |
| Forest Road 116 at Dunham Siding | Forest Road 449 | 6.8 |
| Forest Road 449 | Forest Road 127 | 7.9 |
| Forest Road 127 | Forest Road 145 at Amsler Springs | 11.2 |
| Forest Road 145 at Amsler Springs | Forest Boundary | 3.2 |
| Total Miles | 96.3 |
| Fire Information | Campfires are permitted if maintained in a fire ring, and completely extinguished. |
Backpacking
NY State Border to SR 321 at Nelse Run
After passing through a beautiful hardwood forest, you reach SR 346; just west is Willow Bay Recreation Area.
SR 321 at Nelse Run to SR 59
Some say this is the most scenic part of the trail. Watch for maidenhair fern. Spectacular scenery down the run.
SR 59 to SR 321 at Chappel Fork
The dense mountain laurel near SR 59 is spectacular in mid-June.
SR 321 at Chappel Fork to Red Bridge Recreation Area
The wildlife opening near Root Run features grassy fields, shrubs and apple trees for wildlife cover and food.
Red Bridge Recreation Area to US 6
South of Gibbs Hill Road a vista offer hikers a sweeping view of the South Branch Kinzua Creek valley. The trail passes though many tranquil conifer plantations. Throughout this area, there are many traces of historic roads.
US 6 to Tionesta Scenic Area
Just north of FR 133, the trail passes through an interesting rock formation. The trail parallels East Branch of Tionesta Creek with many good views of the stream and surrounding woodlands. The East Branch of Tionesta Creek offers excellent trout fishing opportunities.
Tionesta Scenic Area to SR 666 at Henry's Mills
The NCT follows a portion of the Tionesta Scenic Area Interpretive Trail (gray diamonds). Near the juncture with the Twin Lakes Trail there is an interesting rock formation.
SR 666 at Henry's Mills to Minister Road
This section of trail parallels Messenger Run towards its headwaters, then crosses over into Pell Run. Many miles of this section follow abandoned railroad grades.
Minister Road to Forest Road 116 at Dunham Siding
Shortly after the Minister Road, the NCT intersects with the Minister Trail. The NCT follows the Minister Trail for a just over half a mile before it breaks away and follows the west branch Minister Creek. Near the headwaters of the creek, the trail begins its ascent to Forest Road 419. As the NCT nears Dunham Siding, it follows an old railroad grade used to transport timber around the turn of the last century.
Forest Road 116 at Dunham Siding to Forest Road 449
Near Dunham Siding, the trail intersects the Tanbark Trail, a trail that connects to the Hearts Content Campground and Scenic Area and ends at the Allegheny River. The NCT drops into the scenic headwaters of Beaver Run next, and then follows a small tributary to the east. This section of the trail ends with a short, but steeper climb up to Forest Road 449.
Forest Road 449 to Forest Road 127
This section of trail generally follows the headwaters of East Fork Run down into Fork Run. This trail crosses Fork Run several times. The trail leaves Fork Run just north of the village of Kellettville, climbing up a short hill to State Route 666. The trail follows several open public roads through Kellettville. The trail leaves the road near FR 145.
Forest Road 127 to Forest road 145 at Amsler Springs
Just north of FR 127 trail passes through the tornado swath of 1985. A rock city sits in the middle of the 1985 tornado swath among some trees that escaped destruction. The trail parallels Fourmile Run, a wilderness trout stream, for several miles. North of Guiton Run, the trail has several good views of the Salmon Creek valley.
Forest Road 145 at Amsler Springs to Forest Boundary
The Coon Creek valley offers a scenic bridge crossing and beaver activity. For another 16.2 miles the trail continues, ending at the Gravel Lick Bridge over the Clarion River.
| Fire Information | Campfires are permitted if maintained in a fire ring, and completely extinguished. |
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
This trail is not groomed and can be used for back country cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
| Warming Shelters | No |
| Base Conditions | Not a groomed trail |
Amenities
| Tent camping: | dispersed, campgrounds |
|---|---|
| Parking: | multiple locations |
| Drinking water: | Potable: Willow Bay, Tracy Ridge, Handsome Lake, Hopewell Campground, Red Bridge, Kiasutha, Hearts Content |
Related Information
Location