Don’t Hibernate… Recreate!

Plenty of Trails and Outdoor Fun When the Snow Starts to Fly

Marilla Bridges Trail - Bradford, PAThe Allegheny National Forest Region has plenty of trails and outdoor activities that allow visitors to play in the great outdoors! Our trails are perfect for strapping on a pair of snow shoes and getting into the forest.

Other choices include snowmobiling, ice skating, and cross-country skiing. For those looking to enjoy the great indoors, try sipping some mulled wine at one of our wineries, or snuggle in front of a roaring fireplace at one of our B&Bs.

For snowmobilers, the fun begins on December 15, the first day of the official snowmobile season in the Allegheny National Forest.

“The Loop” within the Allegheny National Forest provides more than 200 miles of groomed trails and connects to the Allegheny State Park in New York State. To check trail conditions, call 814-362-4613.

High Pines RV Park and Lantz Corners Getaway offer direct access to snowmobile trails and room to park large RVs, toy haulers and snowmobile trailers.

Callahan Ice Rink, 64 Poplin Avenue, Bradford, Pennsylvania, is open seasonally from the first week of November to the first week of March. Fully enclosed, the ice rink offers a heated viewing area, skate rentals, four locker rooms and concession stand. Public skating hours are: Tuesday 6:30 pm to 9 pm. Friday 6 pm to 9 pm. Saturday 1 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm, Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm. Callahan Ice Rink hosts both the Bradford Youth USA Sanctioned Hockey Team and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Hockey Team. Call 814-368-8190 for additional information.

The Westline Cross-Country Ski area offers a variety of ski areas that range from easy to difficult. This area is a great place to strap on the snowshoes or those cross-country skis. The trailhead, located 11 miles south of Bradford, leads skiers to an easy short circuit loop, which is 1.5 miles, an inside-out-loop, which is the same distance, but more difficult, as well as more difficult loops, including the Ledges Loop, Boo-Boo’s Delight Loop and Thundershower Trail, which is the longest loop at 4.1 miles. This trail is not groomed and is rated difficult.

Don’t forget to stop and rest at the historic Westline Inn where you can enjoy gourmet dining in a casual atmosphere. Be one of the many that travel from all over to enjoy this unique inn. There’s a wide range of delicacies to eat here whether it’s a 32 oz. porterhouse steak, rack of lamb or crepes Julia, crepes stuffed with shrimp, scallops and haddock. For reservations, call 814-778-5103.

If you come to the region and discover you need more supplies, stop by the Sportman’s Outlet at 500 Chestnut Street in Bradford. This outlet store has an amazing variety of goods from many brand name lines, including Carhartt, Outlander and Remington. There’s plenty to choose from here in addition to the clothing. There’s home decor, too, including clocks and wall hangings.

To find out more about the Allegheny National Forest Region or to request a free travel guide and map, call the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau at 1-800-473-9370 or request a brochure online.