Winter Sports

McKean County – Your Destination for Outdoor Winter Fun

Ride the Allegheny Snowmobile Loop

Snowmobiling in McKean County, PA
Snowmobiling in McKean County, PA
When it comes to snowmobiling, McKean County is entirely in the “loop”. More than 140 miles of trails in the county connect with a total of 360 miles of trails in the Allegheny National Forest, including the beautiful 114-mile Allegheny Snowmobile Loop, and to the extensive trail system in Allegany State Park, New York.

Thanks to some of the higher elevations in Pennsylvania, you can often find snow here when it is scarce elsewhere. Scenery is awesome, with plenty of nice stops along the way.

Allegheny Highlands terrain offers something for all cross-country skiers. The Westline Cross-Country Ski Area provides 7.8 miles of trails suitable for beginners to experts. Rimrock Road, 5 miles round-trip, and Tracy Ridge, with 3.5 miles of trails, Knox & Kane Rail Trail with 3.8 miles, are suitable for beginner to intermediate skiers. From your convenient base of operations in McKean County, you are also close to about 30 miles of trails at Allegany State Park.

Lake-effect storms off the Great Lakes often pile the snow deep in the high country of McKean County, just perfect for snowshoeing. Here, you can wander through more than 160,000 acres of public land.

Blazed hiking trails at Tracy Ridge are a good place to start. The Morrison Hiking Trail is a challenge for hard-core snowshoeing and winter camping.

Anglers get their share of winter excitement in McKean County. The Allegheny Reservoir is well-known for big walleyes, northern pike and trout during winter. Some of the first action of the ice-fishing season typically begins near Willow Bay and Chapel Bay. Trout fans can try their luck with stocked trout at Bradford Reservoir No. 3, also known as Marilla Reservoir. This is usually one of the first stocked trout lakes in Pennsylvania with safe ice.

Want to Know More?

Cross Country Skiing in the ANF
Nearby Accommodations
PA State Snowmobile Association
Weather Conditions in the ANF region
Snowmobile Trails in the ANF Region