Cameron County is a wild and wonderful outdoor paradise. Visitors looking to unplug from their busy urban lives are attracted to the area to connect with nature and unwind in the quiet mountains. Ninety-seven percent of the county is covered in pine and mixed hardwood forests. These lush forests and clear cold waterways provide rich habitat for bald eagles, magnificent elk, deer, bear, turkey, other wildlife, and a great variety of fish.
Emporium is the county seat and has many beautiful public art murals throughout the town. The new West Creek Trail is now open connecting Emporium with St. Marys. During the winter months the trail provides snowmobilers riding the nearby state forest trails, easy access to town for dining, shopping, fuel, and lodging. There is also access for horseback riding on Thunder Mountain Equestrian Trail near Sizerville State Park.
The Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning State Park is a beautiful place to learn about the wild animals that inhabit this spectacular mountainous region. You can take a guided eagle spotting pontoon boat tour of the Stevenson Dam. The county is also home to the 200,000-acre Elk State Forest, Bucktail and Sizerville state parks and the Quehanna Wild Area.
The scenic 75-mile Bucktail Trail (Rt. 120) travels through the towns of Driftwood and Emporium. The Bucktail Monument, in Driftwood, pays tribute to the local soldiers of the 42nd Infantry, known as the Bucktails, who fought in the Civil War.
The Bucktail Path is a 34 mile trail through the Elk State Forest from Sizerville State Park to Sinnemahoning offering stunning mountain vistas.
A sure sign of spring is the annual Cameron County Canoe and Kayak Classic in early April, which is one of the largest paddling events in the state. Emporium also hosts a popular Big Foot hunt during Weekend in the Wilds each July.
Cameron County is also well known to outdoorsmen. Each spring, fishermen converge on the many streams in the area for the much anticipated opening of trout season. Throughout the year the clear cold mountain waters provide some of the best fly fishing for trout in the state. With the arrival of fall, hunters come to the mountains to enjoy camp life and in search of wild turkey, whitetail deer, small game, and black bear.
Winter brings visitors to Emporium for Christmas in Wilds and snowmobilers to explore the snow covered mountains.
Find more information to plan your trip to the PA Great Outdoors region online at VisitPAGO.com or call (814) 849-5197.
