Laurel Fields

Mountain Laurel:  Pennsylvania’s State Flower

Mountain Laurel is Pennsylvania’s state flower and perhaps the most beautiful of native American shrubs.  These large rhododendron-like leaves remain dark green throughout the year and in late May to mid June they can be seen blossoming throughout Pennsylvania’s forestlands.  But your best bet is to visit the beautiful Laurel Fields in Clear Creek State Forest, just north of Brookville in Jefferson County.

FIELD OF DREAMS

The Laurel Fields became a popular attraction when a regional natural gas company purchased the property from farmers in 1929.  The company allowed the Flower POWER fields to revert to a dense concentration of mountain laurel.  The fields began to have such local significance that the company opened the fields to the public in 1935 and acquired by the state’s Bureau of Forestry in 2006.  The Laurel Fields welcome your visit Memorial Day through Labor Day.  However, June is the best time to see the flowers in bloom.

Festivals and Races

The first laurel festival was held at the site in 1936.  The festival became an annual community event, featuring entertainment as well as the crowning of the laurel queen.  The Brookville Laurel Festival has grown and now takes place on Main Street in Brookville.  They continue the tradition with the pageant and have added a week full of events to appeal to everyone’s interest.  Follow their facebook page for more information.

The Fat Tire Challenge Mountain Bike Race is a popular event held in June each year at the Laurel Fields.  Coursing around rocks, roots, and obstacles, the 14+ mile race is both challenging and fun.  Experts can complete an additional 10-mile loop.  Kids are welcome, too!  A half-mile loop of dirt trail racing around the Laurel Fields is a fun experience, teaching our youth bicycle safety and engage them to become bigger participants in mountain biking activities.  Follow their facebook page for more information.

The annual Beartown ROCKS Trail Race has some exciting news this year.  A 25k option has been added to the 5.5 mile run, both start and end at the Laurel Fields, taking runners through Beartown Rocks and surrounding forestlands of Clear Creek.  Follow their facebook page for more information.