Exploring Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County

A collage showcasing Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. The top left image features a wooden footbridge surrounded by autumn foliage and a peaceful forest trail. The top right image displays a reflective pond bordered by vibrant fall trees, a grassy area, and a sandy beach. The bottom left image captures a nature museum exhibit with taxidermy wildlife, including a black bear, turkey, and coyote, set against wooden interior walls. The bottom right image showcases rustic log cabins nestled among trees with colorful autumn leaves, highlighting the park's natural beauty and historical charm.

If you’re looking for information about visiting Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, you’re in the right place!

A serene view of a gently curving creek at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, framed by vibrant autumn foliage in shades of gold, orange, and red, with a grassy path alongside the water and a rustic wooden footbridge visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky, showcasing the park's tranquil beauty.

Spanning 1,901 acres, Clear Creek State Park offers serene forests, historic CCC-built cabins, hiking trails, and Clarion River access for fishing and kayaking.

A serene view of Clear Creek winding through Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, surrounded by lush trees with early autumn foliage and dappled sunlight reflecting off the water, with a rocky shoreline adding to the peaceful woodland setting.

Situated in the picturesque Clear Creek Valley, this park is a perfect destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

A rustic wooden footbridge crossing a small creek at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, surrounded by towering trees with hints of autumn foliage, leading to an open grassy area with a historic stone pavilion in the background, reflecting the park’s tranquil and charming atmosphere.

Directions and Hours

The Clear Creek State Park office is located at 38 Clear Creek, Park Road, Sigel, PA 15860.


The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset, with day use areas closing at dusk.

A picturesque dam at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, with water gently cascading over stone steps beneath a rustic wooden footbridge, surrounded by dense trees adorned with autumn foliage and moss-covered rocks, creating a serene and natural woodland scene.

The park office, beach, overnight areas, and other areas are open specific seasons and hours.

A historic shingle mill exhibit at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, featuring a large vintage saw housed under a wooden shelter, surrounded by a forested area with tall trees and dappled sunlight, showcasing the park’s connection to the logging and lumbering heritage of the region.

What You’ll See at Clear Creek State Park

Visitors to the park will be delighted by its historic charm, starting with the rustic cabin colony built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.

A cluster of rustic log cabins at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, nestled among tall trees adorned with golden and green autumn foliage, showcasing the historic craftsmanship of the Civilian Conservation Corps from the 1930s and offering a peaceful retreat for park visitors.

These cabins, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, provide a glimpse into the craftsmanship of a bygone era.

A wooden sign at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, recognizing the outstanding efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps in conserving Pennsylvania’s natural resources, marking the site of Company 353 (S-53) from 1933 to 1937, surrounded by tall trees and dappled sunlight in a serene forest setting.

The nearby Nature and Lumbering Museum showcases tools, artifacts and photos from the area’s logging history, which dates back to the 1800s, long before the birth of the state park.

The Nature and Lumbering Museum at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, housed in a rustic building with a stone chimney and wooden siding, surrounded by lush trees and vibrant autumn foliage, featuring a welcoming porch and an American flag flying nearby, highlighting the park’s dedication to preserving its natural and historical heritage.

While it looks small from the outside, the museum offers a wealth of information about the history of the land which now comprises the park.

An exhibit at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, showcasing artifacts and historical photos related to the lumbering industry, including tools like a double-bladed axe, ox shoes, and wedges, along with informational text about the roles of teamsters and sawyers in Pennsylvania’s forests, highlighting the region’s rich logging heritage.

The museum is also complete with taxidermy mounts of wildlife found in the park, as well as educational displays.

An interior exhibit at the Nature and Lumbering Museum in Clear Creek State Park, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, featuring taxidermy displays of local wildlife, including a black bear, wild turkey, coyote, and smaller animals, along with educational posters, wooden walls, and natural lighting, providing visitors with a glimpse into the region’s rich ecological and natural history.

For those seeking adventure, the park features numerous hiking trails, like the Ox Shoe Self-Guiding Historical Trail, which combines a peaceful walk with fascinating insights into the region’s past.

The Ox Shoe Self-Guiding Historical Trail sign at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, featuring a wooden display with a mounted ox shoe, surrounded by a forested area with tall trees and a carpet of pine needles, marking the start of a scenic and educational hiking path that highlights the park’s historical and natural features.

The Clarion River, which forms the northern border of the park, invites visitors to enjoy fishing, kayaking, or simply relaxing by its tranquil waters.

A tranquil view of the Clarion River at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, with clear blue skies reflecting on the calm water, surrounded by forested hills showcasing a mix of green and early autumn foliage, and a rocky shoreline adding to the natural beauty of the scene.

The park also features a small but beautiful lake on Clear Creek, surrounded by sandy beaches and grassy picnic areas, perfect for family outings.

A peaceful sandy beach area at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, bordered by a calm pond reflecting the vibrant autumn foliage of surrounding trees, with a grassy field and rustic picnic tables in the background under a partly cloudy sky, offering a tranquil setting for outdoor relaxation and recreation.

The dam on Clear Creek that helps form the lake is another highlight, where cascading water adds a soothing soundtrack to the serene atmosphere.

A scenic dam at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, with cascading water flowing beneath a rustic wooden footbridge, surrounded by lush evergreen trees and rocky terrain, highlighting the park’s serene and natural charm.

Rustic stone picnic pavilions, built by the CCC, add a touch of history to the outdoor dining experience.

A historic stone picnic pavilion at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, featuring a large stone fireplace and rustic timber supports, surrounded by lush green grass and towering trees in a peaceful forest setting.

Footbridges scattered throughout the park cross gently flowing creeks., creating picture-perfect spots to pause and take in the beauty of the surroundings.

A charming wooden footbridge crossing a small creek at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage and tall trees, with a gravel path and picnic tables nearby, offering a picturesque and serene woodland setting for visitors to enjoy.

In autumn, the park transforms into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, making it a prime destination for leaf-peeping.

A serene pond at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, reflecting the vibrant fall foliage of surrounding trees in shades of gold, orange, and red, with a small grassy area and sandy shore in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky, showcasing the park’s tranquil autumn beauty.

Visitors can stop in at the park office for maps and tips on making the most of their trip.

The park office at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, housed in a rustic log-style building surrounded by well-maintained greenery and vibrant autumn foliage, serving as an information hub and administrative center for visitors exploring the park’s scenic and historical attractions.

Final Thoughts

Clear Creek State Park offers a harmonious blend of history, recreation, and natural beauty.

A peaceful scene at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, featuring a person sitting on a picnic bench at a wooden fishing pier, surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage reflecting in the still waters of a nearby pond, with a rustic footbridge and dense forest in the background.

Whether you’re exploring its trails, relaxing by the river, immersing yourself in its history, staying in a cozy cabin, or just visiting for the day, this park offers something for everyone to enjoy and promises an unforgettable outdoor experience.

A picturesque picnic pavilion at Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage with golden and orange leaves, tall trees, and a serene wooded setting, offering a tranquil spot for outdoor gatherings amidst the park’s natural beauty.

Nearby Attractions

Beartown Rocks in Jefferson County features an exceptional scenic overlook perched high atop a “rock city” dating back to the last Ice Age!

Beartown Rocks Overlook in the Clear Creek State Forest.

Cook Forest State Park covers an 8,500-acre expanse across portions of Clarion, Jefferson, and Forest counties in northwestern PA.

Exploring Cook Forest State Park in northwestern Pennsylvania.

6 Must-See Attractions in Jefferson County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near Clear Creek State Park.

A collage of 4 photos showing some of the best things to see and do in Jefferson County PA.

Find even more great spots to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!


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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.