TRAILS OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Pymatuning State Park
Pymatuning is over 16,000 acres and has at least 7 miles of hiking trails. A 2-mile causeway bridge intersects the lake, connecting Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Tamarack Trail
Length: 1 mile loop
Approximate mileage from Allegheny College: 30 miles
Type: Loop
Allowed Usage: Walking, Cross Country Skiing
Trail Surface: Natural Earth and Boardwalk
This mile-long looped trail passes through deciduous forests of black cherry, maple, and tamarack trees. The trail runs along the edges of Beaver Dam Pond by way of boardwalk and at one point intersects with the Beaver Dam Trail. It is said to be one of the more difficult hiking trails in the area.
Sources/ Learn more at:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pymatuning/#hiking
Beaver Dam Trail
Length: 0.5 miles
Approximate mileage from Allegheny College: 32 miles
Type: Out and back
Allowed Usage: Walking
Trail Surface: Natural Earth and Walkway
This 0.5-mile spur trail, or a trail that leads off of a main trail, leads off of the Tamarack Trail into a wetland area observation deck where you can watch on for nesting waterfowl, turtles, and other wildlife. The trailhead can be located on West Lake Road.
Sources/ Learn more at:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pymatuning/#hiking
Log Cabin Trail
Length: 1 mile
Approximate mileage from Allegheny College: 30 miles
Type: Out and back
Allowed Usage: Walking
Trail Surface: Natural Earth
This more difficult mile hike is accessible using the Tamarack Trail head and proceed right at the Y-intersection of Tamarack Trail (blazes will be yellow on trees). In 2012, a major storm blew down many trails along the trail but there is a lot of new growth occurring. The trail crosses Adams Road past the cabins and eventually leads to Jamestown Campground by way of the Camp Store Trail.
Sources/ Learn more at:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pymatuning/#hiking
Camp Store Trail
Length: 0.5 miles
Approximate mileage from Allegheny College: 30 miles
Type: Out and back
Allowed Usage: Walking
Trail Surface: Natural Earth
The trail is found on the Jamestown Campground across from the camp store and joins the Log Cabin Trail.
Sources/ Learn more at:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pymatuning/#hiking
Pet Connector Trail
Length: 0.25 miles
Approximate mileage from Allegheny College: 30 miles
Type: Out and back
Allowed Usage: Walking
Trail Surface: Natural Earth
The sole purpose of this trail is so that campers can access the Log Cabin Trail from the extra parking lot without taking their pets through the pet restrictive area of the campground.
Sources/ Learn more at:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pymatuning/#hiking
Sugar Run Trail
Length: 1 mile
Approximate mileage from Allegheny College: 30 miles
Type: Out and back
Allowed Usage: Walking, Snowmobiling
Trail Surface: Natural Earth
This trail begins below the dam at Shelter 1, crosses the Shenango River and runs along the water on the Sugar Run.
Sources/ Learn more at:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pymatuning/#hiking
Spillway Trail
Length: 2.5 miles
Approximate mileage from Allegheny College: 30 miles
Type: Out and back
Allowed Usage: Walking, Bicycling
Trail Surface: Ballast (paved), Some portions are dirt and grass
A former branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, this 2.5-mile section now acts as a trail through the 2,500-acre wildlife refuge. The trail can be accessed at the Spillway parking lot or via Fries Road in Linesville, PA. The Pymatuning Spillway is a popular tourist location to feed the carp and ducks that gather in hoards to catch bread thrown into the water.
Sources/ Learn more at:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pymatuning/#hiking
https://www.traillink.com/trail/pymatuning-state-park-spillway-trail/