Oil Creek State Park
Notice: As of 10/21/2022 PennDOT will be closing Petroleum Center bridge by the park off — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- pa.gov(814) 676-5915
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Alert Miller Farm, Pioneer and Russell Corners roads are not maintained throughout thewinter and can accumulate large amounts of snow and ice. Please avoid or use extreme caution when traveling these roads during the winter months.… (more)
winter and can accumulate large amounts of snow and ice. Please avoid or use extreme caution when traveling these roads during the winter months. Call the park office for alternative routes and for more information.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Closure As of 10/21/2022 PennDOT will be closing Petroleum Center bridge by the park office due to severe structural damage. The bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic but is open to bicycle, and foot traffic. This closure is… (more)
ice due to severe structural damage. The bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic but is open to bicycle, and foot traffic. This closure is expected to be in effect for the foreseeable future. For anyone traveling from the south to reach the Park Office, McCrea Farm/ski trails, Egbert pavilion and the southern delayed harvest area, you will need to follow detour signs in Rouseville directing you onto Rt. 227. If traveling from the north, you will need to follow detour signs directing you to Rt. 227 into the town of Plummer. Park directional signs are located along 227 in the town of Plummer. If you have any questions, please call the park office.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Venango County, about 6 miles north of Oil City, Oil Creek State Park covers about 7,210 acres.
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. Its trail network totals roughly 52 miles, according to the park. Water access includes a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are 2 camping areas (tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping). The park says there are no showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | sunrise – sunset | — |
Official wording
The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. The park office is open specific hours. Overnight areas and other areas are open specific seasons and hours. Contact the park office for facility seasons and hours.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (Aspira), Pennsylvania State Parks contract
- Phone
- 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Pets are permitted at the shelter areas. Please contact the park office for guidelines for pets.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacking The 36-mile long Gerard Hiking Trail encompasses the entire park. The main trail is marked with yellow paint blazes. For shorter day hikes, use the five connecting loops blazed in white. Scenic vistas, waterfalls, and historic sites are prevalent along the trail.
Parking areas are available at several access points.
Two overnight, hike-in shelter areas (Cow Run and Wolfkiel Run) are along the trail. Each area contains:
• Tent sites
• Six Adirondack-style shelters with fireplaces
• Restrooms
• Seasonal water supply
Camping is permitted in shelter areas only. Other special regulations pertain to | — | Fires are only permitted in camp stoves, fireplaces, or designated locations and must be extinguished when unattended. | — |
| Organized Group Tenting Organized groups can rent a rustic camping area in Wildcat Hollow or behind the warming hut.
Each area has:
• Nearby parking
• Picnic tables
• Fire circle
• Composting toilets
• Seasonal water, but no showers
• Adirondack shelters
Each camp can accommodate up to 25 people.
Call the park office for accommodations for larger groups.
Advance reservations are required. | — | Each camp can accommodate up to 25 people.Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Backpacking
The 36-mile long Gerard Hiking Trail encompasses the entire park. The main trail is marked with yellow paint blazes. For shorter day hikes, use the five connecting loops blazed in white. Scenic vistas, waterfalls, and historic sites are prevalent along the trail.
Parking areas are available at several access points.
Two overnight, hike-in shelter areas (Cow Run and Wolfkiel Run) are along the trail. Each area contains:
- Tent sites
- Six Adirondack-style shelters with fireplaces
- Restrooms
- Seasonal water supply
Camping is permitted in shelter areas only. Other special regulations pertain to these areas. A fee and reservations are mandatory for use of these areas and overnight usage is limited to one night per shelter site.
Fires are only permitted in camp stoves, fireplaces, or designated locations and must be extinguished when unattended. Standing timber and shrubs must not be defaced.
Pets are permitted at the shelter areas. Please contact the park office for guidelines for pets.
Instructions for Making a State Park Backpacking Reservation (PDF)
Organized Group Tenting
Organized groups can rent a rustic camping area in Wildcat Hollow or behind the warming hut.
Each area has:
- Nearby parking
- Picnic tables
- Fire circle
- Composting toilets
- Seasonal water, but no showers
- Adirondack shelters
Each camp can accommodate up to 25 people.
Call the park office for accommodations for larger groups.
Advance reservations are required.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
FishingBikingHikingBoatingWinter sportsCross-country skiingHuntingPicnickingCampingCanoeing and kayaking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bike Trail | 9.7 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking, biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables, benches A paved, multi-use trail through scenic Oil Creek Valley is a major park attraction. Trailheads are located at Petroleum Centre and Jersey Bridge by Drake Well museum. Hikers and bikers can also board the OC&T Railroad for trail ride.HikingBackpackingBikingCross-country skiing recommendedSnowshoeing recommended |
| Blood Farm Interpretive Trail | 0.5 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables, benches This is a family-friendly, self-guided trail depicts the history of the Blood Family and their oil lease. Historical remnants still remain along the trail.Hiking |
| Cross-country Ski Trails | 11.5 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables, benches A network of groomed trails offers a variety of skiing experiences for beginner and intermediate skiers. These are three main loop trails (red - 5.8 miles, blue - 2.6 miles, and green - 0.6 mile) with additional connector trails blazed in white. The area includes a large parking area, warming hut, and restrooms. These trails are also popular for hikers and trail runners spring through fall.HikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| Gerard Hiking Trail | 36 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables, benches This 36-mile long trail encompasses the entire park with scenic vistas, waterfalls, and historic sites. The main trail is marked with yellow paint blazes. For shorter day hikes, use the five connecting loops blazed in white. Parking areas are available at several access points, some with amenities. Two overnight hike-in shelter areas (Cow Run and Wolfkiel Run) are along the trail. Each area contains tent sites, six Adirondack-style shelters with fireplaces, restrooms, and seasonal water HikingBackpacking |
| Petroleum Centre Walking Tour | 0.5 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables Petroleum Centre flourished from 1863 to 1870 on its twin livelihoods of oil and entertainment. This company town had no government, law enforcement, sanitation, or public works. It was reputed to the “wickedest town east of the Mississippi!” Start at the Petroleum Centre Amphitheater for this 45-minute self-guiding tour.Hiking |
| Geology Trail | 1 mi | More difficult | This loop trail climbs the hillside to a rock outcropping and shelter utilized by Indigenous people in the late woodland period and oil workers in the 1860s. |
| Forestry Trail | 0.25 mi | Easiest | Heavily forested, this trail spurs from the Wetland Trail near the Wolfe Rig. It rejoins the Wetland Trail at its terminus. |
| Oil History Trail | 0.25 mi | Easiest | The remnants of a central power house and many oil well sites can be seen from the trail. The trail spurs from the Wetland Trail and later rejoins it near the Wolfe Rig. |
| Wetland Trail | 1 mi | Easiest | The loop trail circles a wetland fed by Wildcat Run. Along this trail, an example of a Wolfe Rig, a light weight, portable drilling machine used by oil workers, can be seen. |
Trail descriptions from the park
52 miles of trails
The hiking and interpretive trails lead visitors through areas rich in historic and scenic interest. Trail maps and information are available at the park office.
Oil Creek State Park Map
Mountain bikes and horses are prohibited on hiking trails.
If you find yourself lost, travel downhill to the bicycle trail or Oil Creek and follow either upstream to Drake Well or downstream to the park office at Petroleum Centre.
The railroad running along Oil Creek is an active line. Caution: Stay off of the tracks at all times.
Wildcat Hollow Trails
2.5 miles total
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restroom
Explore a network of short hiking trails named after “wildcat” wells, oil wells drilled in areas not known to contain oil. These exploratory wells had about a 10 percent chance of being successful.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Amphitheater
- Group facilities
- Showers: not available (stated by the park)
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Oil Creek State Park offers a range of accessibility accommodations to ensure all visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Accessible Picnic Tables
Both the Egbert day-use area and the Blood Farm day-use area have one ADA site with grill and picnic tables.
Egbert Day Use Area Pavilion
The Egbert Day Use Area pavilion can accommodate up to 120 people at 15 picnic tables.
Blood Farm Day Use Area Pavilion
The Blood Farm Day Use Area Pavilion can accommodate up to 64 people at 10 picnic tables.
Hunting
All ADA hunting access requires gate access. Keys need to be signed out at the park office. All ADA hunting access sites are posted with ADA signage.
- Burns Lane - Located along Burns Lane
- Petroleum Center Rd - Located at Petroleum Center Cemetery AND Located across from x-country ski warming hut.
Read more from the park
Visitors holding a DCNR Mobility Device Permit can contact the park office for more information about accessible hunting locations within the park.
DCNR permits visitors with a DCNR Mobility Device Permit to use powered mobility devices on designated state park and forest lands, including administrative roads and trails not normally open to standard motorized vehicles.
Visitors interested in a DCNR Mobility Device Permit can fill out an application and submit it at any state park or forest office.
Theaters and Amphitheaters
An accessible amphitheater is located adjacent to the park office - Accessible from the parking lot directly by the park office.
Playground
The Blood Farm Day Use Area has ADA parking and an ADA playground.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 305 State Park Road
Oil City, PA 16301-9733 - Nearest town
- Oil City — about 6 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.5154, -79.6810
- Phone
- (814) 676-5915
- oilcreeksp@pa.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Between Drake Well Museum and Titusville to the north, and Oil City four miles to the south, the main entrance to the park is off PA 8, one mile north of the Borough of Rouseville. GPS Decimal Degrees: Lat. 41.51544 Long. -79.68097
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Pennsylvania State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Sep 3, 2026
- DCNR Find a Park: content-fragment JSON feed used by the pa.gov park finder
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology