Press release by Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy posted 23 September 2026

The Pine Creek Rail Trail is Pennsylvania’s 2026 Trail of the Year!

The 65-mile Pine Creek Rail Trail follows a former railroad corridor through the Pine Creek Valley, connecting Jersey Shore to Wellsboro. Today, it is a destination for cyclists, hikers, anglers, paddlers, birdwatchers, and anyone looking for a way to experience the beauty of the Pine Creek Valley.

The Trail continues to grow and connect people to the region. The completion of the Marsh Creek Greenway in 2026 extended the trail from 62 miles to its current length. There is now a direct connection between the Trail and the Wellsboro community.

The Trail of the Year designation celebrates all that the Pine Creek Rail Trail offers, from outdoor recreation and scenic views to the communities and landscapes it connects. It is also an opportunity to recognize the role Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, and its members have played in conserving and enhancing access to the Trail and Pine Creek.

For decades, member support has helped NPC act when important conservation opportunities arose. Because of its members, NPC has helped conserve properties along Pine Creek, expand public lands, create access to the water, and conserve lands that support wildlife habitat and the health of the watershed.

Everyone can experience these places today because
NPC members chose to support conservation.

Protected Properties Along the Pine Creek Rail Trail

As you travel the Pine Creek Rail Trail, you may pass a wetland, stop beside Pine Creek, explore the state forest land, or use an access point without knowing the conservation story behind it. Each of these places represents a piece of the larger Pine Creek landscape, and each tells a story about what NPC membership has helped make possible.

NPC members have helped conserve and enhance access to PCRT and Pine Creek, helping people experience these special places, maintain wildlife habitat, and support water quality.

1. The Muck (Pennsyl & Homer Webster)

County: Tioga
Access: State Game Land #313
Acreage: 99
Who Manages It Now: Pennsylvania Game Commission

Walk down the wetland boardwalk to a wildlife viewing blind.
Once farmland for celery and lettuce, it’s now a thriving habitat for Marsh Wrens, American Bitterns, and Virginia Rails! Enjoy a short stroll down the boardwalk to take in all the sights and sounds of this wetland.

2. Cooper Connector

County: Tioga
Access: Pine Creek Rail Trail
Acreage: 1
Who Manages It Now: Tioga County

Travel the Pine Creek Rail Trail from Wellsboro Junction to the Patterson Trailhead.
Conserving the Cooper property enabled the construction of the connection from Wellsboro Junction to the Patterson Trailhead, completing the PCRT’s route from Jersey Shore to Wellsboro.

3. Cavanaugh Access

County: Tioga
Access: Pine Creek Rail Trail
Acreage: 132
Who Manages It Now: Tioga State Forest

Ride the Pine Creek Rail Trail. Birdwatch through wetland & woods. Discover the Cavanaugh Nature Trail.
Cavanaugh Access offers access to the Pine Creek Rail Trail and an opportunity to explore the landscape around Marsh Creek, one of Pine Creek’s major tributaries, and its surrounding wetlands.

4. Tomb Flats

County: Lycoming
Access: Pine Creek Rail Trail, Pine Creek
Acreage: 173
Who Manages It Now: Tiadaghton State Forest

Fish in Pine Creek. Enjoy a picnic by the water. Hop on the Pine Creek Rail Trail for a bike ride or stroll.
Tomb Flats offers a comfort station, picnic area, plenty of parking with access to PCRT and Pine Creek, and a new accessible fishing area!

5. Fisher

County: Lycoming
Acreage: 79
Who Manages It Now: Tiadaghton State Forest

Explore Tiadaghton State Forest. Take a rest on the banks of Pine Creek.
Located on Pine Creek near the Village of Cammal, the Fisher property expanded Tiadaghton State Forest and conserved nearly 320 feet of frontage on Pine Creek.

6. Fitzgerald

County: Lycoming
Acreage: 11
Who Manages It Now: Tiadaghton State Forest

Enjoy a rest and solid footing on the banks of Pine Creek.
For paddlers and anglers, this stretch of Pine Creek is a haven. The large flat bedrock along the creek’s edge is a welcome sight—a place to rest, snack, or fish without worrying about slipping. The surrounding conserved land helps provide access for forest management.

7. Townsend

County: Lycoming
Acreage: 117
Who Manages It Now: Tiadaghton State Forest

Soak up the views of this conserved hillside.
Within the viewshed of motorists on PA Route 44, paddlers and fishermen on Pine Creek, and users of the Pine Creek Rail Trail, the Townsend property helps to maintain the pastoral character of the Pine Creek Valley.

8. Phelps’ Mills Canoe Access

County: Clinton
Access: Pine Creek
Acreage: 0.69
Who Manages It Now: Tiadaghton State Forest

Glide your kayak or canoe into Pine Creek. Skip rocks on the shoreline. Wade in the water.
Not only did NPC conserve this shoreline access, NPC also helped secure funding to improve the parking area and boat launch – making it even easier for the people to enjoy this popular watering hole!

About Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy

The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) is a land trust devoted to conserving and enhancing the lands and waters of Northcentral Pennsylvania to support the environmental well-being and recreational needs of local communities.

The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy’s vision for the future guides the organization. Conserved lands nourish communities. Sustainable forests provide resources, jobs, and recreation for families. Farms provide food, resources, and jobs for local communities. Water resources are valued and enriched. People have access to the public forests, trails, and waters of the region.

Learn more by visiting https://npcweb.org/conserve/