Oil Creek Bike Trail

The bridge at Petroleum Center is closed to vehicles but open to bicycle and pedestrians.
To park at the southern end of the trail use the Rt 227 detour and follow the Petroleum Center Road detour signs to get to the Trail Head near the Park Office.

The scenic 9.7 mile asphalt trail is built on a historic railroad grade which runs parallel to Oil Creek through wooded park land. The trail is suitable for users of every level of conditioning. Creek vistas, restrooms, and picnic areas are strategically located along the trail. This trail offers a special combination of natural beauty and historical significance. It follows the path of development of the oil industry in the 1860’s. The story is told by exhibits and interpretive signs along the trail.

Facilities

Petroleum Center, southern end

Parking
Flush Restrooms at the Park Office
Bike Rentals at Park Office. Call 814-676-5915
Visitors Center (Across the bridge at train station.)
Picnic Area and Playground
Creek Access

Jersey Bridge, northern end

Parking
Restroom
Picnic Area
Creek Access
Connection to Queen City Trail
Short distance to Drake Well Museum

Drake Well Museum has a replica of the first oil well (Drake's Well), walking tours and programs, and relics of the early oil industry. The Drake Well Museum has a souvenir shop, flush restrooms, picnic areas and flower gardens.

Food and lodging are available in the nearby towns of Titusville, at the northern end, and Oil City at the southern end.

Trailheads (Motor vehicle access)

From the North: Jersey Bridge next to Drake Well Museum near Titusville. The museum entrance is off Route 8 at the southern edge of Titusville at E. Bloss Street.

From the South at Oil City follow Rt 8 North to Rt 227 at Rouseville. Follow the Rt 227 detour signs for Petroleum Center Road. At Plumer take Petroleum Center Road to the trail head parking just before the closed bridge.

Trail Extensions

Northern end:

On the northern end the trail extends to the Queen City Trail, into downtown Titusville. It ends at the intersection with Route 8 behind McDonalds. The Queen City begins just across the road from the Oil Creek State Park bike trail. It runs between a tributary of Oil Creek and the Titusville School Districts athletic complex. It continues on local roads to Rt 8.

Southern end:

The share the road portion of the trail from Petroleum Center to the McClintock Bike Trail uses State Park Road to connect to Rt 8 at Rynd Farm. The trail then uses a short section of Rt 8 to get to Waitz Rd an unpaved road to get to the McClintock Well #1 the oldest continually operating well in the Oil Region. From there the paved McClintock Trail travels beside the railroad tracks to the northern end of Oil City. The trail again uses a share the road path through Oil City to the paved Justice Trail to Franklin. AVTA trails continue south along the Allegheny river.

photo by Joe Ursano