Trails at Jakes Rocks Honored as Pennsylvania’s 2024 Trail of the Year – Technologist

Press release shared by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR), September 6, 2024. Photos courtesy of PA DCNR.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today joined the celebration honoring the Trails at Jakes Rocks (TAJR) as Pennsylvania’s 2024 Trail of the Year.

The Trails at Jakes Rocks is a 35-mile natural surface trail system located in the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County. The trails are used primarily for mountain biking, but other types of recreation such as hiking, trail running, and cross-country skiing are also permitted. TAJR was established to address a notable gap in Warren County’s recreational landscape: high-quality mountain bike trails. TAJR’s unique design as a stacked-loop system significantly reduces the typical gaps found in point-to-point trail systems.

Recognizing the importance of the economic and many other benefits of outdoor recreation to the Commonwealth, Governor Shapiro launched the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation in 2023 and an Outdoor Business Alliance in 2024. To improve public lands, the proposed budget builds on the success of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps with a $5 million investment in an effort to diversify and strengthen conservation career and workforce pathways for young people and protect our natural resources.

“We proudly celebrate the 2024 Trail of the Year, the Trails at Jakes Rocks, for the wonderful health and wellness opportunities the trail system provides, and the economic impact it brings to Warren County,” Secretary Dunn said. “With this honor, we expect to see even more people hiking, biking and running around these trails, and are hopeful the trail system is a gateway to adventures in the surrounding Allegheny National Forest.

TAJR has not only created a fantastic trail system but also serves as an economic driver. A recent economic impact analysis found that the TAJR draws over 25,000 users annually and generates an estimated $9M in annual tourism spending. TAJR is a prime example of a modern, professionally designed, and meticulously constructed natural surface mountain bike trail system.

“On behalf of Warren and McKean Counties, the US Forest Service, Northern Allegheny Mountain Bike Association and the Warren County Development Association we sincerely thank the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for conveying the honor of PA Trail of the Year upon the Trails at Jakes Rocks,” Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry President Jim Decker said. “This system of natural surface trails provide a unique opportunity for mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners to enjoy their selected outdoor recreation activities in an amazing environment. The designation of Trail of the Year has help to stimulate an increase in usership of the Trails at Jakes Rocks by 14% in 2024 over usage in 2023.”

The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee designates the Trail of the Year to help build enthusiasm and support for trails across the state, and to raise public awareness about the value of the Pennsylvania’s land and water trail network. Pennsylvania continues its tradition of being a leader in trail development by providing its citizens and visitors with more than 12,000 miles of trails.

In an effort to close the gaps in this network and bring trails to close everyone, DCNR has established to equitably provide access to trails for all Pennsylvanians. The agency is also focusing on closing priority trail gaps and prioritizing strategic investments in trails across the Commonwealth.

The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee is charged with implementing the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Trails Strategic Plan to develop a statewide land and water trail network to facilitate recreation, transportation, and healthy lifestyles for all. The 20-member DCNR-appointed committee represents both motorized and non-motorized trail users and advises the commonwealth on use of state and federal trail funding.

Visit the PA Wilds Assets webpage or the TAJR Facebook page for more information about the trail. Check out DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands. ​

Media Contact: Wesley Robinson, [email protected], 717.877.6315