Pine Creek Rail Trail Named 2026 Trail of the Year

Pennsylvania officials recognized the 65-mile route for its ongoing contributions to the state's outdoor recreation.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Hiking

Screen-print poster illustration of a winding forest trail in the Appalachian Mountains, rendered in a warm, vintage-inspired color palette. — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has named the 65-mile Pine Creek Rail Trail as the 2026 Trail of the Year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has designated the 65-mile Pine Creek Rail Trail as the 2026 Trail of the Year. The honor highlights the path's significance to regional outdoor culture and local economic growth.

Why it matters

This designation recognizes the success of repurposing decommissioned industrial infrastructure into vibrant outdoor corridors that serve residents and visitors alike. The recognition underscores the trail's role as a staple of Pennsylvania's recreational landscape.

The 65-mile trail route spans both Lycoming and Tioga Counties. It currently attracts over 44,000 users each year, generating more than $5 million for the local economy.

The players

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

This state agency is responsible for managing Pennsylvania's vast network of parks, forests, and public recreational lands.

Tioga County Planning Department

This regional office oversees land use development, transportation planning, and infrastructure projects within Tioga County.

Iroquois Nation

The Iroquois Nation is a powerful historical confederacy of Indigenous peoples who inhabited and utilized these lands prior to European settlement.

The details

Spanning 65 miles through the Appalachian Mountains, the route originated as a railway during the late 19th century before service ended in 1988. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Tioga County Planning Department collaborated to honor the trail, which also traces historical routes once utilized by the Iroquois Nation.

Late 19th century: The route operated as an active railroad.
1988: Railroad service ceased on the line.
2026: The Pine Creek Rail Trail was officially named Trail of the Year.

Roadmap

The designation of the Pine Creek Rail Trail follows the established national trend of converting defunct railway lines into popular public recreational corridors. This shift highlights how states are prioritizing industrial reuse to bolster regional tourism and outdoor access.

Visitors can anticipate heightened interest in the trail, which may lead to increased weekend traffic and expanded visitor amenities along the route. Residents should prepare for potential seasonal surges in tourism that accompany such high-profile state recognitions.

The takeaway

Reclaiming abandoned rail corridors offers a proven path to revitalizing local economies through sustainable, low-impact tourism. Travelers should plan their visits during shoulder seasons to experience the trail while avoiding peak crowd levels.