Oil Creek State Park

The Oil Creek Valley is the site of the world’s first commercial oil well. Oil Creek State Park tells the story of the early petroleum industry by interpreting oil boomtowns, oil wells and early transportation. Scenic Oil Creek carves a valley of deep hollows, steep hillsides and wetlands.

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Directions - Weather  - Historical Opportunities  - Recreation  - Trails  - Winter Report  - Education  - Calendar of Events  - Accessibility  - History  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

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 of PA 8, one mile north of the Borough of Rouseville.

Historical Opportunities

The primary purpose of Oil Creek State Park is to tell the story of the changing landscape. The early petroleum industry’s oil boom towns and important oil well sites are in contrast with clean trout streams and forested hillsides seen today throughout the park. The events of the exciting 1860s, the time of the original oil boom, receive special emphasis.

Train Station Visitor Center

Displays and programs are at Petroleum Centre, the focal point of the early oil boom. “A Contrast in Time” slideshow takes you on a six-minute journey through time. The din of pumping wells and shouting men in the 1860s contrasts with the rustling leaves in a gentle breeze in present day Oil Creek. The train station is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Visit the Train Station Visitor Center for historical displays, an exciting diorama and an interactive computer information center.

A train still chugs through the valley and stops at the Train Station in Petroleum Centre, just as it did over 100 years ago!

Historical Tableaus

These full-scale, three-dimensional landscapes contain buildings, machinery, equipment and materials that replicate the historic landscape. Similar to a movie set, the buildings are empty and the machinery does not work, but the tableaus give an idea of historic periods at Oil Creek.

Hunt Farm Tableau
This site has an engine house, various pumping jacks and stock tanks. From the 1940s to the 1960s, Ma-and-Pa oil operations drilled and pumped oil using a gas engine to pump several wells, with the wells supplying gas to run the engine. The long rod lines carried the power from the central engine to the distant wells.

Benninghoff Farm Tableau This site has six 35-foot tall oil derricks, an oil barge and an engine house. Oil operators thought that oil could only be drilled on flat, level terrain. In the autumn of 1865, the famous Ocean Well was sunk on the steep hillside. When the well began producing 300 barrels of oil a day, oil opportunists flocked to lease part of the farm and soon Mr. Benninghoff earned about $ 6,000 a day.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Self-guiding Trails  - Biking  - Picnicking  - Canoeing  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Cross-country Skiing  - Backpacking

Picnicking: Blood Farm Day Use Area and Egbert Farm Day Use Area are on the southern side of the park and are ideal settings for an enjoyable outing. The day use areas have picnic tables, charcoal grills, drinking fountains, restrooms, playfields, and picnic pavilions that may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 888-PA-PARKS for reservations. Picnic tables and restrooms are at key points along the bicycle trail. Make a reservation

Canoeing: Oil Creek offers a scenic float and is classed as a beginner’s creek under normal conditions. Water levels can change rapidly and canoeists should call the park office for current water conditions. Generally, the canoeing season is from March to June.

For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Fishing: Oil Creek is known for its bass and trout. Boughton Run, Toy Run and Jones Run provide brook trout fishing. Two delayed harvest-artificial lure only areas cover 2.5 miles of Oil Creek. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Hunting and Firearms: About 6,250 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are rabbit, deer, squirrel, turkey and ruffed grouse.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment must be kept in the owner's car, trailer or camp.

For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

Trails: Oil Creek State Park has hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and backpacking. Explore Trails for complete trail descriptions.

Environmental and Historical Education and Interpretation

The park offers a wide variety of environ-mental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.

Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the park office.

Programs are offered early spring through late fall. For more detailed information contact the park office.

Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.

Wildcat Hollow Outdoor Classroom: This area is for use by school groups. Near Petroleum Centre, the area contains a bus parking lot, picnic pavilion, restrooms, activity field and four theme trails. Hike the “wickedest hollow east of the Mississippi.” Choose from one to four trails including: Wetlands Trail (one mile); Geology Trail (one mile); Oil History Trail (0.25 mile); Forestry Trail (0.25 mile).

Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.

Access for People with Disabilities

Accessible picnic tables, parking spaces and restrooms are in the day use areas.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks:
888-PA-PARKS (voice)
888-537-7294 (TTY)
711 (AT&T Relay Services)

Volunteers Needed

Pennsylvania has natural beauty second to none. Much of that beauty is protected in public lands set aside for every citizen to enjoy. Imagine being able to say that you played a role in enhancing our bountiful natural lands.

Volunteers are needed. We have fun and complete satisfying projects that provide individuals, families, and community groups with the opportunity to utilize their talents and to make a real difference. Your support shows that the community really wants Oil Creek State Park to succeed.

• Over-The-Hill Gang: The “Over-The-Hill Gang” (OTHG) is an exceptional volunteer group. Since 1981 they have single-handedly established the Gerard Hiking Trail, a 37-mile varied terrain trail that winds through historic points of interest and natural features in Oil Creek State Park. Ray Gerard, for whom the trail was named, created and established the trail until his death in 1996. Duane Whitehall, current leader of the group, meets every Wednesday for regular trail maintenance. Projects include: Trail Maintenance, clearing trails, rerouting trails, repairing and building bridges and blazing trails.
• Small Trail Upkeep: A one-person project. You may clear brush, trim trees, weedwack; report large trees down or bridge repairs that are needed. You may work on any trails in the park which include the Gerard Trail, Blood Farm Interpretive Trail, Delzell Trail and the four trails in Wildcat Hollow
• Bluebird Monitors: Bluebird Monitors start around the first of March until the end of nesting season, usually by August. Clean boxes out early and then checking them for bluebirds. Once they have nested, keep track of them on at least a weekly basis. At the end of the season you would turn in your report and clean out the boxes. You also may build bluebird boxes to replace old ones and make repairs to boxes when needed.
• Landscaping: We have volunteers who maintain (weeding and watering) our flowerbeds and trim bushes around park office.
• General Office: We have volunteers who work at the office. They may greet visitors, copy brochures, type reports, arrange storeroom, etc.
• Litter Pickup: We have volunteers who pick up litter in Oil Creek State Park.
• EE&I: We have volunteers who help with school and public programs.
• Fish Stocking: We have volunteers who help with fish stocking.
• Train Station: We have volunteers who man our Petroleum Centre Train Station during weekends when the Oil Creek and Titusville Excursion Train runs through the valley. The volunteers answers questions, give out pamphlets and make sure the train station is kept open.
• Firewood: We have volunteers who cut and stack firewood.

Contact Stacey Marendt: 814-677-8076 or Park Office: 814-676-5915

Thank-you for considering Oil Creek State Park!

Explore for more information on volunteering for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions, please contact: Oil Region Alliance. www.oilregion.org/tourism.html

The Drake Well Museum: The museum is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and is at the north end of Oil Creek State Park near Titusville. The museum presents a full-size replica of the engine and derrick over this early oil well, plus outstanding exhibits about Pennsylvania oil country. www.drakewell.org

Pithole: Within six miles of Oil Creek Valley is Pithole, America’s largest oil boom town. Oil was discovered in Pithole in January 1865. By September 1865, Pithole had grown into a city of 15,000. For information on Drake Well and Pithole, contact: Drake Well Museum, 814-827-4888, www.drakewell.org.

Excursion Train: The Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad operates an excursion train on weekends and other dates from May through October. The 26-mile round trip travels through Oil Creek State Park from Titusville to Rynd Farm. Call OC&T RR at 814-676-1733 for reservations and information. www.octrr.org

In an Emergency

Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.
First aid is available at the Petroleum Centre park office and Drake Well Museum.

Nearest Hospitals:

UPMC Northwest
100 Fairfield Drive
Seneca, PA 16301
814-676-7600

Titusville Area Hospital
406 West Oak Street
Titusville, PA 16354
814-827-1851

For More Information Contact

Oil Creek State Park
305 State Park Road
Oil City, PA 16301-9733
814-676-5915
Manager: Barrett Clark

E-mail: oilcreeksp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.

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