Hiking at Raccoon Creek State Park
44 miles
The park offers a wide variety of hiking options to meet the needs of the casual day hiker, as well as the overnight backpacker looking for a challenge within a wilderness setting, and also offers biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.
All visitors using the park trail system should read the trail rules and usage information before hiking.
Raccoon Creek State Park Trail Map (PDF)
Trail Definitions
Difficulty Ratings
Easiest -- For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles.
More Difficult -- For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface.
Most Difficult -- For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe.
Trail Route Type
Loop -- Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.
Out-and-back -- Start and end at a trailhead and follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route.
Point-to-point -- Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle.
Connector -- Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead.
Appaloosa Trail
3.0 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
The trail winds along rolling forested hills and passes an old homestead and spring house. Connector trails lead to the Pioneer Group Tenting Area and backpacking campsites.
Appaloosa Spur Trail
0.7 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail connects the equestrian trailhead parking lot to the Appaloosa Trail.
Beach Trail
0.3 mile | Most difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches
This steep trail connects the D Loop of the campground to the beach and swimming area of Raccoon Lake.
Buckskin Trail
1.0 mile | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none
This loop trail begins and ends on Nichol Road and winds through a mixed forest of evergreens and deciduous trees.
Camp Trail
1.5 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | White blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
A favorite trail for wildlife and waterfowl viewing along the parks upper lake and wetlands. The trail ends at the intersection with Pinto Loop Trail.
Cross-country Ski Trail
2.1 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | White blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail travels through pine forest and small meadows.
Forest Trail
6.2 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | White blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking
Trailhead amenities: none
Trail transects several stream valleys that feed Raccoon Lake and passes through an old stone quarry and homestead sites. High ridges offer scenic views of the Lake and valleys. Diverse tree species create an exceptional fall foliage display.
Heritage Trail
9.5 miles | Most difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking
Trailhead amenities: none
The longest trail in the park, Heritage Trail passes through the property and old homesteads of the first settlers to the area. Sections of the trail follow old wagon roads, the historic Frankfort Mineral Springs, and evergreen tree plantations planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's.
Heron Trail
0.5 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This short trail connects Wetlands Trail to Nichol Road by the intersection with Palomino Trail. At the junction with Wetland Trail, look for waterfowl and other wetland animals near Upper Lake.
Lake Trail
1.9 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
The trail follows an old road along Traverse Creek which leads to Raccoon Lake on the North Shore opposite the beach area. During the 1800's a gristmill, stone spring house and several homesteads were along Traverse Creek and the Trail.
Mineral Springs Loop Trail
1.2 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | White blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
The trail passes through one of the parks historical areas once known for the healing qualities of its mineral water. Remnants of the 1800's Frankfort Mineral Springs Resort are located above the springs and waterfall area.
Nichol Road
3.5 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
This trail serves as the gateway to most of trails in the western section of the park. The section from Doak Field to Pioneer Road is considered a trail since it is rougher than the road sections. Several loops of varying lengths can be created using Nichol Road and connecting Trails.
Palomino Trail
1.1 miles | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail follows an old roadbed. It begins and ends on Nichol Road.
Pinto Loop Trail
1.7 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
This wide trails has sections that follow an old wagon road through small forest meadows.
Upland Trail
0.6 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This short trail begins across from the park office and connects to the Mineral Springs Loop Trail.
Valley Trail
1.1 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Cut in along a steep section of Traverse Valley, the trail passes through an open hardwood forest and ends at the Beach Trail above the Raccoon Lake beach area and below the Campground.
Wetlands Trail
1.2 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail follows the north shore of the Upper Lake and wetlands area then cuts up the ridge paralleling the Traverse Valley. The wetland habitat along the trail is one of the best areas in the park for observing wildlife like beaver, muskrats, turtles, waterfowl and songbirds. The trail connects to Nichol Road and Cabin Road which can be used to create a loop hike.
Art Witt Trail
0.26 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This short, fern-lined trail meanders through a pine forest at the entrance of the Wildflower Reserve. This trail is dedicated to Art Witt, the first person to complete 10,000 volunteer hours in Pennsylvania state parks.
Audubon Trail
0.44 mile | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | White blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Audubon Trail is elevated high above the flowing waters of Raccoon Creek, with many spots to stop and admire the valley below. During spring, this is a good trail for birding and in autumn it is great for fall foliage. One end of the trail intersects Max Henrici, Jennings, and Old Field trails.
Beaver Trail
0.22 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Purple blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Beaver Trail passes through an American sycamore forest along the banks of Raccoon Creek with several nice areas to view wildlife.
Esther Allen Trail
0.12 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This short trail connects Old Wagon Road with Jennings Trail. It honors Esther Allen for her volunteer work in educating park visitors about the botanical treasures of the Wildflower Reserve.
Hickory Trail
0.16 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Pink blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Much of this trail follows along the bank of Raccoon Creek. There is a very short trail spur that leads to a scenic spot along the creek. This trail honors the Hickory Club, an outdoor association, which preserved a large section of the present-day Wildflower Reserve.
Jennings Trail
1.54 mile | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
This is the longest trail in the Wildflower Reserve. It travels past the historic Hungerford Cabin, vernal pools, forested banks along Raccoon Creek, spectacular diversity of wildflowers, fall foliage, and many locations for wildlife and birding observations. The trail honors botanist, O. E. Jennings, for his contributions to the Wildflower Reserve.
Max Henrici Trail
0.51 mile | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail allows hikers to explore a forested valley of the reserve featuring an abundance of ferns. The eastern section is covered by wildflowers in the spring. This trail honors Max Henrici, who strongly advocated the preservation of the reserve and played a leading role in the development of the trail system in the Wildflower Reserve.
Meadow Trail
0.36 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Light green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail begins and ends in a hardwood forest with a large meadow in the middle. In August and September, the meadow is filled with late summer wildflowers. It is also a great location for watching butterflies and hummingbird moths.
Old Field Trail
0.65 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail traverses an old field undergoing forest succession and has several sections that follow the banks of Raccoon Creek. Old Field Trail connects with Max Henrici Trail on both ends.
Old Wagon Road
0.19 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Light blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: benches
This short trail descends to the floodplain along Raccoon Creek from the Interpretive Center. It connects to Esther Allen Trail and ends at Jennings Trail. It features lovely fall foliage and spring wildflowers.