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The Trails at Jakes Rocks, located in the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County, Pennsylvania, has been named the 2024 Trail of the Year by state officials to highlight Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Since its opening in 2016, the trail system has attracted 25,000 users annually and generated $9 million in tourism spending, primarily serving mountain bikers but also accommodating hiking, running, and cross-country skiing. This recognition is part of a broader effort by the state, under Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration, to boost economic development through outdoor recreation, including the formation of the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation and the Outdoor Business Alliance.
Ask a mountain biker in Pennsylvania where their favorite riding spot is, and chances are they’ll say “Jakes.”
“Any Pennsylvania mountain biker, if you ask him, ‘Hey, have you been to Jakes?’ and they have been there, they’ll say, ‘Oh yeah, it’s fantastic,’” said Nathan Reigner, an avid mountain biker and the state’s first director of outdoor recreation.
“If they haven’t been there, they’ll tell you it’s at the top of their bucket list,” Reigner added.
Jakes refers to the Trails at Jakes Rocks, a 35-mile trail system in the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County, Pennsylvania. This year, state officials named it the Trail of the Year, to highlight Warren County’s trails and the state’s outdoor activities.
Officials and community leaders gathered in September to celebrate.
“We proudly celebrate the 2024 Trail of the Year, the Trails at Jakes Rocks, for the health and wellness opportunities it offers, and the economic impact it brings to Warren County,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in a Sept. 6 press release. “We expect more people hiking, biking, and running on these trails, which we hope will be gateways to adventures in the Allegheny National Forest.”
The Trails at Jakes Rocks opened in 2016, attracting 25,000 users annually and generating $9 million in tourism spending according to the department. While primarily for mountain biking, the trails also accommodate hiking, running, and cross-country skiing.
“Jakes has attracted mountain bikers from across Pennsylvania,” Reigner said. Now, officials aim to raise awareness among the general public, connecting Pennsylvanians with the state’s trail system, which spans over 12,000 miles, and boosting rural economic activity.
Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry president Jim Decker said in a press release that since the Trail of the Year designation, users at Jakes Rocks have increased by 14% in 2024 compared to 2023.
“The Trails at Jakes Rocks have exceeded our expectations,” Decker said when the trail was selected in January. “We celebrate the catalyst that the Trails at Jakes Rocks has provided, sharing our region’s attributes with a broader audience.”
Reigner noted that promoting the Trails at Jakes Rocks can bolster local economic development. “It really elevates the quality-of-life impact and provides a strong tool for business recruiters,” he said.
Connecting residents with public lands can drive economic growth, as seen in western North Carolina and the Wasatch Front region in Utah. “By stimulating recreation-based economies with trails like Jakes, we create local business opportunities,” Reigner said.
The growth in Warren County’s trails aligns with Gov. Josh Shapiro’s efforts to boost support for outdoor activities. In 2023, the state launched the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation and in 2024, Shapiro formed the Outdoor Business Alliance.
“The new economic strategy aims not only for recreational benefits but also for economic development,” Reigner said.
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