Hiking at Oil Creek State Park

Mountain bikes and horses are prohibited on hiking trails.

If you find yourself lost, travel downhill to the bicycle trail or Oil Creek and follow either upstream to Drake Well or downstream to the park office at Petroleum Centre.

The railroad running along Oil Creek is an active line. Caution: Stay off of the tracks at all times.

Blood Farm Interpretive Trail

0.5 mile

Spend 30 minutes walking through the 440-acre Blood Farm oil lease. This farm produced more oil than all of the other farms in the oil region in 1861 and 1862. Learn about 15 years of frantic drilling, gushing oil, and devastating fires. Interpretive signs throughout the trail will guide your tour.

Delzell Trail

0.7 mile

Along the 0.7-mile long trail can be seen changes that have happened throughout the valley.

Petroleum Centre Walking Tour

0.5 mile

Petroleum Centre flourished from 1863 to 1870 on its twin livelihoods of oil and entertainment. This company town had no government, law enforcement, sanitation, or public works. It was reputed to the “wickedest town east of the Mississippi!” Start at the Petroleum Centre Amphitheater for this 45-minute self-guiding tour.

Wildcat Hollow Trails

Hike the “wickedest hollow east of the Mississippi!” on these short, easy hiking trails.

Geology Trail

1 mile

Large glacial boulders and beautiful views can be explored while wondering this scenic trail.

Forestry Trail

0.8 mile

A wide variety of hard- and softwood trees can be viewed along this trail. Many trees are well over 100 years old.

Oil History Trail

0.25 mile

Relics from the oil boom can still be found along this quiet walk, including a rare “Wolf Rig.”

Wetland Trail

0.8 mile

Enjoy a relaxing stroll around one of Oil Creeks wetland areas. A wide variety of interesting plant and animal species call this area home.

Gerard Hiking Trail

36 miles

This 36-mile long trail encompasses the entire park. The main trail is marked with yellow paint blazes.

For shorter day hikes, use the five connecting loops blazed in white.

Parking areas are available at several access points.

Scenic vistas, waterfalls, and historic sites are prevalent along the trail.

Two overnight hike-in shelter areas (Cow Run and Wolfkiel Run) are along the trail. Each area contains tent sites, six Adirondack-style shelters with fireplaces, restrooms, and seasonal water supply. A fee and reservations are mandatory for use of these areas and overnight usage is limited to one night per shelter site.

Fires are only permitted in camp stoves, fireplaces, or designated locations and must be extinguished when unattended. Standing timber and shrubs must not be defaced. Camping is permitted in shelter areas only. Other special regulations pertain to these areas. Contact the park office for further information.