Click Here for video + photos from the event.
“We’re honored to celebrate the Pine Creek Rail Trail as Pennsylvania’s 2026 Trail of the Year and to stand with the community leaders whose vision and commitment have shaped the trail into the remarkable destination it is today,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “This recognition elevates the exceptional outdoor experiences found along this trail throughout the Pennsylvania Wilds, and helps bolster local businesses while delivering meaningful economic, environmental, and recreational benefits across the region.”
The Pine Creek Rail Trail (PCRT) traces a historic corridor first used by the Iroquois Nation and later developed as a railroad in the late 19th century.
After rail service ended in 1988, the corridor was transformed into a 62-mile non-motorized trail completed between 1995 and 2007, stretching from Jersey Shore to Wellsboro Junction.
Today, the nationally recognized trail attracts more than 44,000 users annually and generates more than $5 million in local economic impact.
It serves as a major recreational and tourism asset within the Pennsylvania Wilds, Route 6 Heritage Corridor and the Lumber Heritage Region.
Building on that success, the Pine Creek Rail Trail Extension, also known as the Marsh Creek Greenway closed a critical 3.2-mile gap by connecting the trail’s former northern terminus directly to downtown Wellsboro.
DCNR, the Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Tioga County, and volunteers worked together to complete the project, supported by $3.1 million from DCNR and $2.5 million from PennDOT.
The extension includes a new trailhead with a visitor center and amenities, as well as a safe downtown connector for pedestrians and cyclists, fully integrating Wellsboro into the statewide trail network and the Pennsylvania Wilds system.
The Shapiro Administration marked the extension’s completion, which closed the fifth Top 10 Trail Gap under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership.
“PennDOT’s mission to maintain and grow a transportation system that serves all Pennsylvanians includes making critical connections among communities,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Every day, the Shapiro Administration is collaborating on and investing in projects like this – expanding transportation options and improving quality of life.”
PennDOT’s investment came from the state Multimodal Transportation Fund and awarding federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside funding.
“On behalf of the Tioga County Board of Commissioners, it is an honor to come together today and celebrate this incredible recognition and the hard work of the many organizations, partners and individuals who made it possible,” said Tioga County Commissioners Marc Rice, Sam VanLoon, and Shane Nickerson.
“Being named Pennsylvania’s Trail of the Year puts Tioga County on the map and gives us an exciting opportunity to showcase our community, grow tourism and bring new economic activity to our local businesses.
“Outdoor recreation is quickly becoming a new front door to Tioga County, connecting visitors to our downtowns, businesses and everything that makes this such a special place to live and visit.
“We are proud of how far our trail community has come, but we are even more excited about what comes next. Working together through the Tioga County Trail Authority and with our many community partners, we look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to expand outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Tioga County.”
The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee designates the Trail of the Year to help build enthusiasm and support for trails across the state, and to raise public awareness about the value of Pennsylvania’s land and water trail network.
Pennsylvania continues its tradition of being a leader in trail development by providing its residents and visitors with more than 14,000 miles of trails.
The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee is charged with implementing the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Trails Strategic Plan to develop a statewide land and water trail network to facilitate recreation, transportation, and healthy lifestyles for all.
The 20-member DCNR-appointed committee represents both motorized and non-motorized trail users and advises the Commonwealth on the use of state and federal trail funding.
Click Here for the DCNR announcement. Click Here for video + photos
Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.
Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.
For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website. Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter.
Related Articles This Week:
-- DCNR To Update Mineral Extraction Policy On Lands It Owns In Response To Interest In Extracting Minerals, Other Than Oil & Gas [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On New PA General Energy Application For 3.9 Mile Long Access Road, Staging Area To Support Shale Gas Development In Loyalsock State Forest In Lycoming County [PaEN]
-- DCNR: Pine Creek Rail Trail Honored As Pennsylvania’s 2026 Trail Of The Year During Special Event In Tioga County [PaEN]
-- PA Healthy Lands Week Sept. 26-Oct. 4: Bedford County Volunteers Will Turn Their Passion Into Action With Stewardship Activities All Week [PaEN]
-- DCNR Completes $5.2 Million In Improvements At Cherry Springs State Park In Potter County, Protecting Dark Skies, Advancing Sustainable Infrastructure On Public Lands [Video + Photos From Event]
-- DCNR Grants: North Pocono Trail Opens; ATV/Snowmobile Grants; Gettysburg Inner Loop; Nov. 5 Applicant Webinar
-- DCNR Names Eric Probert District Forester, Loyalsock State Forest In Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan Counties
-- PA Environmental Council Now Accepting Applications For PA Water Trail Mini-Grants; Applicant Webinar Oct. 5 [PaEN]
-- PA Wilds Cooperative: Explore Regional Products, Services, Branded Goods And Local Shops In 2026 PA Wilds Buyer's Guide [PaEN]
-- PA Wilds Center 2026 Resources Guide Now Available For Businesses Looking For Grants, Technical Assistance, Marketing And Other Services To Grow Their Operations In The PA Wilds
-- Outdoor Business Alliance Of PA: Sept. 28 Webinar On Engaging With Your Tourism Promotion Agency + Chamber Of Commerce, Noon to 1:00 p.m.
NewsClips:
-- Morning Call: PA Fall Foliage Forecast 2026: When Will Leaves Change In Lehigh Valley?
-- TribLive: Leaf Colors ‘Leaning Toward The Better Side’ As Fall Viewing Season Arrives
-- PennLive: When Will Peak Season For Fall Foliage Arrive?
-- Observer-Reporter: Montour, Panhandle Touted As Key Segments Of Great American Rail Trail
-- Reading Eagle: Reading Moves Ahead With $4.5 Million Hillside Splash Park
-- TribLive: Accessible, Paved Trail Opens At Settlers Cabin Park In Allegheny County
-- TribLive: Pittsburgh Reaches Tentative Deal To Expand Three Rivers Heritage Trail
-- TribLive: Environmentalists Work To Restore Fern Hollow Ecosystem After Bridge Collapse In Frick Park
-- Centre Daily Times: Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park Listed For $34 Million, New Owners Sought To ‘Continue The Legacy’
-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: Latest Highlights From Fall Raptor Migration; Upcoming Experiences On The Mountain
[Posted: September 26, 2026] PA Environment Digest
