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Venango County

Petroleum Center – Cow Run Shelter loop from Petroleum Center

Routes

Running trails & routes

United States

Pennsylvania

Venango County

Petroleum Center – Cow Run Shelter loop from Petroleum Center

Hard

3.2

(19)

runners

Petroleum Center – Cow Run Shelter loop from Petroleum Center

02:57

22.7km

540m

Running

Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 13, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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290 m

Petroleum Center

Highlight • Historical Site

At the southern trailhead of the Gerard Hiking Trail, the historic site of Petroleum Center marks what was once a bustling 19th‑century oil boomtown. Today, hikers can explore a self-guided interpretive trail featuring a boardwalk, informative signs, and the only visible remnant—a set of bank steps—from the town’s heyday.

The trail winds through a wooded gorge, crosses Oil Creek via a pedestrian bridge, and passes modern replicas of oil derricks and foundations scattered across the hillside.

Interpretive panels along the route connect you with stories of early oil entrepreneurs, rise‑and‑fall boomtown life, and the transformation of this valley into a forested state park. Restrooms, water access, and a visitor center are also available at the park office.

Tip by

2.52 km

Petroleum heritage overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

From this ridgeline viewpoint, hikers can spot a series of replica oil derricks tucked into the treeline across the valley. These reconstructions represent real 19th-century oil ventures like Great Lakes Petroleum and Ayers & Ashenhurst, a nod to the boomtown era that once defined this landscape. It’s a rare and fascinating blend of nature and history—quiet forested hills now reclaiming a place that helped ignite the world’s first oil rush.

Tip by

6.76 km

Ridgeline overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

This peaceful spot offers a sweeping ridgeline view across the forested slopes of Oil Creek State Park. From here, you can look out toward the opposing hillside, where a patchwork of pine and deciduous trees frames the landscape. Especially stunning in the morning light, it’s a great place to pause, catch your breath, and appreciate the rolling terrain that defines this section of the Gerard Trail.

Tip by

7.58 km

Cow Run Shelter

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Cow Run Shelter is one of two designated overnight areas along the Gerard Hiking Trail. It features tent sites and 6 Adirondack-style shelters, each equipped with a fireplace. The site includes seasonal water access and restrooms, and camping is only permitted in designated areas. Nestled deep in Oil Creek State Park, it’s a quiet, forested spot perfect for resting after a long day’s hike. Reservations are required in advance—check the website for details and booking instructions: elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1743343&DocName=OICR_ReservationInstructions.pdf

Tip by

18.3 km