Backpacking the Gerard Trail: Three Days Through Oil Creek’s History and Beauty

This spring I set out with a few friends, Dragon Roams, Adam Z, and DB, to tackle the Gerard Trail. It is a 36 mile backpacking loop that winds through Oil Creek State Park in western Pennsylvania. We spread the hike over three days. The trail gave us the usual mix of forests, climbs, and creeks, but it also dropped us right into the heart of Pennsylvania’s oil boom history.

Day One: From Blood Farm to Cow Run

We started under blue skies even though the forecast had been calling for rain. My pack weighed in at 27 pounds, heavier than I wanted, but spirits were high as we followed the trail north. The path wound through hardwoods and hemlocks, with bursts of green showing that spring had finally taken hold.

Unlike most Pennsylvania backpacking routes, the Gerard Trail threads right through history. We kept coming across old oil equipment, wooden barrels, and rusting machinery. These are reminders that this was the birthplace of America’s first commercial oil well. At one point we stumbled across a sturdy old pump house. The gears and pulleys were still recognizable, like a ghost of industry hidden in the woods.

By afternoon, we detoured into Petroleum Centre, once a booming oil town and now nothing more than foundations and interpretive signs. Standing on Washington Street and looking at photos of the saloons, banks, and hotels that used to be there, it was easy to imagine the noise and chaos of the 1800s.

That night we settled into the Cow Run shelter area. With bear boxes, split firewood, privies, and sturdy Adirondack style shelters, it felt almost luxurious compared to the rough camping you find in state forests. I strung up my hammock and drifted off to sleep, already thinking about the long haul that waited for us the next day.

Day Two: The Long Push to Wolfkiel Run

Sixteen miles lay between us and Wolfkiel Run Shelter, the biggest day of the trip. We were up before 7:00 a.m., pulling food from the bear boxes and fueling up for the miles ahead.

The highlight of the day came at Plumb Dungeon Falls, a hidden cascade tucked into a steep ravine. Later, we passed Boughton Falls, smaller but just as peaceful, before working our way toward the Drake Well Museum, the site of Edwin Drake’s famous 1859 oil strike.

The trail was a mix of ridge walks, rhododendron tunnels, and smooth cruising sections where we could knock out some serious miles. The maintenance here is excellent. Bridges, boardwalks, and clear paths made progress steady and reliable. Still, the distance wore on us. By the time we crossed to the western side of Oil Creek, feet were sore and packs felt twice as heavy.

We limped into Wolfkiel Run Shelter after more than 14 miles, shorter than the map had promised but still a punishing day. Dinner turned into a “clear out the food bag” event, and we all collapsed into our hammocks early. Tomorrow would be the final push.

Day Three: Rain, Mud, and the Finish

The forecasted rain finally arrived. It caught us within minutes of leaving camp. Rain jackets went on, the humidity climbed, and the trail turned slick. Long climbs burned the calves, and a muddy ascent out of Petroleum Centre tested everyone’s patience. Each step forward slid half a step back.

There were still moments of magic though. Ridge walks with breezes cutting the humidity. Quiet waterfalls spilling down rock faces. The steady rhythm of boots on soaked ground. Even with water dripping down my nose I felt lucky to be out there.

The final miles wound past more oil relics, old farms, and small cemeteries before spitting us out at Blood Farm, our starting point. Exhausted, mud caked, and sore, we still agreed on one thing. The Gerard Trail had been an incredible experience.

Final Thoughts

Backpacking the Gerard Trail is unlike any other hike in Pennsylvania. You get the forests, streams, and wildlife, but you also walk straight through the birthplace of the oil industry. Ghost towns, relics, and history are scattered along the path. Add in well maintained campsites with amenities that feel almost indulgent and you have a loop that is as rewarding as it is unique.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Maybe even in the opposite direction next time.

If you are looking for a backpacking trip that combines natural beauty with living history, the Gerard Trail should be on your list. Just bring strong legs, lighter shoes than mine, and be ready for a little mud.