Coal and Corn (Day Trip)
Travel time without stops is 3 ½ hours. It is approximately 98 miles when traveled as outlined.
From Exit 120 of I-80 travel SR 879 West towards Curwensville. The route travels along sections of the West Branch Susquehanna River, with access points to parking at Rails to Trails (4.8 M and 7.6 M). Scenic views and photo opportunities abound along Rails to Trails.
Just after the first stoplight and underpass in Curwensville, the Strawberry Tree will be on the left. They have a variety of gift items and local history information.
At the second light, turn left. Proceed South on SR 453 1.1 M to Irvin Park. It’s a great break and photo opportunity, seated along the banks of the West Branch.
Continuing south on SR 453, 1/2 M south will be a plaque for Curwensville Dam and a view of Curwensville Lake Recreation Area. Note: This is not the park entrance. Continue another 1.5 M and turn right on Lake Drive to go to the park. Turning at that intersection will bring you to Bloomington Cemetery, which has many Civil War era headstones. CLRA has boating, picnicking, camping, scenic views, and birding and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Bressler’s Bait and More is on the right as you proceed to CLRA.
Returning to SR 453, turn right, passing the Curwensville Dam Inn. After about 4 miles, farm and woodland views provide photo opportunities.
Bloody Knox Historical Site and Museum is on the left as you enter Kellytown, and from there Madera is another 6.2 M, with the road winding along Clearfield Creek for much of the way. There are pull-offs at several points.
Upon reaching the intersection with SR 53, turn right. (You may wish to take a detour to the left and see the Veterans Memorial and interesting old homes on some of the side streets). Turn left at the intersection of SR 729 S in Glen Hope. Proceed 2.3 M to Hegarty’s Mansion. For more information about this historic site, call 814- 672-3355.
Turn right at Hegarty’s Mansion and travel 0.8 M, where you will see a Christmas Tree farm and more panoramic views. At the next main intersection (2.5 M) go straight through. At the next intersection, turn right on Dillon Road. There are plenty of photographs waiting to be taken along this highway. Dillon Road T’s into SR53. Turn right and travel 1 M to Coalport’s Historic District. Turn right at the sign for the Coalport Coal Museum, and then left on Forest Street. The museum will be on the right.
Continue on Forest Street. It will jut right and then left, until you come to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. Go straight through (you are again on SR 53N).
After you pass Regal Mart and Clearfield Creek, you will be in Irvona. Turn left at the stop sign onto Rose St. Go 1.7 M and turn left on Black Elk Road. At the intersection of Black Elk and Punkin Ridge Roads (3 M), turn right.
Keystone South Golf Club will be ¼ M ahead. Some long-distance scenic views can be seen to your right just after Rabbit Hill. Travel one more mile and you will be entering some of the most beautiful woodlands in Appalachia.
Reaching LaJose Road, turn left, then right at Cecil Hurd Highway (0.3 M). The historic LaJose Hotel will be on your left. Continue to Mahaffey (3.3M). Take a break at the Feed Store or at the Starlight. Both have homestyle cooking the area is well-known for. Turn right at the intersection of US 36 and US 219 N.
There is a pull off 0.3 M ahead with a view of the West Branch. Mahaffey Camp and more spectacular river views are another 0.6 M ahead. Camping is available at Chest Falls Campground (1.7 M).
Continue on 219 N to Curry Run and Bells Landing (3.1M). Continue towards Grampian. Elaine and Friends Gift Shop is on the right. Go straight at the Grampian light on SR 879E. Aletta’s Farm Market will be on the left (3.4M), and is a great place to enjoy a hand-dipped Hershey’s Ice Cream cone. Curwensville is less than 1 M ahead. At the first light, those enjoying wineries may turn left on Filbert Street and go to Bailey Road. Turn right and go to Starr Hill Winery; 1.1 M from the turn. For winery info call 814-236-0910 or 814-236-0913.
Once back in downtown Curwensville, follow SR879 E back to Clearfield.
Gas: Clearfield, Glen Hope, Coalport, Mahaffey, Bell’s Landing, Grampian.
Food: Clearfield, Curwensville, Madera, Glen Hope, Coalport, La Jose, Mahaffey, Bells Landing, Grampian.
Emergency Medical Assistance: Clearfield Hospital, 814-765-5341 Calling 911 is recommended to obtain EMS assistance in all other areas.
Lodging: Clearfield, Coalport, Mahaffey
Camping: Curwensville, Mahaffey
Over and Around the Mountain (Day Trip)
Travel is approximately 40 miles, and can take 11/2 hours to 2 days, depending on length of stops and personal interest. Outdoor photo opportunities are spectacular in northern Clearfield County, and this tour provides shutterbugs with lots of great shots to choose from!
From Exit 111 of I-80, proceed 1.4 M N on SR 153, following signs to SB Elliot State Park. Turn right and make a second fast right to enter the park, or, to visit Panther Rocks go straight on 4-Mile Road after turning.
Visitors to Elliott State Park can learn about the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps and its role at Parker Dam and S.B. Elliott State Parks at Elliott’s Welcome Center, housed in one of the CCC constructed buildings.
After returning to SR 153, proceed N another 1.7 miles to Hilltop House, a one-of-a-kind gift and craft shop.
Parker Dam State Park is 2.7 M ahead.
Visitors can picnic, fish, swim, camp, hike or just relax at Parker Dam.
After leaving Parker Dam, travel N for 2.2 M. B-Bar-M Campground is on the left.
Turn left at the stoplight in Penfield, and travel on SR 255 towards DuBois.
Camp Mountain Run, operated by the Bucktail Council of the Boy Scouts of America, will be on the right 1.5 M ahead.
Green Ridge Drive-In is another 3.4 M. and Sabula Lake is 2.3 M past the drive-in.
Treasure Lake will be on the right 1.3 M ahead. The public is welcome to visit Treasure Lake’s Silver and Gold Golf Courses, Lake View Lodge, or attend any of the community events held throughout the year. Cabin and condo rentals are also available year-round.
Just after Treasure Lake is Exit 101 of I-80, and DuBois Mall after that on the left. Visitor Information is available at the DuBois Community Booth and Visitor Center. Continue approximately 2 miles on SR 255, not turning, to reach DuBois Harley Davidson. It will be on the left. Along the way you will pass Penn State University DuBois Campus.
From DuBois Harley Davidson, reverse direction and return on SR 255. Turn right at the 5th stoplight (Shaffer Road). You will pass DuBois Mall again, but on a different side. At the second stoplight, turn left and head toward Rockton/ Clearfield.
Once arriving in Rockton, turn left to go toward Clearfield.
At approx. 1.4 M there will be room to pull off and take some great pictures of Anderson Creek.
Over the Mountain will be a short distance ahead on the right.
At the intersection with US 322/ SR 153, turn right if you wish to visit Clearfield.
If you liked one of the campgrounds on the earlier part of the drive and plan to spend the night, turn left. A mile ahead brings you back to where you started.
Those driving toward Clearfield will see spectacular views off to the right as you come down the mountain into town. Use caution when pulling off and on the highway.
Central Pa Speedway can be reached from this stretch of US 322, as can the Clearfield Driving Park, Clearfield Hospital, and downtown points of interest. To return to SR 879 and I-80, follow US 322 to the first light in Clearfield. Turn left, and travel along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River to the next stoplight. Turn left to return to I-80 and nearby amenities.
Gas: Clearfield, DuBois, Penfield Food: Clearfield, DuBois, Penfield, Rockton
Emergency Medical Assistance: DuBois Regional Medical Center, 814-371-2200; Clearfield Hospital, 814-765-534. Calling 911 for emergencies in outlying areas is recommended.
Lodging: Clearfield, DuBois
Camping and cabins: Penfield area, Clearfield, DuBois
