LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST

This National Forest enhances Pennsylvania's Plateau and offers four-season outdoor recreation. For example, the Twin Lakes and Loleta Recreation Areas; the Laurel Mill Cross-County Ski and Hiking Area traveling through the Clarion River Semi-Primitive Area; and the Timberline A.T.V. Trail. The Ridgway Reservoir augments the recreational opportunities. The Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the principle of multiple use management of the nation's forest resources for sustained yields of wood, water, forage, wildlife, and recreation. Through forestry research, cooperation with the state and private forest owners, and management of the National Forests and National Grasslands, it strives - as directed by Congress - to provide increasingly greater service to a growing nation.

BENEDICTINE CONVENT  The first foundation of Benedictine Women in the United States was established in St. Marys in 1852. Welcome to the quiet monastery grounds for private individual or group retreats.

DECKER'S CHAPEL  One of the smallest churches in the U.S., located about 3 miles from the center of St. Marys on Route 255. Visitors are welcome at any time.

Recreation abounds in Elk County. There are many trails for HIKING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, SNOWMOBILING, A.T.V. RIDING and MOUNTAIN BIKING; an abundance of FISHING streams; acres of HUNTING (deer, bear, turkey, ruffed grouse).

Camping is available throughout the Allegheny National Forest and the Elk State Forest. Campgrounds include Twin Lakes Recreation Area and Loleta Recreation Area, and East Branch Lake. You may camp almost anywhere on the two forests. Camping is NOT allowed on State Game Lands,

FISHING, BOATING, and WATER-SKIING are very popular on East Branch Lake. It is a small lake (6 miles long) with beautiful forested hills rising on both sides of the lake. It is so peaceful to take your boat back into one of the coves and put out a fishing line or have a picnic. Boat ramps are located at both ends of the lake.

CANOE on the wild, beautiful Clarion River with easy access right off Main Street at the Clarion River Bridge in Ridgway, the launch area at Portland Mill's, Arroyo or Belltown. Canoes may be rented at Love's Canoe Rental in Ridgway and Belltown Canoe rental at Belltown. Join the thousands who enjoy the river each year!

GOLF at Bavarian Hills Golf Course, 18-hole public golf course.

MEMORIAL PARK  This is St. Mary's biggest park. It offers many different recreational opportunities. An enormous swimming pool with sliding boards, diving boards, and a brand new looping water slide is one of the parks main attractions.

Located in St. Marys, the brewery welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. 'til noon for tours. Sorry, no children under 12. A fascinating journey through the process of making an all natural beer with no preservatives.

THE QUEEN OF THE HERD  Located at the Ayrshire Dairy Farm on the Old Kersey Road, near St. Marys, the largest fiberglass cow in the world, measures over 15 ft. high, 20 ft. long, 5 ft. wide, and weighs over 1200 pounds.

The Winery at Wilcox located off Rt. 219 on Mefferts Run Road in Wilcox. Mike and Carol Williams, owners, welcome visitors for tours of the rustic, distinctive, charming building and tasting of "Wines From Dreams And Memories".

CREATIVE PLAYLAND  This children's dream come true was just recently constructed about four years ago. This play area was made possible through the hard work and great efforts of the citizens of St. Marys. It is located at Memorial Park.