Pennsylvania's Serene Borough Overlooking The Clarion River Is A Cool College Town With A Buzzing Main Street

With its historic college campus, glistening riverside, and annual Autumn Leaf Festival, the town of Clarion has all the dreamy fall elements of a "Gilmore Girls" episode. Away from the big city hustle and bustle of neighboring Pittsburgh, this serene borough is nested in the quiet, forested corner of Northern Pennsylvania which faces Lake Erie. Though not directly on the lake, the town owes its year-round waterside enchantment to the Clarion River, and has heaps of natural trails to connect it to the wilderness of this bewitching, unspoiled area.

Head to the riotous Autumn Leaf Festival at the end of October and you will see the town come to life, with a carnival, competitions, food stalls, and events coinciding with WestPenn's homecoming. While the festival time is as busy as Clarion gets in the year, if you visit this sleepy town during any other period, you will be able to make the most of its trails, college vibes, and lively main street without the crowds.

With its Victorian main street and eclectic shops perfect for vintage lovers, Brooksville is a must-see, and is easily reachable on the way, as it is only 16 miles away from Clarion. Even if you are planning to visit Pennsylvania's second city, Pittsburgh, and hunting for its under-the-radar gems like Aspinwall, the Allegheny river suburb with a vibrant downtown, that's only about 70 miles — or under an hour and a half drive — from Clarion.

Take a stroll in Clarion today and you will immediately notice its personality is tightly tied to its college town status. Pennsylvania Western University has lived on these grounds for over 100 years, landing its spot in an already established seminary town with a rich history in teaching that goes back to the 1850s. Forget about clusters of students visiting during Welcome Weekend: the town acts as an open-air campus year-round and is packed with campus visits, 'twilight tours,' and even art exhibits by students shown across town. 

Stepping away from the historic campus, Clarion's lively artery, Main Street, has loads to offer visitors, from vintage emporiums to casual eateries. Step into County Seat for classic American diner fare before visiting Clarion River Brewing Company smack in the middle of Main Street. And if you are just after a cup of coffee with laid-back surroundings, take a seat inside Michelle's Coffee, whose timeless exterior hides a comfy cafe inside, decorated with artworks on display on the walls.

After you have explored the town boundaries, it is worth exploring Clarion as a top nature town in the Pennsylvania Wilds region. The area boasts thousands of acres of unspoiled forests, and over 160 varieties of trees including white pine, maples, and dogwood. It's no surprise this is a beloved fall destination, with kaleidoscopic tree foliage painting the old growth forests in a beautiful palette of yellow, reds, and orange between September and November.

The raison d'etre of this college town (and its quirky name recalling the water's 'singing' sound) is its proximity to the river, where the first settlement was built in the 1830s. Today, the closeness to nature is what makes Clarion an ideal escape for lovers of camping, trails, and the great outdoors, as well as a relaxing option for anyone who simply fancies a town trip with an outdoorsy twist. In fact, the town is just on the verge of Cook State Forest, a sweeping natural playground measuring almost 8,500 acres – which is also home to Pennsylvania's most magical trail with its breathtaking, mossy fairytale path. Of the thousands of acres filled with hemlock, white pine, and ancient forests, about 8 miles touch the Clarion River.

Though you can make time for a hike in Cook State Forest, which is about 20 minutes' drive from Clarion, there are also small, serene trails easily available within the town itself. Unsurprisingly, the most scenic ones run alongside the river. For example, the 1.6 miles easy-going loop trail aptly named Clarion Loop Trail is perfect for hiking, with peaceful river views, moderate elevation, and easy accessibility — the beginning and end point are located right in the heart of town. For something a bit more challenging, the 2-miles long Middle Terrace River Trail has fewer river views, but more unspoiled wilderness. But be aware that many travelers have flagged this trail as getting really muddy, so make sure to pack waterproof hiking boots if you are embarking on the challenge.