Read more: One Of West Virginia’s Best-Kept Secrets Is A Train Ride Through A Canyon You Can’t Reach By Car<\/a><\/p>\n Explore Clarion’s college campus and buzzing main street Clarion County hall tower shaded by trees – Cavan-Images\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Stepping away from the historic campus, Clarion’s lively artery, Main Street, has loads to offer visitors, from vintage emporiums\u00a0to casual eateries. Step into County Seat for classic American diner fare\u00a0before visiting Clarion River Brewing Company\u00a0smack 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n Enjoy serene trails and outdoorsy fun by the Clarion River Clarion river flowing through Cook State Forest<\/p>\n 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\u00a0— which is also home to Pennsylvania’s most magical trail with its breathtaking, mossy fairytale path<\/a>. Of the thousands of acres filled with hemlock, white pine, and ancient forests, about 8 miles touch the Clarion River.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0aptly named\u00a0Clarion Loop Trail is perfect for hiking, with peaceful river views, moderate elevation, and easy accessibility \u2014 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.<\/p>\n Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter<\/a> and add us as a preferred search source<\/a> for access to the world’s best-kept travel secrets.<\/p>\n![\"Clarion](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/199f84008320cd1f2dfdf29bd2af4925.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Clarion](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fdea297bdf143ad05e5818ff17d24d98.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n