Oil Creek State Park is one of five state parks established through the efforts of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The 7,096 acre park preserves 12.0 miles of the winding Oil Creek gorge created some 10,000 years ago by the draining of an ice dammed glacial lake.
The discovery of oil there on August 27, 1859, marked the birth of the world’s oil industry. Throughout the park, expect to see remnants of abandoned oil wells , reminders of the region’s rich oil history.
The Gerard Hiking Trail is a 36 mile trail that circles the park with 4 cross valley trails to allow for shorter loops. The Gerard Trail is fully maintained by the Over the Hill Gang with ocassional large tree cutting help from park staff.
The Ski Trail complex at McCree Farm located at the top of the hill off Petroleum Center Road on the east side of the park. The trails are maintained by volunteers from both the Friends of Oil Creek State Park and volunteers interested in Cross Country Skiing . During ski season hikers are asked to walk beside the ski tracks. The complex has a variety of loop lengths and difficulties due to the many inteconnecting trails.
The Wildcat Hollow complex is located on the west side of the park near the Visitor's Center. In 2025 the Friends of Oil Creek State Park took on the maintainance of the 4 loop trails.