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Print Friendly MapAs it winds along Oil Creek, McClintock Trail connects Oil Creek State Park with Oil City. Note that much of the route is on-road.
Just south of the park, a 1.8-mile section on Waitz Road, a dirt road with a few steep slopes in Cornplanter Township, provides access to the historic McClintock Well #1.
The southern section of the McClintock Trail was completed in September 2013, moving bicyclists and other trail users off busy State Route 8. This segment is a smooth, flat asphalt trail that aligns with an active class three railroad; the train is slow moving at approximately 15 MPH. This segment of the trail takes users from McClintock Well #1 to Oil City, where users can pick up the trail route through Oil City to the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail.
McClintock Trail is part of the Erie-To-Pittsburgh Trail; please see the link in the Explore Related Content box for more information.
On the north end of the trail, there is a small trailhead at McClintock Well #1 on Waitz Road, as well as a large trailhead on Old Bankson Road, approximately 800 feet off State Route 8.
If you are getting on the trail from the southern end, there is no designated parking area.
Much of this route is road, not trail. The only trail is the first mile at the south end (Oil City) and within Oil Creek State Park. Otherwise it's road - and some of that is dirt with medium-size gravel.
A friend and I planned to ride the trail in June 2024 using 35mm tires. We turned around when we hit the gravel (tires were not wide enough to ride safely). We drove to the state park, and rode its smooth asphalt trail with partial shade. The trail is slightly uphill to Titusville, and runs along Oil Creek. The trail is just wide enough to ride 2 abreast.
Trail signage is spotty south of the park, particularly where the trail becomes paved road then dirt road with gravel.
...but it gets you back to the trail. Caseys bar is at the end in oil city. Stop for water and/or food.
Nice trail a few miles from the Samuel Justus trail and is connected by the Oil City trail. It follows an active railroad and is separate by a fence.
Fortunately I had ridden through Oil City before and knew where to look for the signs to navigate downtown. I had even made it a mile or two onto the McClintock Trail before and found the smooth paved surfaces fun to ride. It is in need of some maintenance however and tall weeds are severely encroaching on the outside lane .
The surprise and disappointment comes after that once the "trail" turns into riding back roads that aren't in great shape, have no real berm and get the occasional Jeep or pickup driving by kicking dust into the air. Next time I remember to read these reviews BEFORE I decide where to ride.
I started in Franklin and rode on the Samuel Justice to the Oil City Trail to the McClintock Trail. The first couple miles were very smooth. If you like paved trails you'll love this first couple of miles. The "trail" then turns into a hard packed dirt and gravel road. I'm not usually really happy about riding on a road, but this was my favorite part. The hills weren't too intimidating and the terrain was just rough enough to make it fun. I just really got into gravel grinding and then my amusement came to an abrupt end. The McClintock takes State Park Rd which has no berm and. lots of hills and bends providing a lot of blind spots for motorists. Much of the road is guide rail on one side and a steep bank on the other allowing no escape for a cyclist to avoid being run over. Oil Creek State Park is beautiful and I really enjoyed the gravel road, but State Park Rd will keep me from taking this route again.
I was not at all impressed with the McClintock Trail. Rides through city traffic in post-industrial Oil City not good. Hilly gravel road not good either. Signage needs improved. By far the worst trail in the Oil Heritage Region that I've been on. Advise riders to ride on Allegheny River Trail or Samuel Justus Trail instead.
Though over 9 miles in length, this trail offers a variety of trail surface and terrains. Flat paved section runs along the railroad tracks for approx 2 miles. There is 2 rolling miles on dirt road, Waitz Road. The remaining trail consists of hilly paved roads in Oil Creek State Park. We ended up pushing our bikes along a good portion of the trail.
We parked in the lot on Waitz Road. Parking for approx 10 cars this is at the site of the historical McClintock Oil Well which has been in operation since 1861.
We went paved uphill on Waitz Road which at the top of the hill, it became a dirt road along Oil Creek. Crossed over Route 8 and entered Oil Creek State Park and rode and pushed our bikes along the road to the Park Office. Headed back through the park, crossed Route 8, entered the dirt road. The paved trail section runs from Waitz Road in the other direction towards Oil City.
When you get to Oil City, there are markers through the city. It was basically zig zag all over the place.
There is a new parking lot on Route 8 next to the dollar store.
Restrooms can be found in Oil Creek State Park, that's pretty much it.
Eateries are in Oil City. Fast food, sit down or pizza.
Along the trail you can see old oil wells and barrels and a bit of history.
Though over 9 miles in length, this trail offers a variety of trail surface and terrains. Flat paved section runs along the railroad tracks for approx 2 miles. There is 2 rolling miles on dirt road, Waitz Road. The remaining trail consists of hilly paved roads in Oil Creek State Park. We ended up pushing our bikes along a good portion of the trail.
We parked in the lot on Waitz Road. Parking for approx 10 cars this is at the site of the historical McClintock Oil Well which has been in operation since 1861.
We went paved uphill on Waitz Road which at the top of the hill, it became a dirt road along Oil Creek. Crossed over Route 8 and entered Oil Creek State Park and rode and pushed our bikes along the road to the Park Office. Headed back through the park, crossed Route 8, entered the dirt road. The paved trail section runs from Waitz Road in the other direction towards Oil City.
When you get to Oil City, there are markers through the city. It was basically zig zag all over the place.
There is a new parking lot on Route 8 next to the dollar store.
Restrooms can be found in Oil Creek State Park, that's pretty much it.
Eateries are in Oil City. Fast food, sit down or pizza.
Along the trail you can see old oil wells and barrels and a bit of history.
What a nice addition to Oil City trails. It's nice to have someplace different to jog and not buggy like the river trail can be.
I would echo the previous comment. A good solid addition to the the constellation of trails in Northwestern PA. Makes the most sense if you're headed south from Titusville or north from Oil City on a longer trip and using it to connect up. On it's own though, it gives you a look into some of the last remaining industry in the once bustling Oil Creek valley and a few nice views of the creek itself, ending on the north trailhead at the McClintock Well, the oldest continuously producing oil well in the world.
Nice new pavement, well marked . I never rode the trail before it was paved so I don't know how bad it was before it was redone. All I can say is I like it and my bicycle liked I want more . I'd have given it 5 stars if there were more sites to see, but I'd give it a 4.5 rating. The grand opening is Sept 14th 2013.
Took this "trail" to get off of PA Route 8 on May 25, 2013. It is NOT paved! there is a small part at the beginning and at the end. The remainder of the road is muddy, cinders and very rough! Stay on Route 8!
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