A short drive away, Kittanning State Forest offers camping, swimming, hiking trails and, most importantly, fishing! Kittanning is a popular starting point for an 11-mile canoe trip from Clear Creek State Park to Cook Forest State Park, with 6,668 acres bordered by the Clarion River and best known for its old-growth forests. Cook Forest is a National Natural Landmark and is known as the "Black Forest" of Pennsylvania.

Stocked and native brook trout may be found in Clear Creek. The Clarion River has smallmouth bass and panfish, and is stocked annually with trout at Tom's Run. A special stocked fishing pond near the Clear Creek park office is open to children 12 and younger and for people with disabilities.

Kittanning State Forest is open to the public for fishing in season. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, grouse and black bears are common here. Nearby Clear Creek offers overnight camping, swimming, fishing, hiking and day-use areas.

The Bear Town Rocks offer an excellent view, as does the Hays Lot Fire Tower. A trail system, maintained by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, is easy to find. Look for orange blaze markings on trees along the trail. To learn more, log on to www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforest/kittanning.aspx.

The Venango County tract has over six miles of frontage on the Allegheny River, providing a scenic backdrop for boaters and anglers. For a complete list of the region's extensive hiking trails, you can log on to www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/hiking/index.aspx.

Stop by Bendigo State Park in Jones Township to take a dip or wet a line. The 100-acre park has a large, shaded picnic area and a swimming pool. The East Branch Clarion River flows through Bendigo and is stocked annually with trout.

East Branch Lake offers 1,160 acres of coldwater fishing and is stocked with muskellunge, walleyes, smallmouth bass, brookies, rainbows, browns and lake trout.

This region is loaded with family-friendly activities. Animaland Zoological Park houses over 200 critters, a snack barn and gift shop. Visit www.animalandzoo.com for details. The fabled Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is nearby.

For a lodging experience bound to delight young children, set up base camp at Bucktail Family Fun Park Camping Resort in Mansfield. A merry-go-round, train and other amusement rides are free on site, as is a unique "Active Kids" playground. Horseback trail rides and Tioga Central Railroad train rides are available nearby.

The Bucktail Family Fun Park has tent, trailer and motor home sites with picnic tables and fire rings, volleyball, basketball, hiking trails, miniature golf and a pool. Call (570) 662-2923.

Pick up the pace at Clinton County Speedway in Mackeyville. The third of a mile oval track hosts weekly sprint car and stock car competitions.

Learn more about your honey at Draper's Super Bee Apiaries, where observation hives and tours of the honey-packing plant are available. Visit www.draperbee.com for details.

Stop by Punxsutawney and follow Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog's tracks to Gobbler's Knob, the famous spot where Punxsutawney Phil makes his annual coming-of-spring prediction, on a 1.5-mile trail that begins in Barclay Square and ends in Sportsman's Park. Visit www.punxsutawneychamber.com or www.groundhog.org.