Jake’s Rocks Trail Report: Where the Allegheny Forest Hugs Your Knobby Tires
After a few blissful days chilling at BaseCamp Thousand Trails – Hershey, PA (my gut is still recovering from an epic battle with an obscene number of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups), my somewhat injured, Jack Karavan (that’s my Winnebago Revel, for the uninitiated), pointed his headlights towards the majestic Allegheny National Forest. Our mission? To conquer the legendary, the highly-regarded, the whisper-in-the-wind-among-bikers Jake’s Rocks Trail System. And let me tell you, Jake’s Rocks lived up to the hype, delivering three days of pure, unadulterated, two-wheeled joy for this Newbie Mountain biker!
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Jake's Rocks: Where Every Ride Feels Like a "Win".
So, what makes Jake’s Rocks so darn special? Well, besides being nestled in the stunning Allegheny National Forest, this place is a mountain biker’s playground designed by folks who clearly get what we want and an army of volunteers who maintain the trail. But, that’s just one of the awesome things about Jake’s Rocks. Some others:
- Nice Flow for Miles: Forget constantly slamming on your brakes. Jake’s Rocks offers nice, consistent singletrack flow that lets you carry speed and feel like a downhill champ, even when you’re just cruising. It’s like the trails were paved with butter, if butter were grippy and made of dirt.
- Built for Progression: Whether you’re a wobbly beginner or a seasoned shredder, Jake’s Rocks has your back. The well-maintained trails range from mellow greens that’ll boost your confidence to punchy blues that offer a satisfying challenge without resorting to death-defying drops. Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate, or seasoned rock garden navigator, Jake’s Rocks will offer you something enjoyable.
- Rock Solid Fun (Literally): True to its name, you’ll encounter some fantastic rock features here. We’re talking natural rock gardens that’ll make you feel like a pro as you navigate them, adding just the right amount of technical spice without sending you over the handlebars (unless you’re really trying).
- Scenery that’ll Make You Drool: Seriously, the Allegheny National Forest is eye candy. Expect lush forests, towering trees, and glimpses of the sparkling Kinzua Reservoir. It’s the kind of place where you’d happily stop for a selfie, even if it means losing your Strava KOM.
Jake's Rocks Quick Beginner/Intermediate Stats:
Green Trails: 5 trails
- Blue Trails: 11 trails, accessible from all three lifts
- Ty’s Beginner Friendly Rating: 8/10
- Van Life Score: 9/10
- Must-Ride Trail: Three Sisters
- Best Season to Visit: Summer to early Fall
- Loam Pass / IMBA Epic: N/A
- Dog-Friendly: Yes (with restrictions on trails during operating hours)
- Trail Conditions Today: Click Here For Current Conditions.
My Three-Day Two-Wheeled Odyssey.
I spent three glorious days riding and roaming this epic area. Here’s the play-by-play of my tire-treading adventures. As always, I bring you my reviews from the prospective of a 47 year old beginner who cares actually cares about broken bones! So I might have a higher standard for the word “safe” then some of the YouTube bros. 😃
Ride 1: The True Green Loop – My Apology to Gravity
Okay, okay. I admit it. After my last “character-building” visit to Rothrock SF, I might be a little gun-shy, even after my redemption rides at Allegrippis (you can read all about those glorious moments of not-falling-over right here). So, when I rolled into Jake’s Rocks, I picked the easiest, simplest route. You know, just to get a feel for things again. Like a first date, but with dirt and less awkward silence.
And a green loop it was! This wasn’t so much a mountain biking experience as a serene ride through the forest. I could have almost as easily been on a single speed with a basket on the front and a sun umbrella for good measure. Okay, that’s hyperbole. But it was an easy ride. A few small climbs with some rocks that are probably pretty slick with even the slightest hint of precipitation, or fog, or mist, or really anything… But today, slick and dry, this is a true green run with a few gentle climby sections and some mellow downhill bits. Nothing to worry your pretty little helmet about. A fun ride if you have an hour or so and want to stretch those legs – while on a bike, of course.
Ride 2: The Big Loop – The Appetizer Sampler of Singletrack
The Big Loop was like an appetizer sampler platter at a chain restaurant. Good enough to make you want some more, yet leaving you unsatiated intentionally (at least not everyone is fighting over the Southwest Eggrolls).
I loved the feel you got on these rides. Relatively calm, not overly technical. The “Big Loop” was definitely more of a blue trail than the Green Loop, and you felt it. A bit steeper climbs, a bit more rocky – just enough to remind your legs they’re still attached to your body. It’s the perfect step up for those looking to challenge themselves without signing a waiver for extreme sports. Big Loop also had my favorite trail: Three Sisters. Three Sisters is where you ride between two large boulders and get the Insta worthy photos.
Ride 3: Ty's Free Ride – The Grand Tour (with a Side of Climbing)
For my third ride, I decided to leave directly from the campground, because who needs a car when you have perfectly good knobby tires? The route essentially went Grouse to DewDrop to Vulpes to Cornplanter then back down Laurel. Keep an eye out for a not-quite-gravel road cut-off on your right (it’s easy to miss if you’re too busy admiring the trees) for the return to camp via Laurel.
This effectively gives you a fantastic loop and means you’ll have pedaled most of the blue and green trails available in Jake’s Rocks. I actually really enjoyed this ride. From my campsite, the total loop was around 8 miles. Grouse, even though it’s green, has some surprisingly technical ascents – and DewDrop ups that ante.
You will be climbing. And perhaps climbing some more. In total, this ride hits about all my favorite numbers: Around 10 miles. Around 1,000 vertical feet of climb. And some nice fast and flowy descents that make all that climbing totally worth it. But more than that, this is just a ridiculously pretty section of the forest. I’ve uploaded the ride to MTB Project and you can find it here with my turn-by-turn directions (written from the perspective of the guy who gets lost all the time – so I tried to make them easy to follow, even for those of us directionally challenged).
Good Boondocking: Free Camping FTW!
I initially stayed in the DewDrop campground. My site was basic – no amenities. And – the bathhouse had push-button 2.5-3.5 minute hot water (but it was hot). They were moderately clean and very dated (read: not dilapidated, but not far from that word).
However, all around the campground, particularly on Forest Road 160, there are plenty of dispersed (i.e., free!) camping opportunities. Stay there. Save your $20.00 a night. One particular site, not far from the main trailhead parking lot, has a pull-out on the side of the road with an amazing view overlooking the Reservoir. You’ll see. Check there first and snag that site as you are less than a mile from the main trailhead. Dewdrop also has a number of first-come, first-serve spots, so you may have a backup plan if your free dreams are dashed.
Favorite Pics.
If there is a problem with Jake’s Rocks its that its almost too scenic. Many of the rides I’ve ridden through National and State Forest land are pretty – but they are essentially rides through the Forest (translation: boring after 20 minutes of climbing). There are some trees, some plants maybe some wildflowers. And at a few points, you might get a break along a ridge and get a good view.
Because of the boulders and water sources, Jake’s Rocks had some really unique surroundings that made you want to hop off and grab a pic. Here are some favorites as well as just general pics so you can get a feel for the rides and campground.
Ty's Takeaways: Jake's Rocks is a PA Powerhouse
Overall, this was a fantastic fit into my PA Adventure. I loved the downhill bike park experience at BMR (read about it here), and I really enjoyed the Allegrippis Trail system (read about it here), and this fit in nicely, like a perfectly packed lunch in a hydration pack.
The trails were incredibly well-maintained by an army of dedicated volunteers (I actually saw a guy headed out on his bike with a chainsaw to do some trail magic) and it absolutely shows.
The rides are a bit more technical than Allegrippis and don't have the same open views – it's more like Rothrock, if you remove the death climbs and nasty gnats. I vote for Jake's Rocks as the preferred choice!
Moreover, this National Forest seems incredibly van life / boondock friendly, which is music to my Revel's (and my) ears. Check the official forest regulations here to make sure you're camping responsibly.
Until Next Time,
Go Well. Travel Well. Live Well.
~ Ty & Odie
Chasing great mountain biking, camping smart, and living full-time in an RV. Hard-won wisdom. Zero fluff. Live Free. Adventure Often
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Other Pennsylvania Adventures.
So. I actually ended up spending longer in PA then I had planned due to a electric issue with Jack. That left me plenty of time to write (more time than I wanted – lol). Here’s some other trail reviews from PA! Or –click here to heck out my Mountain Biking Across America page for trip reports, advice, and my Chronicles of a Newbie Mountain Biker Series.
Trail Report PA: My Harrowing Experience in Rothrock State Forest and Glorious Redemption @ Raystown Lake
A beginner/intermediate mountain biker’s candid review of Rothrock State Forest and the surprising joy of Allegrippis Trail System near Raystown Lake, PA. Expect humor, struggles, and real talk about PA’s trails!
Shifting Gears Rolls Into Blue Mountain Resort: A Pennsylvania Mountain Biking & Van Life Adventure
Ready for beginner/intermediate mountain biking Pennsylvania? Explore Blue Mountain Resort’s trails and van life Pennsylvania tips in this honest and humorous review. Find your next adventure!
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I started writing this blog as a way to capture the adventurous and free lifestyle I’m privileged to live. I’ve traveled to over 28 countries and 35 U.S States. I’ve lived aboard in multiple countries and averaged over 100 days a year of travel for work. I’ve skied and hiked all over the world – and my new obsession is mountain biking.
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