Looking for an itinerary that mixes outdoor adventure with small town charm? Check out this guide to 24 hours in Kane, Pennsylvania.
Disclaimer - Many of the activities mentioned in this blog post were sponsored by Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau. As always, my opinions are unbiased and my own. I want to thank VisitANF for their generosity!
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About Kane
Kane, Pennsylvania is located in McKean County in the northwestern side of Pennsylvania. This town of 3,600 people is known as “A Star in the Forest” and combines history and community with a proximity to
Kane is the perfect launchpad to explore the surrounding Allegheny National Forest and Pennsylvania Wilds. Normally on my outdoor adventures, I try to spend as much time out in the woods as possible. However, I was so glad to be able to explore Kane because it is an amazing town.
Kane is a special community. It was clear that everywhere I went, people knew each other and cared about each other. Every interaction I had with someone from Kane, they expressed how much they loved the area and how much they cared about the people in their community. That shines through to a visitor and makes visiting this small town that much more special.
For more information about Kane, check out the town’s website. Read on for more information about what to do, where to eat, and where to stay near Kane, PA!
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What to Do In and Around Kane
Explore Allegheny National Forest
No visit to Kane PA would be complete without visiting the surrounding Allegheny National Forest. This federally managed forest is filled with some amazing places to visit that are close by to Kane.
As always, follow the principles of leave no trace when you're out exploring! Pack out all trash, leave wildlife alone, and generally leave it better than you found it - for more information visit the Leave No Trace Center.
Rimrock Overlook
What I expected was an overlook. What I GOT was an amazing fortress of rock to explore. Rimrock Overlook in Warren County is one of the best scenic overlooks in the state. Not only are the views from the top spectacular, but the hike is super unique as it descends through giant sandstone boulders, making it feel like a medieval castle.
The parking lot has a pit toilet and a lot of parking spots. There’s multiple options for hiking. If you just want to hike to the overlook, it’s about a 0.4 mile out and back from the parking lot. However, I highly recommend exploring around the boulders. There’s a staircase in the middle of the overlook that takes you down below the overlook.
While it was cool to feel small as the boulders towered over me, it was also really interesting to look closely at the sandstone. You can see the larger pebbles embedded in the rock, telling the story of the area’s geological history.
I think this would be a good hike for older kids that are comfortable with steep cliffs, but I would not recommend for small children as there are sheer drop offs. If you’re just headed to the overlook, it’s a relatively easy hike. If you’re adding on wandering around the cliffs at the bottom or the out and back to Kinzua Beach, there’s some elevation gain.
Local Tip: This trail has a pit (non flush) toilet at the trailhead.
Jakes Rocks Overlook
Jakes Rocks is an award winning mountain biking trail area. But did you know that it also has a scenic overlook with amazing views of the surrounding Allegheny National Forest and Kinzua Dam? While there is a main overlook that you can walk to, there’s also a couple of roadside vistas with smaller parking lots that also have great views.
The main overlook is relatively easy to visit. You’ll follow Longhouse Road, a scenic byway, which is a beautiful drive in and of itself. Once you get to the signs for Jakes Rocks, the road will become a one way. Follow signs to the overlook – we got turned around because there is more than one overlook.
The main overlook is only about 100 yards from the closest parking lot. If you have to park in overflow parking because the parking lot is full, it’s about a half mile round trip walk. The main parking lot has a pit toilet.
Because this view faces west, it’s a great place to catch the sunset. Unfortunately, we had some fog and rain for our visit in early April. I’d definitely come back in the fall as the foliage views would be amazing.
I haven’t mountain biked here, but would love to try out these amazing trails sometime. I also didn’t do too much hiking in the area other than walking to the overlook and back. If you like hiking and check out these trails, make sure to keep an ear out for bikers coming up behind you.
Local Tip: If you’d like to mountain bike, check out Kane Outfitter bike rentals right in Kane.
Hector Falls
This amazing waterfall is a can’t-miss stop on any Allegheny National Forest itinerary. Not only is the waterfall itself unique, but the towering rocks around it create a hidden glen that exudes serenity,
The trail to the falls is a two mile out and back loop. The parking lot only fits about seven or eight cars, so I’d recommend getting there early. The trail is pretty easy to follow – just follow the logging road that descends from the trailhead. At about 0.7 miles, the trail turns into single track as you head past the blue pipe. Continue to follow white blazes to the top of the waterfall. Use caution around the edge as it’s a 20 foot drop.
To reach the bottom of the falls, circle around the boulder formations to the left. You’ll cross a little wooden bridge and then be surrounded by towering rocks as you look at the falls straight on. Hector Falls is unique, as it forks on either side of a rock formation that has an almost 90 degree angle.
I was struck with how peaceful this glen was. The sounds of the waterfall echoes off the rocks, creating a real live white noise machine. I loved watching the water drip off of the moss covered boulders and could have spent hours here. There is a fire ring, designating this area as a campsite.
Local Tip: Hector Falls diminishes down to a trickle when it’s dry, so the best time to visit is spring after a rainstorm or snowmelt. These photos are from a rainy day in April.
Looking for more to do near Kane? Check out my guide to Kinzua Bridge State Park, one of the most unique state parks in Pennsylvania!
Explore the Town of Kane
Field Street Boots
This shop is a hidden gem for outdoor lovers. I never expected so much selection of outdoor gear, including boots, clothing, fishing, hunting, and even fire fighting equipment, in Kane Pennsylvania. The staff were super nice and willing to help me if I needed it.
Up top, they have a custom t-shirt making area as well as women’s shoes and clothing. The prices were extremely reasonable. If I was coming back anywhere near the area and needed to do a little outdoor shopping, I would absolutely come back here.
Local Tip: Don’t forget to swing by the Kane mural on the way from Field Street Boots to the Kane Depot to snap a picture!
McCleery Wolf Center at Kane Depot
Did you know that northwestern Pennsylvania played a pivotal role in wolf conservation? Neither did I until I visited the McCleery Wolf Center, located in the Kane Depot.
The McCleery Wolf Center tells the story of physician Edward McCleery and his fight to save Lobo wolves from extinction. As wolves were being killed out west, McCleery purchased wolf pups from hunters. These pups were shipped to Kane via rail and kept on a sanctuary outside of Kane.
The volunteer docents from the Kane Historic Preservation Society were incredibly knowledgeable about all things Kane. Their passion for their subject comes through in how many details they knew about their subject. I am someone who loves to ask a lot of questions and I didn’t stump them once.
Note that the Depot is open May thru December, Saturdays 11-5 and Sundays 12-4. Special thanks to the Kane Historical Society for opening earlier in the season to give me a special tour! Make sure to check out the wolf statue outside the depot. It’s made from over 25,000 hand cut nails that were repurposed from repairing and refurbishing the Kane Depot.
Local Tip: Don’t listen to Google maps on this one – it will take you outside of town to the old wolf sanctuary grounds. Stay in town and head to the Kane Depot, located at 1 Fraley St, where you can learn more about the history of Kane.
Evergreen Park
This adorable park near the Kane Depot is a great place to stop on your visit to Kane. The park offers a disc golf course, a gravel walking path, basketball courts, seasonal volleyball courts, and an amazing playground.
The Evergreen Enchanted Playground was my favorite part of the park. Made of wood, the main part of the playground is structured like a castle. In a world where modern playgrounds are made of plastic and fiberglass, this playground was a throwback to my childhood.
My friend Julia and I spent almost an hour here hanging out on the swings, trying to swing across the monkey bars, and just playing on the playground. It was a nice way to remember that life is not that serious and we all need to embrace our inner child.
Local Tip: This park is home to Art in the Wilds, an art show held annually. Artists display and sell their art during this two day show in June.
Looking for another great Pennsylvania town to visit for a weekend? Check out my guide to visiting State College!
Where to Eat in Kane
Table 105
One of the challenges about being a city girl who travels to more rural communities often is that I have high standards for food. A lot of times on my trips, I will just bring my own food because I don’t like paying for food that isn’t up to par. However, Table 105 is a standout restaurant that is better than multiple restaurants I’ve eaten at in Pittsburgh. This sophisticated restaurant has tons of cocktail options, delicious food, and a cool vibe that I was surprised to find in such a small community.
The cocktail section is huge and they have both a seasonal menu and a full standard menu of options. At first, I was a little disappointed to see no mocktail options. But when I asked about it, the waitress said that the bartender would make me ANY of the cocktails without alcohol in it. As someone who doesn’t drink, this was amazing news. A lot of the time, I’m relegated to one to two sad options for drinks, even in the city. Not at Table 105!
The food was delicious. I had a burger which was amazing with a side of perfect fries. My friend had a perfectly cooked steak with a side of the most delicious parmesan risotto. I kept sneaking bites off of her plate. We were so full by the end of the meal that we didn’t have room for the yummy looking dessert options (so we’ll have to go back!).
Local Tip: Sit at the bar for a front row seat to watch the talented bartenders making all sorts of specialty cocktails
Texas Hot Lunch
This casual eatery is a great place to grab a bite when in Kane. Biting into a steaming hot cheesesteak after a cold morning of hiking was pure heaven. Dress code is super casual so no one batted an eye when two bedraggled hikers slid into a booth to order after hiking in the rain all morning.
As an outsider it was a little confusing, but there are two sides to this eatery. The right side is considered Texas Hot Lunch and the left side is called Four Son’s dining room. When we went for lunch, the menu was the same on both sides.
This was the perfect type of cozy, casual dining that I love to visit on adventure trips. Our waiter was super nice and was willing to help me figure out how to get to Kane Depot. Just another example of Kane being filled with small town friendliness.
Local Tip: The cheesesteak was the best cheesesteak I’ve had outside of Philadelphia. Perfect amount of melted cheese and temperature!
Where to Stay in Kane
Kane Manor Inn
Kane Manor Inn is one of my favorite places I’ve stayed in Pennsylvania. This beautiful manor is a Georgian revival style mansion that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You’ll be able to feel like you’ve been transported back in time, while maintaining access to all of your modern amenities like a personal bathroom and wifi.
This was my second visit to the Manor and it will not be the last. It’s clear how much care owners Ben and Debra have put into restoring and adding special touches to each room. There are fifteen unique rooms available to rent located in the manor itself or in the guest house across the street.
Each room has a different theme. I’ve stayed in the both Blue room (queen bed so great for a couple) and the Summer Room (queen plus twin so perfect for a best friends’ weekend).
While the mansion itself is incredible, what really stood out to me was the breakfast experience. I felt like a member of the Bridgerton family being served delicious food on beautiful china in a room overlooking the grounds. I normally skip a formal breakfast during hiking trips, usually opting to chow down on a protein bar on a hike. However, this breakfast is a can’t-miss experience.
Local Tip: Book directly through the Kane Manor Inn website to get the best deal and to ensure that all of your money goes directly to the amazing owners (and not to some third party booking site!)
Looking for more perfect road trip destinations across Pennsylvania? Check out my guide to the best road trips from Pittsburgh!
If you’re looking for more places to stay in and around Kane, check out this interactive map below!
Are you booking your trip to Kane? Let me know in the comments!
Longhouse Scenic Drive—not Longfellow. Thank you for giving this Kane native a delightful reminder of what makes my hometown a place I constantly miss!
Updated – thank you for the correction! I loved Kane. It seems like it would have been a great place to grow up!!