About the Event

Experience The PA Wilds After Dark

Discover Clarion County is proud to launch its first-ever eco-tourism experience: Clarion GloWild. This immersive evening expedition invites visitors to explore the PA Wilds after dark through guided nature walks, hands-on learning, and conservation-focused activities.

Set along Rail 66 Country Trail and surrounding natural spaces, Clarion GloWild offers a rare opportunity to reconnect with the natural world, through hands-on community science activities, interactive expeditions, and conservation-focused experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing scientific research, while gaining a deeper understanding of the ecosystems that make this region extraordinary.

If glowing fireflies, nocturnal wildlife, and star gazing is your vibe, then you do not want to miss this!

Register Online: Several tours have limited availability and require pre-registration.

All activities are free of charge and suitable for most ages.

Trail & Habitat Discovery Walk

From Railroad To Wildlife Corridor

Learn about the Rail 66 Country Trail’s past and its evolution from an active railroad corridor to a great outdoor and recreation destination. Explore the trail’s diverse habitats and wildlife that now thrive along this scenic corridor.

Time 5:30–6:30 PM

Location: Lucinda Railway Station

Hosted By: Rail 66 Country Trail Volunteers

Pollinator Conservation Experience

Inside The Hidden World Of Bees

Discover the essential role pollinators play in healthy ecosystems and learn how native habitats support bees and other beneficial insects.

Time 6:30–7:30 PM

Location: Lucinda Railway Station

Hosted By: Steve’s Bees

Stories from the Wild & Book Signing

Meet The Author: “Scenic Natural Wonders of Pennsylvania”

Meet our special guest, Pittsburgh-based photographer and author, Tory Mather, and explore the landscapes, wildlife, and hidden treasures featured in her new book “Scenic Natural Wonders of Pennsylvania”, including locations found right here in Clarion County.

She will be signing her first book, so be sure to stop by to meet her and get your copy!

Time: 6:30–7:30 PM

Location: Lost in the Wilds Brewing

Firefly Discovery Expedition

Witness Nature’s Living Lanterns

Learn about our state insect and the fascinating lives they lead and how we can all play a part in ensuring they are around for the enjoyment of future generations through community science.

Time: 7:30–9:30 PM

Location: Lost in the Wilds Brewing

Hosted By: Clarion Conservation District

Creatures of the Night Adventure

Meet The Wildlife That Emerges After Sunset

Venture onto the trail after dark to explore the fascinating relationship between nocturnal wildlife and natural illumination. Search for bioluminescent organisms using black lights and experience owl-calling demonstrations while learning about nighttime ecology.

Time: 8:00 – 9:30 PM

Location: Lucinda Railway Station

Hosted By: Clear Creek Forestry Bureau Environmental Educators

Photo Credit: Pale Whale Canoe – Cook Forest

Dark Sky Explorer Station

Journey Through Pennsylvania’s Night Sky

Discover constellations, planets, and celestial phenomena through educational exhibits and telescope viewing led by local astronomy enthusiasts.

Time: 9:30 pm

Location: Lucinda Railway Station

Hosted By: Oil Region Astronomical Society

Our Philosophy

Eco-Tourism & Community Science

We believe tourism should leave a positive impact on the places we explore. Through our eco-tourism initiative, we are building a county-wide movement that brings together visitors, residents, conservation organizations, naturalists, educators, and community partners around a shared mission: to explore, understand, and protect the natural landscapes that make Clarion County special.

A cornerstone of this philosophy is community science—the idea that anyone can contribute to meaningful scientific research. By transforming curiosity into action, participants become active contributors to conservation efforts rather than passive observers.

Clarion County Firefly Blitz

Pennsylvania Firefly Festival (PAFF) has launched a “Clarion County Community Science Firefly Blitz”. It is a summer-long community science initiative running from June 1 through September 1, 2026. This program enlists local residents or campers to search for and document the diversity and distribution of firefly species across the county’s varied landscapes—from backyards, campsites, farm fields and the banks of the Clarion River to the deep woods of the Allegheny National Forest or Cook Forest State Park. This is a unique oportunity! Learn More. 

Photo Credit: P.Butler 2025

Night River Float

Echos on the Water

Unwind on a guided evening boat cruise and experience the magic of the region’s waterways after dark. As day turns to night, the riverbanks come alive with the rhythmic blinking of fireflies and the distant calls of native owls.

Foxburg Tours organizes night boat cruises that focuse on fireflies, owls and night sky viewing led by experienced guides.  Book your tour here. 

Where to Stay?

Make the most of your weekend of nocturnal exploration by booking an overnight stay right here in the heart of the PA Wilds, Cook Forest, and the Clarion Area.

Whether you prefer sleeping under the stars, cozying up in a private rental, or enjoying the amenities of a local hotel, Clarion offers the perfect base camp for your GloWild adventure.
Explore full lodging options and book your stay.  From campgrounds and cabins, to vacation rentals, hotels & Motels. Start Planning Your Trip!

Meet Our Expedition Partners

• Rail 66 Country Trail: Learn More.
• DCNR Clear Creek Forest District: Learn More.
• Clarion Conservation District: Learn More.
• Oil Region Astronomical Society: Learn More.
• Steve’s Bees: Learn More
• Lost in the Wilds Brewing: Learn More.
• Pennsylvania Wilds: Learn More.