Clearfield Township offers a close-knit community and scenic views
Clearfield Township is a rural community that offers privacy and year-round outdoor activities. Located on the Allegheny Plateau, this Cambria County township is home to over 1,000 people who live on spacious lots spread across rolling farmland and woods. The township is just south of Glendale Lake, which anchors a larger park drawing anyone from weekend drivers wanting to look at fall foliage to boaters and winter snowmobilers. Dana Simanski, owner of Pirates Cove Pub and Grill, says she likes the area for its seasons and friendly people. “It’s really pretty. There is a lot of open land out here and, especially this season, the leaves are beautiful by the lake,” she says, referring to fall in the area. “Everybody waves to everybody, and they are so nice around here. People will come in, and if they see that I’m busy, they’ll just pick up and help.”
Homes neighbor barns and crop fields
Clearfield has homes on multi-acre lots located along two-lane country roads with no sidewalks. Parts of the township have wooden barns, silos and acres of cornfields. Some lots have open yards, while others are covered with groups of mature trees. Houses here include ranch-style, manufactured and two-story gablefront homes. Homes here don’t often go on the market, with fewer than 10 selling between September 2024 and August 2025. Homes mainly sell from $140,000 to $270,000, but some with well over 5 acres can go for just under $500,000.
Prince Gallitzin State Park offers various land and water activities
Glendale Lake is in Prince Gallitzin State Park, a destination for various land and water activities. Marinas and launches provide kayakers and sailboaters access to the water, while others may go on organized pontoon rides several times a year. Fishing is popular here, and the lake has plenty of bass, muskellunge and bluegill. During the winter, the frozen lake becomes an ice fishing spot. In the forest, mountain bikers and dog walkers may get on over 30 miles of trails winding past many beech, maple and hemlock trees.
Students may attend Cambria Heights schools
Clearfield is zoned for Cambria Heights Elementary School, which gets a B-minus from Niche. Students may then go to Cambria Heights middle and high schools, both of which receive B grades. The high school’s athletic program includes a football team that won two straight district titles in 2023 and 2024.
Area restaurants have pizzas, pasta and frozen treats
Pirates Cove Pub and Grill is a seasonal restaurant typically open between the spring and fall. Its options include homemade potato chips or salads topped with fries and cheese. However, many often go to Pirates for its desserts. “I would say ice cream is probably the main draw. We have new fun features every week,” Simanski says. “I come up with new sundaes, and I do a different flavor every week for the [frozen] yogurt.” For more dining options, many can go for warm pies and wings at Lou Who’s Pizza & Pasta in Patton. Ken’s BiLo Foods in Patton has groceries, but many will need to visit the larger cities to find more shopping options. About 20 miles east, Altoon has chains like Walmart and Sam’s Club.
Fall and summer are festive times in the area
Many come to Smithmyer’s Farm in July for the annual Sunflower Festival. The event lets attendees browse vendor booths and explore the farm’s sunflower maze. In October, the Apple Cider Festival at Prince Gallitzin State Park lets many listen to live music, go on hay rides and see cider pressing demonstrations. Around this time, several businesses will also bring in vendors for their own smaller events. “No matter where you’re driving around here, you’re going to run into a festival somewhere,” Simanski says.
Pennsylvania Route 36 connects Clearfield to Altoona
Residents here drive to commute, and they have access to a few highways. Pennsylvania Route 36 goes directly to Altoona, 15 miles east. Altoona has UPMC Altoona, a nonprofit 390-bed teaching hospital that provides services like acute care and surgeries. About 30 miles south, the Johnstown Airport offers United Express flights to Washington Dulles and Chicago O’hare international airports. For more flight options, there’s the State College Regional Airport, about 60 miles northeast.
The community gets many inches of snowfall
The area usually gets anywhere from 40 to 50 inches of snow annually, according to the National Weather Service. In contrast, the Philadelphia area typically gets about half of that amount.
