Marienville’s quiet community boasts an outdoor lifestyle
Marienville is often considered the gateway to the Allegheny National Forest – as the small community is located along its southern edge, surrounded by green, state game lands and a network of ATV trails. “Outdoor recreation is one of main reasons people come here,” says Michael Wise, a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Realty, who has over 25 years of experience. “From a second-home point of view, it’s very popular because it gets you close to the forest and away from the crowds.”
Recreation in the Allegheny National Forest and nearby areas
Proximity to the Allegheny National Forest is Marienville’s most notable feature. The forest spans over 514,000 acres of thick woodland areas, split by rivers and creeks with waterfalls. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping and ATV riding are popular activities. Nearby trails include Pigeon Falls Trail, Spring Creek Horse Trail and North Country Trail, among others. “Once you’re in the forest, you could go for 60 miles, from Marienville to Kane, without touching private property,” Wise says. There are also plenty of scenic drives. The national forest offers day passes and annual passes. Another recreational spot nearby is Cook Forest State Park, about 12 miles southwest. In addition to all the trails, parkgoers can enjoy kayaking, tubing and fishing along the Clarion River, which flows through the area. In the winter, there’s cross-country skiing, sledding and snowshoeing.
The Marienville Area Civic Association manages an outdoor swimming pool. Two playground areas and a baseball field are found close by. About 2 miles south of town, Forest Ridge Cabins & Campgrounds has luxury cabins and campsites for overnight trips. Amenities include a small playground, heated pool, basketball court and a dog park.
Celebrating the community through forest-themed events
Marienville hosts multiple events throughout the year, celebrating the area. The Tour-De-Forest is a two-day event involving scenic ATV rides through the Allegheny National Forest. Hundreds of ATV enthusiasts will spend the day riding through the area’s various trails. There’s a spring tour in May and a fall tour in October. In June, the community hosts the annual Forest County Bigfoot Festival, to celebrate everything about the notorious cryptid. The Bigfoot Hunt is the weekend’s most popular competition, where 10 bigfoot silhouettes are hidden in the forest within a 5-mile radius for participants to find for prizes. Other events include a 5K run, petting zoo, night hike and a bigfoot calling contest.
A selection of single-family second homes
Most homes in Marienville sit on large lots with grassy yards and are located either close to the town’s center, or along narrow country roads. Minimal traditional single-story homes and bungalows are common, along with sprawling ranchers. There are also traditional multistory homes in the area. Some are American Foursquares, with sloped roofs and a front porch with an overhang, while others have farmhouse features. Most properties were built between the 1960s and 1990s and are priced around $40,000 to $165,000. The median sales price for a home in Marienville is $89,000.
According to Wise, many properties in Marienville sell as second homes to outdoor enthusiasts who regularly visit the national forest. Many of these homeowners may opt to rent properties out seasonally. The CAP Index Crime Score in Marienville is 1 out of 10; compared to the national average of 4.
Local shops and restaurants surround the town center
Retail and dining are limited in Marienville, though there are a handful of shops and restaurants located within the town center, along Chestnut Street. Baughman’s Market is a produce stand, and there’s also a hardware store. Bettina’s Italian Restaurant serves casual eats and pizza slices. To the south, Ray’s Hot Spot is a four-generation family restaurant serving Mexican-inspired cuisine. “The town does have several restaurants, but the way the mountains are, the major routes all have restaurants along them. They’re interspersed around the area,” Wise says. “Everything mountain comfort food, like burgers and chicken fingers, there are a number of places that satisfy that.” Downtown Kane is about 24 miles away with additional options, including Tops, a supermarket with a bakery and deli.
Getting educated in Forest County public schools
Marienville is served by the Forest Area School District, which enrolls over 350 students in the area. East Forest Elementary School earns a B-minus grade from Niche and has an after-school program. From there, students can attend the C-rated East Forest School for grades seven through 12. Older students can take dual enrollment courses through the Venango Technology Center. Both schools share a campus.
Traveling through Marienville and beyond
Between its rural landscape and narrow country roads, Marienville is a car-dependent community. Pennsylvania Route 66 is the area’s main thoroughfare, traveling northeast and southwest. Travelers can use PA 66 to drive through the national forest and get to Kane, about 24 miles north. Bradford Regional Airport is roughly 44 miles away and offers daily flights to Pittsburgh International Airport.
