Wildcatters Rally
July 9-12, 2026
Wildcatters Adventure Rally
A Family Friendly, All-Skill-Levels Off Road, Dual Sport and Adventure Rally!
Explore the rich oil, iron, and rail history including ghost towns, abundant gravel roads, and small town charms of Western Pennsylvania! Venango County is the birthplace of American Oil! The US petroleum industry was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1859 with the Drake Well being the first commercial oil well planted in the United States. Prospectors came in droves. Towns were built rapidly and disappeared just as quickly after the bust but these ghost towns and relics of the past can be found in the area if you know where to look!
The name "Wildcatter" was given to those prospectors who sunk exploratory wells. Already a risky investment, many Wildcatters chose to go up into the hills and ridgelines to drill for oil, rather than the valleys which were presumed to be closer to the pools. I know a bunch of ADV and Dual Sport riders who like to ride risky in the valleys and hills... some present day Wildcatters.
Riding:
The Wildcatters Rally will have Adventure Rides on the local dirt and gravel roads. There are 5 ADV loops that cloverleaf the area surrounding base camp that will showcase the history, wilderness, and small town charms of Allegheny National Forest, Goddard State Park, Oil Creek State Park, Chapman State Park, Two Mile Run County Park, French Creek, Allegheny River, Tionesta Creek, multiple State Game Lands, as well as the towns of Titusville, Tidioute, Warren, Marienville, Tionesta, Oil City, Emlenton, Sandy Lake, and many great places in between!
Some of these loops will pass sites of historical significance like the Drake Well but our local experts Mike and Tambra from Cross Adventuring have also built a 50 mile ADV history tour that includes many of the oil boom ghost towns, old iron furnaces, abandoned rail tunnels, and more! There is a collection of old photographs towards the end of the registration photos.
For families in the car, these routes are also drivable as they cover pavement and dirt/gravel roads. The Oil Region National Heritage Area Driving Tour is also a great family option!
Our 200+ acre base camp will have miles of rustic trails for the whole family! Pitbikes, dirt bikes, dual sports, and ADV bikes will all be able to access the trails. Weather plays a role but pitbikes, dirt bikes and Little Bikes (i.e. Monkey, Grom, etc.) will have a blast, dual sports will manage, and ADV bikes will find some decent challenges. The trails are spread throughout the property and there will be several loops designed for riders to get a taste of the terrain before wondering around to create their own adventure. Kane Wagner from Appalachian ADV will be staying on the property over the duration of the event and will be available to lead riders on some of the custom loops.
The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) OHV trails are an hour drive from the Wildcatters Base Camp: Timberline, Marienville, Penoke (east of the town of Marienville); Rocky Gap (south of Warren). Willow Creek (north of Warren) is also included in the pass and is approximately 2 hours from Wildcatters Base Camp. Timberline is rated the easiest trails in the system and are family friendly. Trail passes are required to ride the ANF Trail System and can be purchased through the USDA USFS website linked above. Cost of an Annual Pass is $35, a day pass is $10.
General Info & Surrounding Area:
Our 200+ acre base camp also has all forms of camping, shower houses with flush toilets, pit toilets, pavilions, and picnic tables. There is a large group camp area with a large pavilion that will be used for dining, riders’ meetings, door prizes, and to hang out during the event. A local food truck will also be on the grounds for Breakfast through Dinner services.
Gas stations, local shops, small town restaurants, museums, parks, and grocery stores can be found in Oil City (10 minutes from camp), Franklin (15 minutes from camp), and Titusville (20 minutes from camp).
Two Mile Run County Park borders our Base Camp and you can drive to the beach on the lake in less than 10 minutes. The beach is manned by lifeguards and you can also fish, boat, canoe, kayak, mountain bike, hike, or ride your horses!
Oil Creek State Park is a less than 15 minute drive from Base Camp. The Oil Creek Valley is the site of the world’s first commercial oil well. Oil Creek State Park tells the story of the early petroleum industry by interpreting oil boomtowns, oil wells, and early transportation. Scenic Oil Creek carves a valley of deep hollows, steep hillsides, and wetlands.
The Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad is 20 minutes from camp in Titusville. Take a ride into history! Visit the 1890's vintage Perry Street Station where the vintage 1930's Pullman cars will carry you on a 3 hour round trip tour through scenic Oil Creek State Park. You’ll learn about the people and places that made up Pennsylvania Oil Country. Your family can share the fun of train travel and relive history. See a variety of wildlife from groundhogs to bald eagles, with ducks, deer, and blue heron, as well as the occasional black bear. Visit the Railway Post Office Car, the only one still in operation in the USA!
The Drake Well Museum and the unique Titusville Iron Works Tap House, Museum, Restaurant, and Music Venue can be found in Titusville also! While you are there check out the Rink Family Fun Center; Longway Park with a BMX Pump Track, tennis courts, track, baseball fields, and the Oil Creek State Park Bicycle Trail; and the local YMCA.
The Sandy Creek Bicycle Trail system is 25 minutes from Base Camp and traverses an asphalt track along old rail line including crossing multiple rail bridges and rail tunnels.
Tionesta, The Gateway to the Allegheny National Forest, is 30 minutes from camp. The town sits on the banks of the Allegheny River where outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting, swimming, and power boating, as well as hiking and horseback riding.
Maurice K. Goddard State Park and Lake Wilhelm are 40 minutes from Base Camp. The large lake, abundant wetlands, old fields, and mature forests provide a diversity of habitats for wildlife, especially waterfowl, eagle, and osprey. Boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and a bicycle/E-bike path are all within the 2,856-acre Park and 1,680-acre Lake.
Cook Forest State Park is 50 minutes away from Base Camp. The 8,500-acre Cook Forest State Park and 3,136-acre Clarion River Lands lie in scenic northwestern Pennsylvania with amazing hiking, general stores, a climbable fire tower, and an abundance of outdoor activities. Known as a land of giants because of the “forest cathedral” of ancient pines and hemlocks, this landscape is an ode to the majesty of the Pennsylvania Wilds and home to many of the tallest hemlock and pine trees in the Northeast. The majestic Cook Forest has been designated a National Natural Landmark. A scenic 13-mile stretch of the Clarion River flows through Cook Forest State Park and is popular for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing.
Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania's largest natural glacier lake, is 50 minutes from Base Camp and surrounded by stunning scenery with a wide variety of activities, shopping, dining, beaches, boating, fishing, and golfing. Stop in and say "Hi!" to our friends at Street Track n' Trail while you are there!
Pymatuning State Park and the Pymatuning Reservoir are an hour from Base Camp. At 16,892 acres, it is one of the largest state parks in the Commonwealth. The 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir is the largest lake in the Commonwealth. Pymatuning is one of the most visited state parks in Pennsylvania. Perhaps the biggest thing about Pymatuning is the fun you can have boating, fishing, swimming, camping, visiting the fish at the Linesville Spillway, and enjoying other recreational opportunities.
The Jakes Rocks Mountain Biking Trails are 90 minutes away from Base Camp and offer a world renowned 30+ miles of trail riding. Jakes Rocks is an adventure mountain bike trail loop winding through natural boulders and scenic forested landscapes. With segments of varying skills levels, this premier mountain biking trail system is a crown jewel of mountain biking in the Allegheny National Forest.
The Allegheny Reservoir is home to the Jakes Rocks MTB Trails with lush green forest surrounding the 7,647-acre reservoir that spans the border between Pennsylvania and New York. In Pennsylvania, the reservoir is completely surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest, and in New York State by Allegany State Park and the Allegany Indian Reservation of the Seneca Nation. Boating, fishing, hiking, MTB, amazing vista views, and tons of outdoor activities surround the Reservoir.
On Saturday evening there will be a shuttle bus that will have a couple pick-ups and drop-offs between Wildcatters Base Camp and the town of Titusville. The shuttle will drop and pick back up at the Titusville Iron Works (TIW) with multiple restaurants and shops within walking distance including: The Titusville Mill, Fat Chad's Tap & Steakhouse, Missy's Arcade Restaurant, Diamond Bar & Grill, Bunyan's Grill, as well as the Magic Bus Restaurant inside the TIW!
Check out the Oil Region Alliance and the Oil Regional National Heritage Area websites for more family-friendly tourist activities in the area! The Oil Region was designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an official Pennsylvania Heritage Area in 1994 and by the National Park Service as an official National Heritage Area in 2004.
Food at Base Camp:
The Magic Bus Food Truck out of Titusville will be on the property from Thursday evening through Sunday evening and be available for dinner on Thursday through dinner on Saturday, with access to breakfast and lunch in between!
Wildcatters Camping Options:
These options are selectable when registering below.
We will have a Group Camp Area near the shower house and main pavilion that will be included in the price of the event (General Pass). Bikes can be parked at your camp and there will be parking available on the property for trucks/trailers. Tents or hammocks can be accommodated. General Pass Full is used to book the full event and includes camping in the Group Camp Area. Saturday-Sunday Gen Pass includes camping in the Group Camp Area (Friday evening camp through Sunday departure).
There are 11 available powered RV sites with water and a small pavilion at each. These sites are adjacent to the main pavilion and shower house.
There are multiple rustic RV spots spread throughout the property. These sites are first-come-first-serve and locations will be detailed at check-in of the event.
One registration is required for families booking an RV Power or RV Rustic pass (i.e. spouses and child(ren) only need to register for one RV Power or RV Rustic pass and the whole family can attend). There is a dump station on the property that RVs can use prior to departure or during the event.
RV Rustic Sat-Sun Pass is used to book the partial event but allows the registrant to camp anywhere on the Wildcatters Base Camp (Friday evening camp through Sunday departure).
There are two Platform Camp Areas on the property that can be used if you want to camp but don’t want to bother with bringing a tent! They include a flat deck with a roof and canvas walls, measuring approximately 10’x10’. Bring a cot, air mattress, or hammock! Each Platform Camp Area has 6 decks and a common area. The Chapel Platforms have a pavilion with a cement floor where bikes can be parked and 2 open common areas. The Pool Platforms have a fire pit, a covered common area, and are situated next to the pool house (with 2 showers and 2 toilets). The Platform Camp Areas can fit 1-4 riders. One rider should book the Platform, the other rider(s) should book a General Pass Full or Saturday-Sunday Pass, depending on the number of days they will be staying.
There is a special camp set up in the trails! You can also book the Read Run Pavilion and ride your bike and camping gear into the woods! Fair warning: the pavilion is located along the edge of the property, down in the creek hollow, and could be a challenge to get an ADV bike down there and back out again. Dual Sport bikes should have no problem. Just so it is clear, several trails run right past it so there will be some traffic down there during the day. The pavilion has a raised wooden floor and a roof with no walls, measuring approximately 20’x10’. The Read Run Pavilion can fit 1-5 riders. One rider should book the Read Run Pavilion, the other rider(s) should book a General Pass Full or Saturday-Sunday Pass, depending on the number of days they will be staying.
There is a Mini-Ranger Cabin that is rustic with 2 tables, measuring approximately 12’x12’ with a pit toilet next door. The Mini-Ranger Cabin can fit two riders. One rider should book the Mini-Ranger Cabin, the other rider should book a General Pass Full or Saturday-Sunday Pass, depending on the number of days they will be staying.
If you want to camp in your tent/hammock outside of the Group Camp Area there are multiple rustic areas you can set up across the property. These sites are first-come-first-serve and locations will be detailed at check-in of the event. Private Camp Full is used to book the full event but allows the registrant to camp anywhere on the 220+ acre Wildcatters Base Camp (outside of the group camp area). Private Camp Sat-Sun Pass is used to book the partial event but allows the registrant to camp anywhere on the Wildcatters Base Camp (Friday evening camp through Sunday departure).
Don’t want to stay at the Wildcatters Base Camp? There are other lodging options in the area and these are some of the unique AirBnB’s the area has to offer:
Hotel Clarence < - > First Assembly of Oil < - > Kerr Heritage Suites
Optional Motorcycle Training:
DC Dirt Camp will be providing some training at camp! They will have "Intro to Trail Riding" classes available for those who have attended the DC Dirt Camp Level 3 Clutch Capable class and/or Intro to ADV class. They will have bikes to rent for the on-site course or a BYOBike option. Click the link above to check out more info and reach out to [email protected] with any questions!
Presentations:
Mike and Tambra from Cross Adventuring, Joshua Hudson from Ride Safer 724, Matt Kane from the Appalachian ADV Inner Circle, and Scott Phillips from Scott's Amsoil Synthetic Oil Products will have presentations in the evenings at Base Camp. Email [email protected] if you would like to perform an educational seminar at Wildcatters!
A goal of Appalachian ADV Events is to help bring Adventure Tourism into small communities to help support the local economy. A list of local gas stations, grocers, restaurants, and other local attractions will be available via a GPX file that will be sent out prior to the event.
Please review our FAQs for answers to common questions including our definitions of ADV Skill Levels and Terrain Ratings.
Appalachian ADV is an outfitters and guides permit holder with the USDA USFS ANF.
Appalachian ADV is a Recreational Promoter Charter with the American Motorcyclist Association. Membership is not required to attend our Sanctioned events but we do encourage you to give them a look and join!
"[Appalachian ADV's] depth of knowledge and experience in ANF and beyond is exceptional!" -Purple Lizard Maps
Friends of the Wildcatters:
Scott's Synthetic Oil Products
What's Included (General & Full Passes):
-5 ADV style All-Skill-Level Routes
-Off-Road rides on the Wildcatters Property for the whole family
-Access to the Magic Bus Food Truck on the property
-Access to the showers, flush toilets, pit toilets, fire pits, picnic tables, pavilions (except the Read Run Pavilion that can be booked for lodging)
-Goodie Bags for all from our Sponsors
-Door Prizes
-Educational Seminars
-Tent camping in the Group Camp Area (arrive Thursday, depart Sunday)
-The option to book other lodging options at Base Camp
-The option to partake in the DC Dirt Camp on-site training
-Truck/Trailer parking
-Rider support and recovery services
-Tons of family-friendly activities in the local area
-The Wildcatters Photo Dump...Appalachian ADV sets up a shared folder so ride participants can upload and download shared pictures!
Saturday-Sunday Passes:
Includes above General Pass list with an exception. Riders can check in and utilize the Group Camp Area Friday evening with a Sunday departure.
1-Day Pass:
This is a DAY PASS that can be used to enter the Wildcatters Base Camp on any one day of the event. Group Camp and other Base Camp Lodging options as well as access to winning the Door Prizes are not available with this pass. The other items on the above General Pass list are available.
What's Not Included (all passes):
Motorcycle & Insurance
ANF Trail Pass
Gas
Meals
Personal insurance and incidentals
Extra Camping:
If you want to arrive at Wildcatters on Wednesday Evening (after 4pm) &/or stick around camp on Sunday Evening with a Monday Morning Departure (by 9 am), reach out to [email protected] for more details and pricing. There will be a separate registration for these extra days.
TRAIL RIDING ON THE PROPERTY IS NOT AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY OR ON SUNDAY AFTER 1PM.
Notes on the Registration Selections:
- General Pass Full is used to book the full event and includes tent/hammock camping in the Group Camp Area.
- Saturday-Sunday Gen Pass includes camping in the Group Camp Area (Friday evening camp through Sunday departure).
- One registration is required for families booking an RV Power or RV Rustic pass (i.e. spouses and child(ren) only need to register once through RV Power or RV Rustic).
- RV Rustic Sat-Sun Pass is used to book the partial event but allows the registrant to camp anywhere on the Wildcatters Base Camp (Friday evening camp through Sunday departure).
- The Platform Camp Areas can fit 1-4 riders. One rider should book the Platform, the other rider(s) should book a General Pass Full or Saturday-Sunday Pass, see above descriptions.
- The Read Run Pavilion can fit 1-4 riders. One rider should book the Read Run Pavilion, the other rider(s) should book a General Pass Full or Saturday-Sunday Pass, see above descriptions.
- The Mini-Ranger Cabin can fit two riders. One rider should book the Mini-Ranger Cabin, the other rider(s) should book a General Pass Full or Saturday-Sunday Pass, see above descriptions.
- The RV Power, Platform Camp Areas, Mini-Ranger Cabin, and Read Run Pavilion will only be available to book for the full event.
- Private Camp Full is used to book the full event but allows the registrant to camp anywhere on the 220+ acre Wildcatters Base Camp (outside of the group camp area).
- Private Camp Sat-Sun Pass is used to book the partial event but allows the registrant to camp anywhere on the Wildcatters Base Camp (Friday evening camp through Sunday departure)
- If you decide to stay off property for the Wildcatters Rally you will need to purchase a General Pass Full, Saturday-Sunday Pass, or 1-Day Pass depending on how much time you will be spending at the event (see above descriptions).
- The 1-Day Pass is a DAY PASS that can be used to enter the Wildcatters Base Camp on any one day of the event. Group Camp and other Base Camp Lodging options as well as access to winning the Door Prizes are not available with this pass. The other items on the General Pass list above are available.
- Children 17 & Younger - Please select the appropriate number of children with your registration (there is no extra fees, for tracking purposes)
Participants will receive email communications prior to the event with more information including event schedules, general rally information, etc. Email [email protected] with any questions.