About Us

Serving boaters, hikers, backpackers, bicyclists, and visitors for almost four decades, Pine Creek Outfitters, Inc. is one of the oldest family-owned and operated outdoor businesses in North Central Pennsylvania.  Through the years, Pine Creek Outfitters, Inc. has grown by superior customer service, fair prices, and services responsive to its client’s needs.

Chuck and Susan Dillon began Pine Creek Outfitters in January 1984.  In 2011, ownership was transferred to their son, Jon, who managed and operated it until his untimely death in March 2021.  Since that time his wife, Amanda, and his children, Eliana and Lylah, have continued its operation.

Pine Creek Outfitters, Inc. was closely involved in the designation of Pine Creek as part of the Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers System, helped write its management plan, and in the designation of the section of Pine Creek from Galeton to Ansonia as a Class A Waterway.  The business played a key role in the designation and conversion of the old railroad bed in the Canyon to the Pine Creek Rail-Trail.  Over the years, its owners have been active in its township government, local and regional business organizations, formation of the North Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, conducting an annual river cleanup, promoting river safety, and various environmental initiatives.

Our Region:

Located at the northeast gateway of PA Wilds Region, the Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area is the second
largest natural area in Pennsylvania. The National Park Service described Pine Creek Gorge as containing
“superlative scenery, geological and ecological value, and is one of the finest examples of a deep gorge
in the eastern United States.
If you saw a satellite photo of the northeastern United States at night, you would notice a large dark
area in north central Pennsylvania with few light, few people, and few signs of the 21 st century. Most of
the land is State Forests, State Gamelands, or State Parks – almost half of Pennsylvania’s 2 million acres
of State Forest are found here. It is one of the most extensive wilderness regions on the east coast –
only hours away from most metropolitan areas, but uncompromised by proximity to modern civilization.
Our region consists of extensive forests, clean rivers, endless miles of hiking and biking trails abundant
wildlife, and unparalleled scenery.

Pine Creek is a combination of moderate class II whitewater, long quiet pools, and idyllic natural scenery
of towering palisades and dramatic rock outcrops crowned by evergreen forests and cathedral-like
hardwoods. A National Natural Landmark and part of Pennsylvania’s Scenic Rivers System, it offers
boaters a unique, enchanting, and moderately-challenging canoeing, kayaking, or rafting experience.

Along the bottom of Pine Creek Gorge, and extending south through the Pine Creek Valley is the famed
Pine Creek Trail – a rail-trail that has been listed as one of the “Top 10 Places to Bike”, sharing the
designation with places in Ireland, Iceland, Puerto Rico, Italy, and Nova Scotia. Its crushed limestone
bed is very flat and allows cycling through spectacular scenery for people of any age or level of
experience.

Along the rim of Pine Creek Gorge is the scenic West Rim Trail (30 mi.), while the Mid State Trail is found
on sections of the east side of the Gorge. Downstream a few miles is the challenging Black Forest Trail
(43 mi.), and to the west is the 85-mile Susquehannock Trail. These trails offer backpackers better
scenery, better trail conditions, and better solitude than most other trails in Pennsylvania. If you are
just interested in day hikes, the combinations are endless.

We offer the advice, service, and equipment that will help you discover the secret places and stunning
beauty of Pennsylvania’s most spectacular region. Let us help plan your next adventure and introduce
you to a region that will call you back each year, as many of our customers have discovered.