Major city · United States
St. Marys, PennsylvaniaSt. Marys
Give St. Marys one night as a base for the Pennsylvania Wilds, not a destination on its own: two nights only if you are chasing elk or paddling.
St. Marys is a small industrial city of about 13,000 people in Elk County, sitting near the centre of the Pennsylvania Wilds. It was founded by Bavarian Catholic settlers in 1842 and still runs on powdered metal, carbon and beer. There is little to see in town beyond a tiny chapel, a convent and a working brewery; its real value is as a cheap, quiet base for the surrounding state forest, the Clarion River and the elk herd near Benezette. Most travellers pass through in a night or use it as a lunch stop between DuBois and Ridgway.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct; Sep–Oct for elk and foliage
- avoid Jan–Feb (ice, snow, few services open)
- Airports
- STQ · DUJ · ERI · PIT
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for St. Marys, Pennsylvania911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about St. Marys, Pennsylvania, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetySt.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSTQ St.
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealTavern main course$10–24
- BeerBeer at Straub BreweryFree tour; drinks at the Eternal Tap
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedBudget motel or Gunners room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBudget motel or Gunners room, a night, per roomUS$85
- High-end bedBudget motel or Gunners room, a night, per roomUS$110
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- STQ St. Marys Municipal Airport (No scheduled commercial flights; private and charter only.) · DUJ DuBois Regional Airport (About 40 min south by car; limited scheduled service — check current routes.) · ERI Erie International Airport (About 90 min northwest by car; the practical commercial option.) · PIT Pittsburgh International Airport (About 2.5 h southwest by car; the largest nearby gateway.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Sep (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
St. Marys, Pennsylvania: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
15 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
13 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
13 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
13 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town sits where Routes 255 and 120 meet, and the junction at the Diamond — a triangular plot crossed by the railroad and Elk Creek — is genuinely confusing: only southbound Route 255 runs straight through. Take a wrong turn and you loop the block. Beyond the main streets the terrain and odd angles mean few right angles and many dead ends, so use a map app. Fullington Trailways stops at 4th and Depot on its Buffalo–DuBois route if you arrive by bus, but you will still want wheels for the forest.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Benezette and the elk herd
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive Route 255 south then local roads, about 45 min
Best at dawn and dusk in Sep–Oct; the visitor centre explains the herd.
Elk State Forest and East Branch Dam
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive north out of town on local roads, about 30–40 min
Camping, picnicking and a boat launch on a 1,370-acre lake.
Bendigo State Park
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive west toward Johnsonburg, about 30 min
Small park on the Clarion River; swimming and fishing in summer.
Ridgway
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Route 120 west, about 10–15 min
Elk County seat and riverside town; a half-day with lunch.
DuBois
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Route 255 south, about 40 min
Bigger shops and a mall; only worth it if you need supplies.
Allegheny National Forest
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Drive west and north via Ridgway, about 1.5 h
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in the forest or in Kane.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Million Dollar Highway (Route 255 south)
Chain hotels, restaurants and the Walmart strip; car-first, 5–10 min drive from the Diamond.
Downtown around the Diamond
Cobblestone Inn and rooms above Gunners; walkable to the brewery, theatre and local restaurants.
Route 120 east
Quieter motels and the second shopping plaza; useful if you are heading to Emporium.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel double (Best Western, Holiday Inn Express)1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$55 | US$55 |
| Fuel, about 150 km of local driving1 × US$18 | US$18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$260 per person per day, bed included | US$520 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Pizza or sub at a local shop | $4–12 |
| Tavern main course | $10–24 |
| Movie at the Apollo Theatre | $6; $3 children, seniors and matinees |
| Round of golf, walking | $12–40 |
| Beer at Straub Brewery | Free tour; drinks at the Eternal Tap |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Diamond junction is confusing; only southbound Route 255 goes straight through.
- Cell coverage thins out fast in Elk State Forest and around Benezette.
- Elk are wild and large: watch from a distance and never approach for a photo.
- Many downtown businesses close early and some shut on Sundays; plan dinner before 20:00.Many downtown businesses close early and some shut on Sundays; plan dinner before 8:00 PM.
- Winter brings ice and unplowed back roads; check conditions before driving into the forest.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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St. Marys, PennsylvaniaSt. Marys
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in St. Marys; the nearest are in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Check your country's embassy in Washington, DC for consular help.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fuel, St. Marys to Benezette and back: about $10–15
- Fullington Trailways, Buffalo–DuBois route: stops at 4th and Depot; fares vary — check the operator
- Rental car, one day: from about $50 plus fuel
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you (standard English)
- Where is the Diamond? — Where is the Diamond? (the downtown junction)
- Is the brewery open today? — Is the brewery open today? (ask before driving out)
- How far to Benezette? — How far to Benezette? (about 45 min)
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct; Sep–Oct for elk and foliage · avoid Jan–Feb (ice, snow, few services open) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ERI and PIT: last sensible departure times, rental-car desks, and the drive in after dark.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the Diamond, South St. Marys Street, Brusselles Street, and the Million Dollar Highway strip.
- Place pages with verified hours (Straub Brewery, Apollo Theatre, Decker's Chapel, St. Joseph's Convent) and eat pages with last orders.
- Elk-viewing fixtures for Benezette with dawn and dusk windows, plus winter road-closure states.
Sources
- officialCity of St. Marys
- officialSt. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce
- officialStraub Brewery
- officialApollo Theatre
- secondaryWikivoyage: St. Marys (Pennsylvania), revision 4814167 (CC BY-SA 4.0)