Remember: Leave no trace. Carry out what you carry in. Carry out your apple cores, orange peels, and any other leftover food to avoid attracting wildlife to the trail. Wild animals need to fear humans to remain wild. Look with your eyes only. Protect our biodiversity by staying on marked trails. Be prepared; listen to a weather forecast; wear comfortable, rugged footwear; wear a hat; apply sunblock to exposed skin; carry water, food, jacket, first aid kit, extra socks, toilet paper/plastic bag, and a current map. The maps below will help in planning your trip but best to speak with people familiar with the place you desire to explore as well as to bring a current map. If you use toilet paper carry it out in a plastic bag to keep our woods clean. Consider applying insect repellent to your clothing. You may desire to bring a camera/extra battery/memory card and binoculars.
Trail Care: Generally, trails are maintained by volunteers. There are many opportunities to lend a hand caring for our beautiful trails. To get involved contact a hiking organization
Bureau of Forestry Maps
Displayed by state map of counties. These maps are also available at the state forest offices. At the link click on the specific state forest to find the office location/phone number as well as links to the online maps.
Detailed hiking info by "Scott" @ PAHikes.com including trail map, photos, trail elevation graphs, trail head location, and details of the hike. Be sure to scroll down the pages to see all info.
Covers some trails in PA, MD, VA and WVA; maps, personal trail notes by various hikers. Most of the scheduled hikes are sponsored by the Howard County MD Chapter of the Sierra Club and/or the West VA Highlands Conservancy. Provided here as another source for trail info.
National and State Forest Trails
by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
Scroll down page for links to specific trails with detailed maps. Click on specific trail map for more detail. These maps are old but will give you an idea of trail location, elevation changes, access areas.
Online Guide to Major Trails
PA maps compiled from various websites by Keystone Trails Association.
Scroll down the Online Guide link below the state map to see a list of trails. Click on any trail name for a brief description and to see an orange line locating the trail on the state map. Click on "Read more..." in the popup box for more details such as trail length, difficulty, markings, trail head location, maps, some photos.
Displayed by state map of counties.
DCNR site of state by region. Click on region you desire then scroll page to see list of state parks in that region.
Website includes interactive trail guide with trail maps and directions to birding sites.
Susquehanna Valley Velo Club link includes directions, map, and wildlife you may see. A fellow hiking friend recommends the following hiking route from the parking lot. You are required to sign in; the book is on a post at the edge of the parking lot. "I suggest you start out on the Bluebird Trail, follow it past the interesting ruins of an old estate. Eventually you will come onto a dirt road. The Bluebird Trail goes to your right and leads you quickly back to the parking lot. (Too short a hike for most people). We ALWAYS turn left on that road, and walk on the road some distance until you come to a sign on your right marking a wide, well-worn trail (It might say Racoon Trail or Racoon Mountain). Take that trail up a gentle rise over the mountain and down, being sure to make an incredibly sharp RIGHT turn at the foot of the mountain onto a trail which leads back to the parking lot. If, when you reach the foot of the mountain, and access a trail that follows a stream, you are SURE to make that sharp right (it's almost in the opposite direction from which you come down the mountain) you can't possible get lost after that."
Bicycling Trails
Susquehanna Valley Velo Club - course maps in Central Susquehanna Valley as well as club info.
TrailLink - Maps and info on Rails-To-Trails throughout PA by Rails-To-Trails Conservancy. Nationwide search also possible by changing state. Some starting points more difficult than necessary, ex. Poe Paddy bike trail is accessible by paved road starting at end of Weikert Rd rather than starting in Poe Paddy State Park.
Rails-To-Trails - throughout state by DCNR. Select desired region from list in left column. Maps a bit awkward to use but show trail locations and list trail heads.
Pine Creek Trail - by Tioga County Visitors Bureau. Map shows distances between parking areas. Other maps of trail available from Rails-To-Trails Conservancy and DCNR links noted above.
Ohiopyle State Park - details of The Great Allegheny Passage rails-to-trails through the park. Pit toilets in Confluence only if you are desperate. Pit toilets in Ramcat fine. Real toilets at Ohiopyle Train Station Visitor Center, limited hours though.
The Great Allegheny Passage - Pittsburg to Cumberland, MD when complete. Following the connection with the C & O Canal Towpath one is able to ride from McKeesport, PA (near Pittsburg) to Washington, DC along a 318 mile non-motorized corridor.
Boating & Fishing
PA Boat Commission maps - interactive maps, county guides, region, fishing & boating, water trails.
PA County Maps
Penn DOT County maps
in PDF format. Takes a few seconds for map to download but worth the wait.
Hunting Seasons for Non-Hunters
Useful information provided by PA Forest Coalition regarding various hunting seasons in our area and what to wear to be seen; safety orange visible from 360 degrees. Scroll down link to read all info.
Hunting Seasons in PA
PA Game Commission. There are many hunting seasons in PA.
Zip Maps
Locate zip code boundaries throughout the country. Click on map for closeup or type in zip.
PA zip map
National map
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