Explore Over 160,000 Acres of Scenic State Forest Land in Northeastern PA
Northeastern Pennsylvania is home to some of the most beautiful and accessible state forest lands in the Commonwealth. Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR), over 160,000 acres across the region offer a wide range of outdoor experiences throughout the year. These PA state forest districts—Delaware, Pinchot, and Weiser—span Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties.
Each state forest in Northeastern PA is carefully managed by the Bureau of Forestry to preserve natural habitats, provide sustainable recreation, and support responsible resource use. They also follow PA Game Commission and Fish & Boat Commission regulations for seasonal activities like hunting, fishing, and boating. Whether you’re casting a line in a quiet stream, hiking forested trails, or taking a scenic drive, these protected lands offer unmatched access to nature.
With hundreds of miles of trails, rustic roadside campsites, and abundant wildlife, PA state forests in NEPA are open year-round for exploration. Visitors enjoy hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, and more. Accessible roads and ample parking make them an easy getaway for outdoor lovers seeking quiet escapes or family-friendly adventure. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a multi-day state forest camping retreat, a Northeastern PA state forest is the perfect place to start.
PA State Forest Districts in NEPA
Expansive Wilderness in Pike, Monroe & Carbon Counties
Delaware State Forest spans over 83,000 acres across Pike, Monroe, Carbon, and Northampton Counties and showcases the wild beauty of the Pocono Mountains. This PA state forest features glacial lakes, dense hardwood forests, and wetlands teeming with wildlife. Outdoor lovers can explore miles of shared-use trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling, with 200 miles of trails open year-round. The forest also offers three designated ATV areas, over two dozen roadside campsites, and 13 lakes and ponds for fishing. Seasonal activities like snowshoeing, hunting, and birdwatching make this a four-season outdoor destination.
Popular spots include the Bruce Lake Natural Area with scenic trails and lake views, and the Egypt Meadow Trail, a peaceful fishing and hiking spot near a 48-acre lake. Thunder Swamp Trail System offers 26 miles of diverse hiking terrain, while the Stairway Lake Trail in Milford treats hikers to Delaware River vistas. Camp William Penn Tract and Blooming Grove 4-H Trail provide family-friendly hikes and wildlife viewing. With nearby access to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and state parks like Promised Land and Tobyhanna, Delaware State Forest connects outdoor recreation with some of the region’s most iconic landscapes.
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Rugged Outdoor Escape in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Susquehanna & Wayne Counties.
Covering nearly 50,000 acres across Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming, Susquehanna, and Wayne Counties, Pinchot State Forest offers a rugged outdoor experience across nine forest tracts and three popular recreation areas. Named after conservation pioneer Gifford Pinchot, this PA state forest features hiking trails, scenic overlooks, waterfalls, and quiet spots for fishing and wildlife viewing. The Thornhurst Tract protects the rare Spruce Swamp Natural Area, while the Manny Gordon Recreation Area features the 26-mile Pinchot Trail and the picturesque Choke Creek Falls. Moon Lake Recreation Area, a hub for mountain biking, offers 18 miles of trails, a 48-acre lake, and rustic camping.
Visitors can enjoy year-round recreation, including hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Seven Tubs Recreation Area in Wilkes-Barre draws visitors with its striking glacial potholes and short loop trails. Anglers can fish trout streams or target bass and pickerel at Moon Lake and Ceasetown Reservoir. Designated campsites are available at Moon Lake and Manny Gordon, while boating is welcome on select lakes with non-motorized or electric-powered watercraft. With historic roots and diverse terrain, Pinchot State Forest remains one of Northeastern PA’s top destinations for outdoor adventure.
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Scenic Ridges & Trails in Carbon, Columbia & Schuylkill Counties
Weiser State Forest spans nearly 30,000 acres across 16 tracts in seven counties, with eight tracts located in Carbon, Columbia, and Schuylkill Counties. Positioned along the Appalachian ridge and valley region, this PA state forest offers miles of shared-use trails, scenic forest roads, and access to portions of the Appalachian Trail. Notable natural areas include Jakey Hollow near Bloomsburg, home to ancient white pines and the easy Ward Crawford Trail, and the Penrose Swamp Barrens, a remote 2,700-acre stretch of wetlands and hardwood forests. The Roaring Creek Tract, popular for its 8-mile Roaring Creek Trail, connects to historic mining paths and provides ideal terrain for hiking and biking.
Weiser State Forest offers opportunities for year-round outdoor activities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and winter recreation. The Penn Forest Tract in Carbon County features 11 trails open to horseback riding and cross-country skiing. The Port Clinton Tract supports snowmobiling and is known for Rattling Run, a wild trout stream prized by anglers. Motorized roadside camping is available in select tracts, including five sites in Port Clinton, and backpackers can camp along designated trails. With its rich conservation history and trail connections to state game lands and nearby rivers, Weiser State Forest is a peaceful outdoor retreat in Northeastern PA.
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Plan Your Adventure in a PA State Forest
Whether you’re chasing fall foliage, casting a line in a quiet stream, or trekking miles of scenic trails, each PA state forest in Northeastern Pennsylvania offers something unique. From the waterfalls and glacial lakes of Delaware State Forest to the rugged mountain biking trails of Pinchot and the peaceful ridgelines of Weiser, these wild landscapes are open for year-round exploration.
Each forest is carefully managed to balance recreation with conservation, providing clean water, wildlife habitat, and responsible resource use. With so many acres to explore across NEPA, your next hiking trip, camping weekend, or scenic drive could be just around the corner. Discover your favorite PA state forest and get outside today.
Conservation Tip
By following these responsible outdoor ethics from our friends at DCNR, we can help keep Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests top-tier outdoor recreation destinations for generations to come.
Leave No Trace
- Plan Ahead and Prepare: Know regulations, prepare for weather and emergencies, travel in small groups, minimize waste, and use a map and compass instead of marking trails.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stay on established trails, camp at least 200 feet from water, and avoid damaging pristine areas.
- Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash, use catholes for human waste, and wash dishes 200 feet from water sources with biodegradable soap.
- Leave What You Find: Preserve historical sites, avoid disturbing nature, and prevent the spread of invasive species.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use stoves when possible, keep fires small, burn wood to ash, and fully extinguish campfires.
- Respect Wildlife: Observe from a distance, don’t feed animals, store food properly, and control pets to avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Respect others by keeping noise low, yielding on trails, and camping away from high-traffic areas.
Featured Image (Top) Courtesy of PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources
Article updated from its original version published on 2/21/23.
