Hiking in Elk State Forest

Elk State Forest offers some of the best opportunities for hikers to enjoy Pennsylvania’s remote and scenic woodlands.

Currently, there are 17 featured trails on the state forest.

State Forest Hiking Trails

Two premier trails are designated State Forest Hiking Trails -- the Bucktail Path and the Quehanna Trail.

Bucktail Path

The Bucktail Path begins near Sizerville State Park and extends southward approximately 34 miles to the village of Sinnemahoning.

The trail can be traversed in short sections, if desired, providing both an enjoyable experience for the beginning hiker and a challenging one for the veteran. Individuals hiking this trail can observe both northern hardwood and oak hickory forest types.

Quehanna Trail

The Quehanna Trail, located in the southern part of Cameron County, loops though the Quehanna Wild Area and surrounding state forest land, covering approximately 17 miles on the Elk State Forest.

The trail continues into the Moshannon State Forest for another 58 miles.

Local District Trails

Other hiking trails of special note in the district are:

Fred Woods Trail

The Fred Woods Trail is a 4.57 mile trail leads hikers to a unique area of large boulders and scenic vistas.

Lower Jerry Run Natural Area Trail

The Lower Jerry Run Natural Area Trail is a 1.1 mile trail that takes you into the headwaters of Lower Jerry Run and the Lower Jerry Run Natural Area, which contains old growth white pine and eastern hemlock.

Sizerville Nature Trail

The Sizerville Nature Trail is a self-guided trail located on state forest land across from Sizerville State Park. A brochure describing numbered sights along the trail is available at the district office and at the trail head.