Pennsylvania State Forests

Tioga State Forest

Tioga features awe-inspiring views and miles of clean, cool streams, and is one of eight state forests located in the Pennsylvania Wilds(opens in a new tab) region.

Tioga State Forest District Office(opens in a new tab)

One Nessmuk Lane
Wellsboro, PA 16901
570-724-2868

Office hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Make a Reservation (opens in a new tab)

Find a Map

distant vista of low clouds in a forested valley

Important Park Alerts & Advisories

Before you head out to explore Tioga State Forest, please take a moment to review the latest alerts and advisories. These updates are crucial for your safety and may impact your plans. Stay informed about trail closures, weather warnings, and other important information to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.

Review Alerts & Advisories

Overview

Tioga State Forest derives its name from the Seneca phrase “meeting of two rivers.” It covers 161,890 acres in:

Bradford County
Tioga County

The forest hosts the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.”

Explore Tioga State Forest

Strait Run Road Closure

Strait Run Road, from the state forest boundary to the intersection of Baldwin Run Road, will be closed Monday, August 12, 2024, through Thursday, August 15, 2024, for pipe replacement.

The section of road is located in Shippen Township, Tioga County, and will be closed to all traffic during this period.

Pine Creek Rail Trail Construction

The Pine Creek Rail Trail will be affected by repair and construction work on the U.S. Route 6 bridge over Marsh Creek starting Monday, April 16, 2024, through Friday, November 8, 2024.

The rail trail will not be closed during this period, but temporary work zones will be established and traffic controls implemented for public safety.

The section of rail trail is located in Shippen Township, Tioga County.

Reservations Required at Asaph and County Bridge Campgrounds

Effective January 1, 2024: If you wish to camp at Asaph or County Bridge, you must reserve your site through the Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests Reservation website(opens in a new tab).

The honor envelope system has been discontinued.

Stay Alert for All ATVs on Roads

Tioga State Forest participates in the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail program, which includes some PennDOT and township roads in addition to designated opportunities on state forest trails and roads.

Motorists are advised to stay alert for all terrain vehicles, crossings, and signage.

Please see the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail GIS Map(opens in a new tab) to view the route.

Dust Advisory for Northcentral Regional ATV Trail

Roads can be exceptionally dusty due to extremely dry conditions. To help minimize this issue, please consider these actions:

Ride in small groups to keep dust down.
If you are part of a large group, please consider postponing your ride until a later date.
Opt to ride only the state forest trail system.

The Northcentral Regional ATV Trail is a partnership between local municipalities, PennDOT, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to make long distance riding opportunities available.

It takes all of these partners to make these connections possible, so reducing impacts during extreme conditions is very important to the long-term sustainability of the program.

Bikes on the Pine Creek Rail Trail

Please be aware only Class 1 E-bikes are permitted for use on the Pine Creek Rail Trail. Please be courteous of other trail users and practice good trail etiquette.

Class 1 E-bikes are permitted on approved mountain bike trails and roads, provided they meet all the following standards:

Electric motor less than 750 watts
Fully functional pedals
Weight not exceeding 100 pounds
Maximum speed less than 20 miles per hour
Does not have capacity to be completely self-propelled (must be pedaled to engage electric motor)

Class 2 and 3 E-bikes are not permitted on trails and roads in state forests.

Don’t Move Firewood

To help protect the forest from invasive insects that can kill trees and devastate the ecosystem, please do not transport firewood over long distances. Firewood can harbor insects such as emerald ash borer.

Cut or purchase your firewood where you intend to burn it.

Wilson Maintenance Division, Parking Access for Snowmobilers

Parking is very limited in the lot across from the Wilson Maintenance Division facility on Colton Road due to construction of new maintenance buildings.

Snowmobilers should plan accordingly and be prepared to find an alternate parking location.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry manages our state forests for their long-term health and productivity while conserving native wild plants. These forests are managed as “working forests” and provide a suite of uses and values to Pennsylvania citizens, while maintaining the forest’s wild character.

Our state forests are managed for:

Pure water
Recreation
Scenic beauty
Plant and animal habitat
Sustainable timber and natural gas
Many other uses and values

The management of our state forests is guided by the State Forest Resource Management Plan.

The Bureau of Forestry has adopted “ecosystem management” as its principal strategy for managing state forests. This approach seeks to conserve the natural patterns and processes of the forest while advancing long-term sustainability.

Ecosystem management promotes the conservation of plant and animal communities and the landscapes and habitats that support them. It also accounts for needs and values of people and communities.

This results in a holistic, integrated approach to managing forest resources.

As you travel throughout the state forest, you’ll see examples of our forests “at work.” Some of these management practices are more noticeable than others, such as:

Active timber harvests
Deer exclosure fences
Natural gas drilling sites
Prescribed fires
Spongy moth (formerly known as Gypsy moth) spraying

Others are more subtle, such as the:

Protection of a vernal pool
Buffering of a stream from timber harvesting
Setting aside of a special area to conserve its wild character or protect a rare plant community

Each of these management practices and activities play a vital role in the management and conservation of our state forest system.

Pennsylvania’s 2.2-million-acre state forest system is one of the largest dual certified forests in North America. The forest is certified under Forest Stewardship Council™ and Sustainable Forestry Initiative© standards.

The Forest Stewardship Council™ is an independent organization supporting environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative© certification focuses on protection of water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk, and forests with exceptional conservation value.

Dual certification ensures that Pennsylvania’s state forests are managed to the highest third-party standards.