Buchanan State Forest

Open — Open year-round. Reservations required for roadside and hike-in campsites, available up to 11 months in advance via Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests reservation system. Primitive backpack camping allowed without permit for single-night stays. Campfires restricted March 1 through May 25 without authorization due to wildfire season.

About

Buchanan State Forest covers 72,286 acres of mixed oak woodlands straddling the ridges of southcentral Pennsylvania across Franklin, Fulton, and Bedford Counties. The forest provides rustic camping experiences through designated roadside and hike-in campsites that require reservations, as well as primitive backpack camping opportunities throughout most of the forest land. All campsites are remote and undeveloped, offering natural beauty, dark night skies, and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Motorized camping is permitted only at designated sites, which include singular roadside campsites along dirt and gravel forest roads and roadside hike-in sites accessed by short trails. These sites vary in layout and may accommodate tents, small RVs, or trailers depending on the specific location. Primitive backpack camping is allowed without a permit for stays of one night or less, provided campers stay at least 200 feet from forest roads, 25 feet from trails, and 100 feet from streams. The forest features countless trails, streams, and natural features to explore, making it ideal for experienced campers seeking solitude and backcountry adventure.

Directions

Buchanan State Forest is located in south-central Pennsylvania, with the main office near McConnellsburg in Fulton County. To access the forest, travel along US Route 522 to Great Cove Road, where the main office is found at 25185 Great Cove Road. The forest spans across Bedford, Fulton, and Franklin Counties, and includes several points of interest accessible by various state and local roads.

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