Forbes State Forest
Closed — Closed for winter. Motorized roadside campsites operate from April 2 through the last day of regular rifle deer season annually. Forest roads receive no winter maintenance and are not plowed.
Cold Weather Advisory issued January 19 at 1:37AM EST until January 20 at 12:00PM EST by NWS Pittsburgh PA
* WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 17 below zero expected. * WHERE...Portions of east central Ohio, northwest, southwest, and western Pennsylvania, and northern and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. * WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to noon EST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...The cold wind chills as low as 17 below zero could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken.
About
Forbes State Forest encompasses 60,000 acres in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, offering diverse camping opportunities for those seeking a backcountry experience. The forest provides designated roadside campsites located along dirt and gravel forest roads, which can accommodate tents, small RVs, or trailers depending on the site layout. These remote sites have no developed facilities, electric hookups, dump stations, or trash disposal. Primitive backpack camping is permitted throughout most of the forest without a permit for single-night stays, though campers must avoid designated Natural Areas, stay at least 200 feet from forest roads, 25 feet from trails, and 100 feet from water sources. The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail runs through the forest and provides excellent backpacking opportunities. Specific areas such as Roaring Run Natural Area, Mt. Davis Natural Area, and Blue Hole are closed to backpack camping. The forest's terrain includes Laurel Ridge, Mount Davis (Pennsylvania's highest peak), and unique features like the Spruce Flats Bog, a rare high-elevation bog at over 2,700 feet. Forbes State Forest is located approximately an hour from Pittsburgh and serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring the greater Laurel Highlands region.
Directions
From Pittsburgh, access the Laurel Highlands area of Forbes State Forest via Ligonier, entering the forest via Laurel Summit Drive from State Route 30.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 30ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | Yes |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (724) 238-1200 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
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