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.
Snow Squall Warning issued December 30 at 12:10AM EST until December 30 at 12:30AM EST by NWS Pittsburgh PA
At 1209 AM EST, a dangerous snow squall was located over Scott Township, or over Mount Lebanon, moving east at 40 mph. HAZARD...Intense bursts of heavy snow. Gusty winds leading to blowing snow and rapidly falling visibility. Wind gusts up to 35 mph. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes. This includes the following highways... Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 57 and 61. Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 56 and 66. Parkway North between mile markers 1 and 3. Interstate 376 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 50 and 83. Locations impacted include... Pittsburgh, Penn Hills, Mount Lebanon, Bethel Park, Monroeville, Moon Township, McKeesport, West Mifflin, North Side Pittsburgh, Baldwin, Murrysville, Scott Township, Wilkinsburg, Whitehall, Robinson Township, Munhall, Jefferson Hills, North Versailles, Brentwood, and Swissvale.
Winter Weather Advisory issued December 29 at 9:37PM EST until December 30 at 1:00PM EST by NWS Pittsburgh PA
* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations between 1 and 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...Higher Elevations of Westmoreland and Higher Elevations of Indiana Counties. * WHEN...Until 1 PM EST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact the Tuesday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
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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