Tuscarora State Forest

Open — Open year-round for camping with reservations available up to 11 months in advance. Campfires are prohibited March 1 through May 25 without authorization from the District Forester. State forest roads are not plowed in winter, so motorized camping access is not guaranteed during snow season.

About

Tuscarora State Forest spans 96,025 acres across the ridge and valley region of southcentral Pennsylvania, named for the Tuscarora Mountain and the Iroquois tribe that once inhabited the area. The forest offers approximately 55 primitive motorized roadside campsites marked with red fiberglass posts, providing a true backcountry experience without developed facilities or modern conveniences. Camping options include traditional roadside pull-off sites accessible by vehicle, roadside hike-in sites requiring a short walk from parking areas, and the Showaker Camping Area with five equestrian-specific sites featuring hitching posts and manure pits. Most sites may include a fire ring, picnic table, and off-road parking, though amenities vary. All designated sites require advance reservations through the Pennsylvania State Parks system, with stays limited to seven consecutive nights. The forest features diverse recreation opportunities including 23 miles of the Tuscarora Trail, over 167 miles of additional trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, plus 100+ miles of winter snowmobile trails. The terrain consists of steep rocky ridges and narrow valleys covered in majestic oak and hemlock forests. Notable natural areas include the Hemlocks Natural Area with virgin hemlock and the unique Hoverter and Sholl Box Huckleberry Natural Area containing a 1,300-year-old plant colony. Wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing are popular activities in this remote mountainous landscape.

Directions

From PA 274 in Blain, turn south at the east end of town, then drive one-quarter of a mile. Turn right after the bridge onto Fowlers Hollow Road and follow it for 5.7 miles to the park.

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