Weiser State Forest

Overview

Brochure InfoWeiser State Forest is located in the ridge and valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Named for the frontier diplomat, Conrad Weiser, the forest covers over 30,000 acres on over a dozen tracts throughout the region. The Weiser Forest District includes Dauphin, Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, and Schuylkill Counties. For more information visit the Weiser State Forest website and Facebook page.Brochure Info - OrientationMost tracts of the Weiser State Forest are located on ridge and valley terrain. Access can be challenging; some tracts are accessible only by foot. The Weiser State Forest is mostly within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in eastern PA. It is dominated by oak forests with a main composition of chestnut and red oaks. Some areas include large portions of pitch pine-scrub oak forests which provide valuable habitat. There are many other unique natural features throughout the state forest and some are even designated for their importance as State Forest Natural Areas. The Jakey Hollow Natural Area includes a tract of old growth eastern white pine, hemlock, oak, and other hardwoods. The Sheets Island Archipelago supports many resident and migratory species of waterfowl and songbirds. Visitors are sure to observe other interesting plant and wildlife in the many diverse ecosystems. The Weiser State Forest has oversight on over 500 river islands on all three branches of the Susquehanna River which lies within the district boundary. The islands located on the middle section of the main branch, Sunbury to Harrisburg, are part of the Susquehanna River Trail Middle Section. Some tracts also contain some evidence of past coal mining. These areas are of historical interest and some trails were even developed by miners as they traveled to and from work. For maps of these trails and areas visit the Brochure Info - RecreationThe Weiser State Forest offers a wide variety of low-density recreational opportunities. Since the state forest land is broken up into thirteen tracts covering five counties there is a wide spectrum of forest visitors. The more common recreational activities are: mountain biking, hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking\canoeing and motorized, roadside camping. The Weiser is a premier destination for mountain biking in particular. The Rattling Creek Trail System located in the Haldeman Tract has even been designated an Epic trail system by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). An extensive single-track system is also found in the Roaring Creek Tract. Equestrians will find rewarding riding opportunities in the Haldeman where the equine camping area is located. There are several hiking destinations to note including several unique trails in the Roaring Creek Tract, the Split Rock Trail in the Haldeman, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail which enters some of the smaller, ridge top tracts. Camping in the Weiser State Forest is a great way to get away from it all and spend a night in the great outdoors. The designated, roadside campsites are identified by signpost and campsite name. They are remote, designated sites with no amenities other than a fire ring and picnic table.Brochure Info - Facilities and RestrictionsThe Weiser State Forest is managed primarily for dispersed recreation and facilities are limited throughout. It does offer the Rowland, Minnich’s Hit, and C.Q. McWilliams State Forest Picnic Areas where restrooms, pavilions, picnic tables, and charcoal grills are provided. In addition to the more remote and primitive trails, the Roaring Creek Trail is improved and ideal for families. It offers restrooms and well-maintained parking areas. There are also twelve designated roadside campsites and several equine camping sites available in the Weiser State Forest. These permanently located sites contain a parking pad, picnic table, and fire ring.Brochure Info - Nearby AttractionsNearby attractions include Swatara, Locust Lake, Tuscarora, Memorial Lake, Lehigh Gorge, Hickory Run, Beltzville, Shikellamy, and Milton State Parks. Additionally there are two Conservation Areas: Boyd Big Tree and Joseph E. Ibberson. Other notable recreation opportunities include numerous State Game Lands for hunting, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and Susquehanna River Trail.Key InfoOccupants are also subject to the following permit conditions: 1. Campfires, when permitted, require that adequate precautions be taken to prevent the spread of fire into the forest. All other fires are prohibited. Campfires shall be attended at all times. Campfires in both fire rings and in fireplaces are prohibited when the forest fire danger is determined by the Department to be High, Very High, or Extreme and between March 1 through May 25 without authorization from the District Forester or designee. This prohibition does not apply to self-contained camp stoves when used in a safe manner. A person causing a wildfire, in addition to possible criminal penalty, is liable for all damages, costs of extinction and fines. 2. Dead and down wood may be gathered and burned when permitted but may not be removed from the site. Power tools and chain saws are not permitted. 3. Destruction of Property, damaging, defacing, or removing any sign, structure, equipment or other material is prohibited. 4. Occupants shall include at least one person 18 years of age or older. This permit may not be reassigned or transferred. 5. Pets are permitted on State Forest land if they are kept under control and attended at all times. Manure and pet waste must be disposed of properly. 6. Disorderly conduct including the following is prohibited. Fighting or other behavior that is threatening, violent or tumultuous; using obscene language or making obscene gestures; creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which does not serve a legitimate purpose of the actor; creating an unreasonable noise that may disturb other visitors to State Forest land. 7. Sanitation and Food Storage:Washing in a water outlet, spring, lake or waterway and discharging trailer, camper or motor home sewage, sink or bath water on or into ground or surface waters is prohibited. Toilets must be used where provided. In other locations, self-contained toilets must be used when required or human waste deposited in hole 4-6 inches deep, 200 feet from water, campsite, or trails and covered and disguised. Food must be stored properly to prevent interaction with wildlife. Littering or disposal of garbage, paper, household refuse, waste or other material is prohibited. 8. Parking which obstructs a gate, road, trail, footpath, bicycle path, access way, entrance, exit or road turnaround on State Forest land is prohibited. Parking in area designated for a person with a disability, by the Department, is prohibited unless the vehicle has a valid plate or valid placard. 9. Cutting, picking, digging, damaging or removing a living or dead plant, vine, shrub, tree or flower on State Forest land without written authorization of the District Foresters or a designee is prohibited. Edible wild plants or plant parts may be gathered without authorization if they are gathered for own personal or family consumption. 10. Removing or disturbing historical or archeological resources from State Forest land without written authorization of the District Forester or a designee is prohibited. 11.Target Shooting with firearms, bows arrows or devices capable of launching projectiles, causing injury to persons or property is prohibited. This includes paintball guns. Violations: Violations of forest rules and regulations, or violations of a condition of this permit could result in any or all of the following consequences: 1. The permit may be revoked. This would result in the occupants being required to vacate the facility immediately. 2. The occupants may be required to leave the forest. 3. The occupants may be cited for a violation of the forest rules and regulations, a summary offense. 4. The occupants are responsible for any damage to campsite and related facilities that occurred during or due to their occupancy.Important Information for Daily EntranceDirectionThe Weiser State Forest Resource Management Center is located in the Roaring Creek Tract along PA-42 between Aristes and Numidia. GPS: 40°49'58.3"N 76°19'57.7"WBooking Window Product InfoFee Cancellation DescPlease read our Fees and Cancellation Policies