Allegheny National Forest

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Nature and Outdoor Recreation

Open skies, rolling mountains, and forest abound in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF), Pennsylvania's only National Forest. Established in 1923, the ANF covers 517,000 acres. The Allegheny National Forest's motto "Land of Many Uses" speaks to the balance of outdoor recreation, watershed protection, wildlife habitat management, and sustainable forestry practices. The ANF contains an 87-mile meandering northward segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NST). (Photo by: Leslie DeVore)

Things to do

Camp

Spend the Night

The Allegheny National Forest offers over 15 campgrounds with more than 1,000 sites, and rustic cabins with amenities ranging from full service with electricity and showers to primitive. Pictured: Late Autumn weekend camping off of FR 160 near Jakes Rocks in the Allegheny National Forest.

Get Active

Outdoor Recreation

The ANF is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, with endless outdoor recreation opportunities, ranging from camping and kayaking, to camping, hiking and mountain biking. The ANF is known as “Trail Central” with hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing, horse trails, ATV Trails, and snowmobile trails.

Did you know?

On September 24, 1923, U.S. President Calvin Coolidge signed a proclamation establishing the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). To this day, the Allegheny National Forest – often called “the ANF” – is the only national forest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

That means that 2023 is the 100th anniversary, or centennial celebration, for the ANF!

Special events and activities are being planned. Learn more here!

Note: Class 1 e-bikes are now permitted on the Jakes Rocks Trail System in the Allegheny National Forest.

Plan Ahead & Prepare

 

Be prepared before traveling. Learn about the areas you plan to visit. Look up how to get there, what facilities are available, local terrain, rules and regulations, what communities are nearby and any special concerns for the area.

 

Want to learn how you can be a good steward and prepare for any trip you take in the PA Wilds? Visit the “Plan Ahead and Prepare” page of the PA Wilds Leave No Trace Initiative.

 

We invite you to lose (or find!) yourself in the Pennsylvania Wilds lifestyle: a slower pace where the way of life is intertwined with nature and stewardship. Whether you’re new to the region or a lifelong resident, the region’s remoteness can be both awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Plan ahead and consider the 7 principles of Leave No Trace so you have a positive experience while ensuring that others can do the same.

Reserve

Camping in the ANF

Hike

Hit the Trails in the ANF

Drive

Cruise the Longhouse Scenic Byway

Fishing

An Angler's Paradise

ATV

More than 100 miles of ATV trails

Snowmobile

300 Miles of Groomed Trails

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