Outdoor Recreation

May 6, 2020

Allegheny National Forest to Begin Reopening

The Allegheny National Forest will begin a phased reopening of campgrounds and recreation sites beginning May 8, 2020. This phased approach will prioritize the health and safety of employees, visitors and volunteers, and is in alignment with current federal, state and local guidance for social distancing. 

May 4, 2020

DCNR Plans for Reopening Some State Park, Forest Facilities

DCNR is undertaking a phased reopening of Pennsylvania state park and forest facilities in keeping with Governor Wolf’s guidance and direction. Learn more about the schedule for reopening state park and forest facilities.

May 1, 2020

Will COVID-19 Affect Hunting Season?

Outdoorsman Beau Martonik notes that while the Pennsylvania Game Commission has indicated it will not be cancelling hunting seasons amid COVID-19, including the Spring Gobbler season, it doesn’t mean we should operate as “normal."

April 24, 2020

Of Earth and Trees

After many weeks of quarantine, it has never been clearer. Oh, how we need our earthly treasures! Our earth and trees do so much for us, but they need our help.

April 22, 2020

Earth Day and The Wilderness Act: Deep Roots in the Pennsylvania Wilds

It was 50 years ago, April 22, 1970, that our annual observance of Earth Day began with 20 million people demanding change for a cleaner, healthier, sustainable environment. However, there was another environmental movement underway long before that, beginning right here in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds, by Tionesta’s Howard Zahniser. He wrote the 1964 National Wilderness Act that directed Congress to establish and protect wilderness areas on national forest land.

April 14, 2020

Surviving with the Kids at Home

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone is encouraged to stay at home right now. Many of you are off work, and if you have kids, they’re off school, and that turns this into a whole new sort of survival situation. But there are a few ways to keep your children busy at this time. I’ve been teaching my son Paul, age 5, basic survival skills.

April 10, 2020

ANF Issues Emergency Closure Order, Mandates Group-Size Limitation

The Allegheny National Forest has issued a closure order to prohibit all fires, overnight camping, and mandating a group-size limitation of 10 people or less per group across the entire Forest effective April 6, 2020.

April 8, 2020

PA Trout Season Now Open: Anglers must abide by social distancing guidelines

Effective on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), in consultation with the Office of the Governor, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) opened the statewide 2020 trout season. Anglers and boaters must abide by social distancing guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

April 2, 2020

DCNR Provides Guidance on Outdoor Activities During Coronavirus Outbreak

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn reminds Pennsylvanians that being outdoors is good health care and self care, but recommendations for social distancing to slow the spread of the coronavirus still apply.

February 26, 2020

Shed Hunting for Mountain Bucks

Throughout the winter, whitetail bucks will shed their antlers. From late February through April, looking for shed antlers is something that outdoorsman Beau Martonik looks forward to every year.