How to navigate Pine Creek Valley area despite Slate Run Road closure

**UPDATE: Slate Run Road has been reopened to traffic as of November 1, 2019.

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has released an advisory indicating the often used Slate Run Road in the Pine Creek Valley & PA Grand Canyon landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds is to be avoided until further notice.

Slate Run Road, located between Route 44 and Route 414 in the northern section of Tiadaghton State Forest, was the site of multiple landslides in 2018 due to the extremely rainy weather, causing the road to be closed off in 2018.

The road is closed from the Manor Fork intersection to the Francis Road intersection, and signs are posted to help travelers navigate the closure.

Travelers looking for adventure in the Slate Run area should use the Francis Road detour as an alternative route when navigating from Route 44.

Although Slate Run Road is the most direct route between the Coudersport Pike Snowmobile Trail and Slate Run village, where travelers can acquire gasoline, food, and lodging, snowmobilers and others can still access Slate Run village via Francis Road. However, the detour is considerably longer.

The closure of Slate Run Road should be noted by snowmobilers and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts used to traveling in the area. The Coudersport Pike Snowmobile Trail, which uses part of Slate Run Road, can no longer be utilized until Slate Run Road is repaired.  Also, this road closure will impact anglers who enjoy fishing the waters not only in Pine Creek, but between Pine and Kettle Creek Watershed, which is accessed from Route 44 (via Slate Run Road when traveling over from Pine Creek).

Please download this fact sheet released by DCNR for additional information, including a copy of the detour map pictured above.

Since being closed in September, the Commonwealth has actively been working toward a remedy for Slate Run Road, including holding consultations, receiving estimates, taking core-samplings and surveying the site. In addition, a design consultant/engineering firm has been selected, and funding in amount of $1.5 million was allocated for the repair project.

UPDATE: In April 2019, it was announced that Lycoming Supply was awarded the bid at $963,184 with estimated start of April 18, 2019. The hope is to finish the project mid-summer.

“DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry continues to work with partners to address technical issues, and hopes to commence repair work as soon as possible,” the DCNR advisory noted.

For more information on navigating this region, contact the Tiadaghton State Forest district office at 570-753-5409.