public lands user guide
Best Practices for Recreation on pennsylvania’s public lands
Pennsylvania has over 2 million acres of public lands, ranging from national and state forests to state parks and game lands. Each of these is managed by different agencies with unique missions, affecting your riding experience.
Why does this matter?
We all have a duty to respect and steward these lands. Understanding what to expect and what is expected is an essential part of stewardship.
RECREATING RESPECTFULLY & RESPONSIBLY
Respect Others
There are often many different user groups recreating in the same area – cyclists, hikers, equestrians, and motorized sports. Recognize that you may run into people engaging in different activities and enjoying the outdoors in a different way. Please be kind, courteous, and minimally impactful to others.
Respect the land
Engage in the outdoors in a way that has little impact on the natural surroundings. Don’t litter, stay on trail, and don’t ride trails in conditions which will cause extensive harm to the surface (i.e. very wet conditions). Don’t create new trails without explicit permission. Practice Leave No Trace principles.
be safe
Carry first aid and basic tools. Let someone know where you are going. Carry more than one form of navigation if you are in an unknown area (i.e. phone plus paper map or GPS).
know where you are
Know what types of lands you are riding through and the relevant rules and best practices for those lands and for the specific roads and trails you are on. Respect private property and don’t trespass.
Check out Bikepacking Roots’ Love Where You Ride campaign, which was designed for bikepackers but can be adapted and expanded for all cyclists.
pennsylvania’s public lands: a glossary
Allegheny National Forest
Situated on the Allegheny Plateau, the forest is comprised of 514,029 acres in the northwestern corner of the state. The slogan “Land of Many Uses” captures our vision of a healthy, vigorous, working forest that provides timber and wood products, watershed protection, access to underground minerals, ties to cultural history, a diversity of wildlife habitats, and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities - not only today but in a sustainable way so future generations can enjoy these benefits.
state Forests
Pennsylvania’s state forest system comprises 2.2 million acres, divided into 20 forest districts. Many of the best gravel riding opportunities in Pennsylvania occur at least partially in state forests, especially in the central part of the state where large contiguous blocks of forested land and miles of gravel roads allow for long rides without touching much pavement or civilization.
state parks
Pennsylvania has 124 state parks, which typically consist of higher density recreation opportunities and often offer overnight accommodations in campgrounds or cabins. Parks typically have a variety of amenities and are often surrounded by state forests, making them ideal launch points for gravel rides. There is no entrance fee for Pennsylvania State Parks, but there are fees for overnight facilities such as campsites and cabins, as well as to reserve pavilions. Note that state parks typically have a stricter set of rules and regulations than state forests (i.e. no alcohol, limits on nighttime activities).
state game lands
The Pennsylvania Game Commission manages over 1.5 million acres of state game lands with the primary purpose being the management of habitat for wildlife and providing opportunities for public hunting and trapping. Other recreational uses are secondary, therefore more care must be taken when planning bike routes through state game lands. Any road open to public travel by vehicle is fair game on a bicycle, but otherwise it is only permissible to ride a bike on a designated route. Riding on game lands is prohibited (except for Sundays) during certain times of the year that during hunting seasons.
The PGC Mapping Center can assist with route planning and provides information on the seasonality and legality of roads and trails within State Game Lands.
local parks
From small neighborhood and municipal parks to larger county parks, local public lands provide close-to-home recreation opportunities. They are also great places for mid-ride rest stops and amenities. Find a local park near you.
Wear orange during hunting seasons.
Gravel cyclists like to get off the beaten path, where they might be sharing public lands with hunters. It's best practice to wear orange anytime during hunting seasons if you are going to be in the woods, regardless of the type of land you’re on, and especially if you’re riding lesser-travelled roads.
Learn more about navigating hunting seasons in Pennsylvania on the Hunting Seasons page.
