Who We Are
Description:
Buchanan State Forest is named in honor of James Buchanan, fifteenth President of the United States. Buchanan State Forest covers 72,286 acres in Franklin County, Fulton County, and Bedford County. Buchanan’s woodlands straddle the ridges of southcentral Pennsylvania and are comprised mainly of mixed oak.
For more information visit the Buchanan State Forest website.
Recreation:
Hiking, horseback riding, sightseeing, hunting and fishing are all popular on the Buchanan State Forest. There are over 200 miles of hiking trails including portions of the Mid State Trail, Tuscarora Trail, and Standing Stone Trail. The forest hosts ATV trails in Fulton and Bedford counties that are open for summer riding. In the winter, there are snowmobile trails available in each county.
Campsites in the Buchanan State Forest are singular, remote sites dispersed throughout the forest. There are no amenities. Some require a walk-in, while others are directly accessible by vehicle.
For trail maps visit the Buchanan State Forest Map webpage.
Facilities:
There are many miles of trails and roads throughout the Buchanan State Forest that can be used to access different facilities and points of interest. Of note are four well-maintained picnic areas.
Bear Valley Picnic Area is secluded between Broad Mountain and Kittatinny Mountain away from traffic and hubbub. Picnic tables, pavilions, fireplaces and grills, horseshoe courts, playground equipment, latrine, and fishing are available.
Sideling Hill Picnic Area Sideling Hill Picnic Area is at the summit of Sideling Hill Mountain, Fulton County. Available are picnic tables, pavilions, fireplaces, horseshoe courts, playground equipment, a large open field, latrine and areas for throwing a frisbee or ball.
Sweet Root Picnic Area is one mile north of Chaneysville in southern Bedford County and offers a cool place to enjoy lunch under tall pines. There are picnic tables, pavilions, latrine, fireplaces and grills available. The picnic area adjoins the 1,526-acre Sweet Root Natural Area. You can walk along Sweet Root Trail through the Sweet Root Gap and the remnants of the once majestic hemlocks, lush ferns and rushing mountain brook. This trail also connects to the Mid-State Trail.
Blankley Picnic Area takes us into the mountains of southern Bedford County, at the summit of Rainsburg Mountain. Available are picnic tables, pavilions, fireplaces, grills and latrines.
Additionally, there is an interpretive trail area located along Oregon Road at the former site of the Civilian Conservation Corp Camp. Historical information including maps, photos, a guide to hike around the site, and a kiosk are found there.
What We Do
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry manages our state forests for their long-term health and productivity while conserving native wild plants.
These forests are managed as “working forests” and provide a suite of uses and values to Pennsylvania citizens, while maintaining the forest’s wild character.
Our state forests are managed for:
- Pure water
- Recreation
- Scenic beauty
- Plant and animal habitat
- Sustainable timber and natural gas
- Many other uses and values
The management of our state forests is guided by the State Forest Resource Management Plan
