Elk State Forest
Who We Are
Elk State Forest encompasses more than 217,000 acres of northern hardwood and mixed oak forests, mainly in Elk and Cameron counties. It derives its name from the great number of elk that once thrived in the area. Today, a large portion of Pennsylvania’s wild elk herd still resides in the area from Benezette east to the Hicks Run watershed.
For more information visit the Elk State Forest website or
Elk State Forest is one of the eight forest districts in the PA Wilds region. The area is characterized by deep river valleys, steep sidehills, long views from the many vistas, and high-quality stands of hardwoods on the ridgetops.
Hiking, horseback riding, sightseeing, elk viewing, hunting and fishing are all popular on the Elk State Forest. In the winter, there are approximately 100 miles of maintained snowmobile trails and 23 miles of cross-country ski trails.
For trail maps visit the Elk State Forest Maps webpage
The Elk State Forest is managed primarily for dispersed recreation and facilities are generally limited. Hicks Run campground is located approximately 2 miles from the intersection of Hicks Run Road and SR 555
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.
