Pinchot State Forest

Pinchot (pin·show) State Forest comprises approximately 50,000 acres in the North Eastern counties of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Wayne.

Pinchot State Forest is named in recognition of Gifford Pinchot's monumental contributions to forestry and his legacy of forest land conservation. He was an important figure in the American conservation movement tripling the nation’s forest reserves, protecting their long-term health for both conservation and recreational use.

The Pinchot State Forest is Spread across 8 Unique Tracts and 3 Recreation Areas:

Tracts

• Crystal Lake
• Elmhurst
• Harvey's Creek & Avondale
• Laurel Run &Deep Hollow
• Mocanaqua & Wanamie
• Montage
• Moosic Mountain
• Thornhurst

Recreation Areas

• Manny Gordon
• Moon Lake
• Seven Tubs

For more information visit the Pinchot State Forest Website.

Geography:

Most of the state forest lands of the Pinchot District are forestlands that characterize many of the mountainous areas near the confluence of the Susquehanna and Lackawanna rivers, Pocono Plateau, Northern Ridge and Valley, and the Glaciated High Plateau. The state forest is split evenly between the Susquehanna watershed and Delaware-Mid Atlantic Coastal watershed and contains a number of both exceptional value and high quality waterways.

There are many unique natural features of interest throughout the Pinchot State Forest, including:

Waterfalls & Features

• Choke Creek Falls-Thornhurst Tract
• Rattlesnake Falls-Montage Tract
• Seven Tubs Geological Feature

Vistas

• Tillbury Knob-Avondale Tract
• Montage Mountain Overlook
• Pine Run Vista - Thornhurst Tract
• Mocanaqua Overlooks
• Joe Palooka Overlooks - Crystal Lake Tract

Large Rock Features

• Mocanaqua

Unique Ecosystems

• Spruce Swamp Natural Area

Recreation:

• Hunting - All tracts except Recreation Areas
• Camping
• Primitive Camping - All tracts except for Recreation Area
• Designated Camping - Moon Lake & Manny Gordon Recreation Areas, Thornhurst Dispersed Sites
• Hiking - Trails at Thornhurst, Seven Tubs, Laurel Run, Moon Lake, Mocanaqua, Elmhurst
• Mountain Biking - Featured Location is Moon Lake Recreation Area
• Fishing
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Horseback Riding
• Snowmobiling
• Scenic Overlooks, Drives, and Vistas
• Bird Watching

For trail maps visit the Pinchot State Forest Map webpage.

Pinchot State Forest is managed primarily for dispersed recreation and facilities are generally limited. There are non-reservable pavilions at both Moon Lake and Manny Gordon Recreation Areas where fires rings and restrooms are also available.

The Pinchot State Forest Resource Management Center and Thornhurst Maintenance Headquarters provide information, maps, and other resources.

Parking and trailheads are available throughout the forest.

Note: This page is for Pinchot State Forest (Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming Counties). For information and inquiries on Gifford Pinchot State Park (York County) please visit their page at: https://dcnrvolunteers.pa.gov/agency/detail/?agency_id=167283 or email directly: giffordpinchotsp@pa.gov

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.