Pinchot State Forest, PA
Description
Book a Campsite at Pinchot State Forest, PA
** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
*** Some sites may be available only from the campground on a first-come-first-served basis.
Description
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.
Facilities:
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.
Nearby Attractions:
- Nescopeck State Park
- Tobyhanna and Gouldsboro State Parks
- Ricketts Glen State Park
- Lackawanna State Park
- Frances Slocum State Park
- State Game Lands 91, 119, 127, 135, 207
- Bear Creek Preserve –Natural Lands Trust
- Dick and Nancy Eales Preserve –The Nature Conservancy
- Steamtown National Historic Site
- McDade Park & Anthracite Heritage Museum& Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
- D&L Heritage Trail System
- Warrior Run Trail System
Roadside
Mon Apr 29 2024 - Sat Mar 29 2025Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.
State Forest Rustic
Mon Apr 29 2024 - Sat Mar 29 2025Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.
State Forest Rustic Organized Group Tenting
Mon Apr 29 2024 - Sat Mar 29 2025Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.
Season Schedule
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Boat Launch Ramp
- Camping, Backcountry
- Camping, Primitive
- Canoeing
- Disc Golf
- Fire Rings
- Fishing
- Fishing - River/Stream
- Fishing Lake
- Geocaching
- Geological Formations
- Grill
- Hiking
- Hiking Difficult
- Hiking Moderate
- Hiking Trail
- Historic Sites
- Horseback Riding
- Hospital
- Hunting
- Jogging/Running
- Kayaking
- Lake
- Mountain/Trail Bicycling
- Orienteering
- Parking
- Photography
- Picnic Pavilion
- Picnic Tables
- Picnicing
- Recreation Programs
- Restrooms
- Rock Climbing
- Sail Boating
- Scenic Driving Routes
- Seasonal Festivals
- Stargazing
- Town
- Trails Hiking/Walking, Easy
- Trails, Bicycle
- Trails, Difficult Hiking
- Trails, Moderate Hiking
- Trails, Mountain Bike
- Viewing Platform/Overlk
- Walking
- Water Access, River/Stream
- Waterfall
- Wildflower Viewing
- Wildlife Viewing
- river/stream
- trails - equestrian
41.55928, -75.70542
41°33'33"N, 75°42'20"W
District Office
- 41°33'33.4"N 75°42'19.5"W
- 41.559283, -75.705415
- 41°12'28.2"N 75°36'36.7"W
- 41.207832, -75.610193
- 41°15'08.2"N 76°03'22.9"W
- 41.252265, -76.056351
- 41°14'07.6"N 75°48'36.9"W
- 41.235444, -75.810260
- 41°11'40.8"N 75°48'47.3"W
- 41.194666, -75.813144
- 41°21'56.6"N 75°36'03.4"W
- 41.365716, -75.600952
- 41°20'24.9"N 75°30'55.5"W
- 41.340250, -75.515428
- 41°08'53.3"N 76°08'41.2"W
- 41.148136, -76.144763
The Pinchot State Forest Office is 13 Miles North of Scranton.
Seven Miles off of I-81 Take Exit 199 (Scott Exit) and head West.
Follow Signs for Lackawanna State Park/ Pinchot Forest District office
Thornhurst & Manny Gordon
Moon Lake Recreation Area
Seven Tubs Recreation Area
Crystal Lake
Montage
Elmhurst
Mocanaqua