Recreation & Health

When we think of trees, we think of many things – beauty, habitat for wildlife, shade, and useful products like firewood and furniture. We probably don’t immediately think of trees as good for our health. But they are!

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Explore PA's Forests

In a Nutshell:

• Explore PA Trails
• Find the biggest and the best
• Practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace
• Pick your passion

Explore PA Trails
One of Pennsylvania’s greatest recreation recreational assets is its system of trails. More than 17,000 miles of trails snake through the state, exposing visitors to the wonders of our forested landscapes. A comprehensive web site is building a searchable database of these trails. Find some near you at www.explorepatrails.com. Because many of Pennsylvania’s trails are multi-use, it’s important to exhibit good trail etiquette so you know how to share the resource.

Find the biggest and the best
We’re not named Penn’s Woods by accident. When William Penn settled the state in the late 1600s, 90 percent of the state was covered by forest. While nearly all those trees are long gone, there are plenty of examples of majestic trees throughout the state.

• Take a driving tour of old growth forests protected within our state forest system.
• Pay a visit to the largest trees in Pennsylvania. Enter them into your GPS navigation and make it a fun search.
• Know of a huge tree that isn’t on the list? Report it to the Pa. Forestry Association’s Big Tree Committee .

Practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace
There is a right way and a wrong way to explore our forests and experience the outdoors. By following Leave No Trace Principles, you are well on your way to being a good steward of our precious natural resources.

• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on how you can minimize your impact on the environment while enjoying our woodlands, go to: http://www.lnt.org/index.php

Pick your passion
There are countless ways to enjoy our forests. From passive activities like wildlife watching to the more extreme sports like ATV riding, our forests offer chances to get away from it all. Which outdoor explorer are you?

Hikers and Backpackers:

• Explore the 18 designated State Forest Hiking Trails.
• Discover shorter, family-friendly trails in our State Parks.
• Find out about the Keystone Trails Association (KTA).
• Help KTA maintain and upgrade trails by becoming a member of KTA’s trail care crew.
• Become a DCNR Conservation Volunteer to maintain or improve local State Forest or Park hiking trails.

Mountain Bikers:

• Find out about mountain bike clubs in your area.
• Join the International Mountain Bike Association.
• Attend an IMBA Sponsored Trailbuilding School.
• Become a DCNR Conservation Volunteer to maintain or improve local mountain biking trails.
• Learn about building sustainable single track trails for mountain bikes.

Horseback Riders:

• Saddle up and explore a DCNR equestrian trail.
• Find out how to become a local trail steward with the Pennsylvania Equine Council (P.E.C.).
• Become a DCNR Conservation Volunteer to maintain or improve local State Forest or Park equestrian trails.
• Do you own a horse or mule and have an interest in maintaining trails? – Contact the P.E.C Trail chairs and schedule a packing training with your animal.

Cross Country Skiers:

• Thousands of miles await your winter explorations.
• Check out winter conditions in our parks and forests and hit the forests and fields.
• Tread Lightly skiing our trails.

Road Warriors:

• Take a ride on DCNR’s Old Growth Auto Tour.
• Locate Elk and other wildlife on the Elk Scenic Drive ESD.
• Discover other scenic drives or learn about  Pennsylvania’s Scenic Byways.

ATV Riders:

• Find places to ride ATVs.
• Enlighten yourself about ATV etiquette.
• Treat the environment right by Treading Lightly.
• Get involved with your ATV.
• Join the PA Off Highway Vehicle Association.

Snowmobilers:

• Explore snowmobile trails on DCNR Lands.
• Tread Lightly while traveling on snowmobile trails.
• Get involved in snowmobiling.
• Seek out the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association.

Wildlife Watchers:

• Locate the best spots to catch a glimpse.
• Follow the construction of the Elk Country Visitor Center, due to open summer 2010.
• Make your reservations for the brand new Nature Inn at Bald Eagle, due to open early summer 2010.