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The Michaux State Forest
Information:
Michaux State Forest:
Forest Specification
Date Established:
1902
Forest Area Coverage:
Total Area:
85,000 acres, (132 square miles or 340 squar kilometers)
Forest Drainage:
Rivers:
Pennsylvania Primary:
none
Pennsylvania Secondary:
Yellow Breeches Creek flows to Susquehanna River
Pennsylvania Secondary:
Mountain Creek Flows to Yellow Breeches
Pennsylvania Secondary:
Conococheague Creek flows to the Potomac River
Pennsylvania Secondary:
Antietam Creek flows to the Potomac River
Forest Elevations:
High Elevatin:
2,093 feet
Snow Mountain Peak
Lowest Elevation:
430 feet
East Branch Conococheague Creek
Average Elevation:
938 feet
Forest Type:
Dry oak-heath forest
located at northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Forest Tree Species:
Dominant Species:
oaks
Other Harwood Species
red maple, black birch, black gum, tulip trees
Other Evergreen Species
pitch pine, Virginia pine, eastern white pine
Forest Status
Second-growth forest
Headquarters Location:
Address:
10099 Lincoln Way
City, State:
Fayetteville, Pennsylvania
Phone:
1-717-352-2211
Coordinates:
39.911944, -77.563611
Elevation:
866 feet
Geographical Region:
Appalachian Mountains
Description:
Biome:
Eastern Temperate Forests
Dry oak-heath forest
Fauna:
Mammals:
The forest is a critical refuge for species like the ruffed grouse, eastern brook trout, both of which have inhabited the area for millennia. Large white mammals include white-tailed deer, black bears and red foxes. Also found in Michaux are beavers, porcupine, raccoon, skunk and various squirrels (red, gray, and fox). Bobcats have been spotted in the region.
Birds:
This forest, especially on South Mountain has been designated as an Audubon important bird area due to its high breeding densities of core-forest species.
Songbirds include: Scarlet tanagers, wood thrushes, hooded warblers, ovenbirds, indigo buntings, and northern parulas.
Raptors and Owls include: Broad-winged hawks, barred owls, and great horned owls.
Game Birds: Wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, and American woodcock.
Water Birds: Common loons, various ducks.
Amphibians and Reptiles
Amphibians: Spring peepers, wood frogs, American toads, and various salamanders including spotted, marbled, and northern slimy salamanders.
Reptiles: Timber rattlesnakes, northern black racers, eastern ratsnakes, and common garter snakes.
Fish:
Native species: Eastern brook trout.
Other species: Largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill, and stocked trout in areas
Flora:
Oak-heath forest including the low growing Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia) near rocky outcrops.
The Meeting of the Pines natural area is the only location in Pennsylvania where White, Pitch, Virginia, Table-mountain, and Shortleaf pines grow together.
Relic Northern Hardwoods: Beartown Woods preserves species more typical of New England, such as Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch, American Beech, and Eastern Hemlock.
Shrubs: Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron are abundant, typically peaking in early to mid-June.
Orchids: Notable species include the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain, Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain, and the inconspicuous Cranefly Orchid (Tipularia discolor).
Berries: Wild blueberries and black elderberry are common along trails like the Hosack Run loop.
Spring Ephemerals: Recently observed blooms (May 2026) include Meadowrue, Butterflyweed, and native Pink Lady Slippers.
Forest Amenities
Boating:
Electric motors only
Long Pine Run Reservoir
Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Laurel Forge Pone (kayaking and canoeing)
Campground and Dispersed Camping:
Motorized Camping
Reservation required and a $10 fee per night.
46 designated sites, must stay at numbered sites
Backpacking/primitive Camping
No permit required for stay of 1 night per site.
Campground Area
Several State Parks have numbered campsites with amenities
Fishing:
Hiking Trails:
Michaux Forest has over 100 miles of hiking trails
Appalachian Trail
White Blaze hiking only
37 miles traverses the Michaux Forest
Flat Rock Trail System
38 miles
Rocky Knob Trail
Beaver Trail
Buck Ridge Trail
6 mile connecting Kings Gap to Pine Grove Furnace SP
Trail Marking
Yellow/Orange for Hiking only
Red for Hiking, Biking, Horse riding
Blue for Cross-country skiing and hikine
Wilderness Area:
The Ancients
First Migration
(The Algonquian Cultures)
The Earth
The Modern Man
Calidonia State Park
(39.9087811, -77.4779560
Pine Grove Furnace
(40.0275448, -77.30979701)
The Steps
Steps Afoot
Appalachian Trail in Pennaylvania
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Steps Afield
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