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    Bald Eagle State Forest

    ATV and Motorcycle Riding

    East Kettle All-Terrain Vehicle Trail

    The East Kettle All-Terrain Vehicle Trail (PDF) has been designated for summer riding opportunities from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the last full weekend in September, conditions permitting.

    The East Kettle All-Terrain Vehicle Trail is located south of Route 235 and can be accessed via the East Kettle All-Terrain Vehicle Trailhead.

    This trail is roughly 20 miles and navigates old forest roads, trails, logging roads, and skid trails.

    There are some narrow and very rough portions of the trail which may be challenging for new riders.

    The trail is open to Class 1 and Class 2 All-T​errain Vehicles of less than 58 inches wide and less than 1,200 pounds.

    All-Terrain Vehicles must be registered wit​h the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and comply with other regulations.

    Additional information can be found on the department's A​ll-Terrain Vehicle Riding web page

    Motorcycle Riding

    Bald Eagle State Forest has two designated motorcycle trail systems. Other non-motorized trail users may be encountered on these trails such as hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers.

    Share the trail and remember to use trail etiquette. Motorcycles must yield right of way.

    When encountering horses, stop off the trail, shut off the bike, remove your helmet, and wait until horses have passed and are out of sight before starting up.

    Dual Sport Motorcycle Trail System

    The Dual Sport Motorcycle Trail System is located south of Penns Creek between U.S. Route 322 and Route 235. This trail system is for licensed motorcycles.

    All state forest roads and drivable trails mapped on the Bald Eagle State Forest Public Use Map (PDF) are open to licensed motorcycles year-round.

    Trails and gated roads that are blazed and marked purple on the Bald Eagle State Forest Dual Sport Motorcycle Trail Map (PDF) are only open to licensed dual sports from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the last full weekend in September (conditions permitting).

    All trails that are not blazed or marked purple on the map are closed to motorcycles at all times.

    Shade Mountain Off-Highway Motorcycle Trail System

    The Shade Mountain Off-Highway Motorcycle Trail System is open for licensed and unlicensed motorcycles.

    The system is accessed using a trailhead off of Route 235.

    Motorcycles are only allowed on trails that are blazed purple or those shown in red on the Shade Mountain Off-Highway Motorcyc​le Trail System Map, which is ​available at the Bald Eagle State Forest district office.

    All other trails on Shade Mountain are closed to all motorcycles.

    Only licensed motorcycles may ride on Shade Mountain Road. Unlicensed bikes may cross Shade Mountain Road at a 90-degree angle when connecting trails separated by the road.

    The Shade Mountain Off-Highway Motorcycle Trail System is only open for motorcycle use from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the last full weekend in September (conditions permitting).

    For safety and navigating, recreationists in Bald Eagle State Forest should understand the color-coded trail blazes posted on district trails.

    The Bald Eagle State Forest Trail Blaze Guide (PDF) explains the meanings of the shapes and colors of encountered blazes.