Elk State Forest

Stay Alert for ATVs on Roads

Tiadaghton State Forest participates in the ATV Pilot program, which includes some PennDOT and township roads in addition to legal opportunities on state forest trails and roads.

Motorists are advised to stay alert for ATVs, crossings, and signage.

Please see the 2023 ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot map to view the pilot route.

Dust Advisory for ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot

Roads are exceptionally dusty due to extremely dry conditions. To help minimize this issue, please consider these actions:​

• Ride in small groups to keep dust down.
• If you are part of a large group, please consider postponing your ride until a later date.
• Opt to ride only the state forest trail system.

The Regional ATV Connector Pilot is a partnership between local municipalities, PennDOT, and DCNR to make long distance riding opportunities available.

It takes all of these partners to make these connections possible, so reducing impacts during these extreme conditions is very important to the long-term sustainability of the program.

Snowmobile Trail Closure -- Dividing Line Trail

The 1.2-mile Dividing Line Trail, located north of Lucullus and east of the Coudersport Pike Snowmobile Trail, is closed indefinitely.

E-Bikes on Pine Creek Rail Trail

Please be aware only Class 1 E-bikes are permitted for use on the Pine Creek Rail Trail. Please be courteous of other trail users and practice good trail etiquette.

Class 1 E-bikes are permitted on approved mountain bike trails and roads, provided they meet all the following standards:

• Electric motor less than 750 watts
• Fully functional pedals
• Weight not exceeding 75 lbs.
• Maximum speed less than 20 mph
• Does not have capacity to be completely self-propelled (must be pedaled to engage electric motor)

Class 2 and 3 E-bikes are not permitted on trails and roads in state forests.

Don’t Move Firewood

To help protect the forest from invasive insects that can kill trees and devastate the ecosystem, please do not transport firewood over long distances.

Firewood can harbor insects such as emerald ash borer. Cut or purchase your firewood where you intend to burn it.

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.

The​ Bureau of Forestry has revised the Elk State Forest Resource Management Plan.

A district-level state forest management plan is written for each of the bureau’s 20 forest districts across the state. View the the Elk State Forest Resource Management Plan (PDF).

View Elk State Forest’s 2024 management activities (PDF) for upcoming projects and events to implement the State Forest Resource Management Plan.

Local state forest harvest schedules promote and maintain desired forest landscape conditions while providing a sustainable flow of forest products.

The Bureau of Forestry has adopted “ecosystem management” as its principal strategy for managing state forests. This approach seeks to conserve the natural patterns and processes of the forest while advancing long-term sustainability.

Ecosystem management promotes the conservation of plant and animal communities and the landscapes and habitats that support them. It also accounts for needs and values of people and communities.

This results in a holistic, integrated approach to managing forest resources.

As you travel throughout the state forest, you’ll see examples of our forests “at work.” Some of these management practices are more noticeable than others, such as

• Active timber harvests
• Deer exclosure fences
• Natural gas drilling sites
• Prescribed fires
• Spongy (formerly gypsy) moth spraying

Others are subtle, such as:

• Protection of a vernal pool
• Buffering of a stream from timber harvesting
• Designating a special area to conserve its wild character or protect a rare plant community

Each of these management practices and activities play a vital role in the management and conservation of our state forest system.

Pennsylvania’s 2.2-million-acre state forest system is one of the largest dual certified forests in North America. The forest is certified under Forest Stewardship Council™ and Sustainable Forestry Initiative© standards.

The Forest Stewardship Council™ is an independent organization supporting environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative©​ certification focuses on protection of water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk, and forests with exceptional conservation value.

​Dual certification ensures that Pennsylvania’s state forests are managed to the highest third-party standards.