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    Cowans Gap State Park

    Hiking

    13 miles of trails

    Trails vary in difficulty from flat to very steep. Hikers should be in good physical condition, wear sturdy boots, and use caution due to slippery/wet conditions and steep trail sections.

    Cowans Gap State Park Map

    Trail Definitions

    Difficulty Ratings

    Easiest -- For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles.
    More Difficult -- For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface.
    Most Difficult -- For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe.

    Trail Route Type

    Loop -- Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.
    Out-and-back -- Start and end at a trailhead and follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route.
    Point-to-point -- Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle.
    Connector -- Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead.

    Cameron Trail

    0.5 mile  |  More difficult hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  Yellow blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking
    Trailhead amenities: none

    This very steep, boundary trail is on the south end of the park and ends atop Cove Mountain. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built this trail for firefighting access to Buchanan State Forest.

    Doe Trail

    0.2 mile  |  Easiest hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  Yellow blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended
    Trailhead amenities: none

    This short trail connects the Equestrian Parking Lot with Logging Road Trail above Camping Area B.

    Geyer Trail

    0.6 mile  |  Most difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  White blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking
    Trailhead amenities: none

    This rather steep park boundary trail passes through areas of dense mountain laurel and briar. The trail begins off Aughwick Road where it climbs Tuscarora Mountain to connect to the Tuscarora Trail.  

    Horse Trail

    0.5 mile  |  Easiest hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian
    Trailhead amenities: picnic tables

    This short trail connects the Equestrian Parking Lot with Standing Stone Trail/Knobsville Road Trail.

    Horseshoe Trail

    0.72 mile  |  Most difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  White blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking
    Trailhead amenities: none

    This very steep and very rugged trail passes over loose stones on steep slopes and can be accessed from Tuscarora Trail. From there, hikers will climb up Cove Mountain where they can access the scenic overlook on Standing Stone Trail.

    Knobsville Road Trail

    1.6 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian
    Trailhead amenities: none

    This trail overlaps with Standing Stone Trail to take hikers up Cove Mountain, where Standing Stone Trail continues along the ridge. This trail passes by an old landslide and historic CCC site as it takes hikers to a stunning overlook on top of the mountain. It can be accessed off Lakeside Trail or Parking Lot #4.

    Lakeside Trail

    1.45 miles  |  Easiest hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Yellow blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, cross-country skiing recommended
    Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches

    This scenic, nearly-level trail can be accessed from multiple areas in the park, and takes visitors around Cowans Gap Lake. Area of the trail are gravel and some areas are paved. 

    This is the most popular trail in the park, and provides scenic views of the lake, wildlife viewing opportunities, and serves as a hub for many of the different hiking paths that extend from its central location. Enjoy views of unique CCC pavilions and a spillway as you walk around the lake.

    North Logging Road Trail

    0.9 mile  |  Easiest hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian
    Trailhead amenities: none

    This trail follows an old logging road and serves as a great connector trail for making a loop hike when traversing the other trails on the Cove Mountain side of the park. Access via Horseshoe and Knobsville Road Trails is steep -- Doe Trail offers a more accessible option to hikers opting to walk this trail. 

    One Mile Trail

    0.7 mile  |  Easiest hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  Yellow blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking
    Trailhead amenities: none

    This mountain laurel shaded trail begins along Aughwick Road just above the Park Office, and then winds along the bottom of Tuscarora Mountain to join the Three Mile Trail. Hikers can then follow Three Mile Trail or continue along One Mile Trail, ending at Aughwick Road.

    Plessinger Trail

    1.1 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking
    Trailhead amenities: none

    This rocky, streamside trail meanders alongside Aughwick Creek and is a great access trail for anglers and a pleasant walk for wildlife watchers.

    South Logging Road Trail

    0.7 mile  |  Easiest hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian
    Trailhead amenities: none

    This old logging road now serves as a trail that can be hiked and used as a great connector between other trails on the Cove Mountain side of the park. At the intersection with Cameron Trail, the trail continues onto forestry land.

    Standing Stone Trail

    2.5 miles in the park, 80 miles total  |  More difficult hiking  |  Point-to-point trail  |  Orange blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking
    Trailhead amenities: none

    A portion of this 80-mile long trail travels through the park before heading north to Greenwood Furnace State Park. The section within Cowans Gap State Park passes a historical CCC incinerator and vistas overlooking the Cowans Gap Lake and lower Path Valley.

    Backpacking and thru-hiking are permitted on the Standing Stone Trail, but not on parts of the trail within the boundaries of the park. Overnight parking is permitted for hikers but they must check in at the Park Office prior to departure. 

    Three Mile Trail

    1.2 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  Yellow blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking
    Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches

    This trail begins along Aughwick Road across from the upper end of Camping Area A. The trail wanders through mountain laurel on the side of Tuscarora Mountain, and it is a nice trail to walk in June when the mountain laurel is in bloom. Be aware, there is a short, 200-foot section of very steep trail.

    Tuscarora Trail

    2.4 miles in the park, 250 miles total  |  More difficult hiking  |  Point-to-point trail  |  Blue blazes
    Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking
    Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches

    A small section of the Tuscarora Trail travels through Cowans Gap State Park. In the park, the trail goes through the day-use area around Cowans Gap Lake and the rest climbs along the Tuscarora Mountain, which offers a variety of terrain, multiple vistas, and unusual rock outcroppings and rock fields.

    Backpacking and thru-hiking are permitted on this trail but not within the boundaries of the park. Overnight parking is permitted for hikers but they must check in at the Park Office prior to departure.