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Hiking at Keystone State Park

8 miles of trails

The trails are open year-round for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. All trails are rated from easiest to more difficult hiking with parking available at most of the trailheads. All trails are foot traffic only, except for Lakeside Trail, which is open to biking.

Keystone State Park Trail Map (PDF)

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.

Davis Run Trail

1.25 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Blue diamond markers
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables

This trail meanders through wetlands before reaching an upland forest of mixed conifers and mature hardwoods. In the spring, the vernal pools are quite active with amphibian activity. Along part of the trail, the conifers form a scenic tunnel.

Lakeside Loop

2.0 miles  |  Easiest hiking  |  Loop trail  |  No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables

Lakeside Trail is an ideal trail for the whole family to explore Keystone State Park. This ADA accessible, flat trail circles Keystone Lake and offers views through various ecosystems. These ecosystems are perfect for wildlife enthusiasts looking to spot birds, fish, reptiles, pollinating insects, and more. Be sure to stop at the causeway at dusk for breathtaking sunset views, or at the dam at dawn for an amazing sunrise. 

McCune Run Trail

1.8 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Yellow diamond markers
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

The loop trail connects along a hillside with Strawcutter and Davis Run trails.

Pine Trail

0.3 mile  |  Easiest hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables

This trail loops through plantations of red, white, and table mountain pine trees. About halfway through the trail, hikers can view farm fields and large chestnut oak trees. Forest birds and butterflies can be seen in the summertime.

Stone Lodge Trail

1.8 miles  |  Most difficult hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

The path starts from the James A. Kell Visitor Center parking lot. This challenging walk starts with a fairly steep climb that winds through hardwoods to ridgetop conifers. Keen-eyed hikers can find remnants of an old springhouse and homestead by large hemlock trees. Wildflower enthusiasts enjoy this trail in the early spring to find the forest floor littered with trilliums, delicate ephemeral flowers that bloom before the first leaves begin to come in. Two short trails bisect the 1.8-mile loop offering hikers an opportunity for a shorter hike. 

Strawcutter Trail

2.0 miles  |  Easiest hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Green diamond markers
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

This trail passes by a wetland, meadow, and pine forest. Butterflies and many species of native wildflowers can be seen in the summertime. Strawcutter Trail connects with McCune Run and Davis Run trails.