Pinchot State Forest Advisories

Thornhurst Tract Road and Trail Advisories

Sand Springs and Phelps roads are closed for road and bridge construction until Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Please use caution on Pittston Road and stay alert for heavy log truck traffic associated with a timber sale on Carvolth Road until Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Please use caution on the North loop of the Pinchot Trail and Boundary Line Trail near an adjacent timbersale until Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Moon Lake Recreation Area Boat Launch

Effective Saturday, April 1, 2023: The Moon Lake Recreation Area Boat Launch is open to the public.

Visitors are asked to park in designated parking spots located away from the waterfront.

Moon Lake is open to self-assisted and electric water vessels only.

Seven Tubs Recreation Area Gate Closure

The Seven Tubs Recreation Area will remain closed until construction has concluded.

Seven Tubs Recreation Area -- D&L Closure

Please be advised that the D&L Trail has been closed for public use from Seven Tubs (Mile Marker 152.25) to Oliver Mills Crossing (Mile Marker 149.5) to accommodate construction.

Seven Tubs Recreation Area

The Seven Tubs Recreation Area (PDF) has experienced a substantial increase in visitor usage. This has led to crowded parking areas, increased litter, noise, and other complaints.

In an effort to mitigate these issues, DCNR will have an increased staff presence in the area.

Visitors are reminded of the area rules:

No open fires, including charcoal grills
No organized picnicking
No biking or horseback riding on trails
Dogs must be on a leash
No diving or jumping off rocks or cliffs
No loud music
No camping
No hunting

Visitors are required to practice “carry in, carry out” for trash and dog waste.

Visitors are encouraged to find less crowded recreation options if the parking areas appear full.

Effective Tuesday, February 1, 2022: The Seven Tubs Recreation Area is closed to organized picnicking to reduce the negative impacts from site compaction and litter. This decision was made to:

Protect the forest and geologic formations
Protect riparian buffers adjacent to Wheelbarrow Run and Laurel Run, both wild trout streams

Alternate picnic locations are available at the Manny Gordon Picnic Area and Moon Lake Recreation Area.

Camping, Firewood, and ADA Permits

Effective November 3, 2022: All designated state forest campsites will be reserved through the Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests Reservation System. Contact the forest district office directly if camping prior to 11/3/2022.

To learn more about camping in Pinchot State Forest, please visit the Camping in Pinchot State Forest page.

All Firewood, ADA, and other (non-camping) permit requests will be processed through the district office. Please email Pinchot State Forest.

Group Activities in Pinchot State Forest

Organized group activities are becoming increasingly popular within Pinchot State Forest. If you are looking to hold an organized or large group event on DCNR lands, you must get approval and obtain the appropriate authorization or agreement.

DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry uses letters of authorization, special activities agreements, or commercial activities agreements (PDF) to evaluate and manage these large group activities on state forest land.

Any organized or group event occurring on state forest lands must be reviewed and approved through one of these means.

Letters of authorization are completed at the district office and may take up to 15 business days to approve. Special activity and commercial activity agreements require 90 days for internal legal review.

Requests should be made in advance of this 90-day period, prior to the scheduled event.

Restroom Closed at Mocanaqua Trailhead

The restroom at the Mocanaqua trailhead parking lot is closed indefinitely due to vandalism.

Recreation Areas Closed to Hunting

The Moon Lake Recreation Area, Seven Tubs Recreation Area, and Manny Gordon Recreation Area are closed to hunting. All other areas of the state forest are open to hunting, unless otherwise posted.

Stone Collecting Permits Suspended

After review, a decision has been made to suspend the issuing of stone collecting permits on Pinchot State Forest until the District Resource Management Plan is completed.

The reason for this suspension is to evaluate and determine if and where stone collection is permissible based on ecological, historical, and cultural reasons, and to complete the district forest resource management plan.

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.