Hiking at Tuscarora State Park
The trails wander through several habitats like mature deciduous forest, meadow, and agricultural fields.
Crow Trail
1.4 miles, easiest hiking, yellow blazes
This old dirt road passes through many habitats, including mature deciduous forest, pine, and larch plantation, grass fields, and overgrown meadow. This trail ends at the southern shore of Tuscarora Lake.
Forest Edge Trail
0.4 mile, easiest hiking
This grass covered trail winds along the edge of a mature forest and agricultural fields. The trail provides access to Old Log Trail and the park office and visitor center.
Lake View Trail
0.6 mile, easiest hiking, yellow blazes
One end of Lake View Trail is in the day use area. The other end meets Crow Trail. Lake View Trail runs parallel to Tuscarora Lake, crosses two creeks, and passes through a large rhododendron stand and a hemlock forest. The trail crosses the dam, allowing for spectacular views of the lake.
A 5.5-mile loop around Tuscarora Lake can be made by hiking Lake View, Spirit of Tuscarora, and Crow trails.
Laurel Trail
0.4 mile, easiest hiking
Accessed from Log Trail or Edge Trail, this grassy road was used to cut trees that died from severe gypsy moth damage. This short loop provides views of mountain laurel and a mature forest.
Locust Mountain Trail
0.4 mile, more difficult hiking
An old fire access road winding through a mature deciduous forest on a fairly steep slope, this trail takes you from Crow Trail to the top of Locust Mountain.
Old Log Trail
0.3 mile, easiest hiking
This old logging road winds through a mature deciduous forest. It has a slight grade and connects to Laurel and Forest Edge trails and the west end parking area.
Spirit of Tuscarora Trail
4.5 miles, more difficult hiking; red, white and yellow blazes
This is a trail of varying terrain and land features. The trail meanders along Tuscarora Lake and Locust Creek and through mature deciduous forest, a mature eastern hemlock stand, a late successional field, a rhododendron thicket, and a wetland meadow. Highlights include:
Year-round seasonal wildflowers
Large milkweed patch for monarch butterflies
Freshwater mussels
Abundant neo-tropical songbirds
“Spirit Tree” for which the trail is named