Things to Do in Rothrock State Forest
Rothrock State Forest, a state forest in central Pennsylvania, spans over 96,000 acres across Huntingdon, Centre, and Mifflin counties. This expansive area is characterized by its rugged, rock-strewn ridges, extensive trail networks, and diverse natural features, including unique boreal bogs and old-growth forests. The varied terrain makes it suitable for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
Things to Do in Rothrock State Forest
Rothrock State Forest offers a wide range of outdoor activities, with…
98
Routes
4.7
(25)
Average rating
766
People visited
17
hikers
7.87km
02:03
50m
50m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
11
hikers
6.49km
02:30
290m
290m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.0
(1)
8
hikers
6.87km
01:47
40m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
10
hikers
7.65km
02:39
320m
380m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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27
riders
18.4km
01:40
280m
280m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
23
riders
52.1km
05:18
1,170m
1,170m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
16
riders
25.9km
02:20
470m
470m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
5.0
(1)
4
riders
39.8km
03:34
810m
810m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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14
riders
36.8km
01:31
210m
210m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
1
riders
93.3km
04:17
1,020m
1,020m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.0
(1)
25
riders
61.4km
03:01
810m
810m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(1)
20
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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12
riders
19.2km
01:34
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
8
riders
22.7km
02:00
380m
380m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
10
riders
94.6km
08:21
1,760m
1,760m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
5.0
(1)
9
riders
23.1km
01:58
290m
280m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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19
riders
58.3km
03:55
1,120m
1,120m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
18
riders
115km
08:09
2,340m
2,340m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
12
riders
71.6km
04:45
1,350m
1,350m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
12
riders
68.0km
04:32
1,290m
1,290m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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7
runners
5.22km
00:33
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
6
runners
16.0km
01:41
100m
100m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
7
runners
24.0km
03:30
950m
950m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
5.0
(1)
5
runners
4.74km
00:30
50m
50m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Rothrock State Forest?
Rothrock State Forest offers a wide range of outdoor activities. These include hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, gravel biking, and jogging. The forest features over 300 miles of trails for hiking and 290 miles of trails and roads for cycling.
Are there hiking trails for all skill levels in Rothrock State Forest?
Rothrock State Forest provides over 300 miles of hiking trails suitable for diverse skill levels. Options range from challenging ridge trails, including portions of the Mid State Trail, to easier paths. Guides like Hiking in Rothrock State Forest and Easy hikes in Rothrock State Forest are available.
What mountain biking opportunities are available in Rothrock State Forest?
Rothrock State Forest is a premier mountain biking destination with 290 miles of trails and state forest roads. Trails range from easy, gently sloping forest roads to demanding singletrack and rock gardens. It is home to two International Mountain Biking Association Epic Rides, the 36-mile (58 km) Rothrock Trail Mix and the 27-mile (43 km) Cooper's Gap Epic.
Are there family-friendly hiking trails in Rothrock State Forest?
Yes, Rothrock State Forest offers family-friendly hiking options. Shorter trails are available, and the varied terrain includes paths suitable for different ages and abilities. A guide for Family-friendly hikes in Rothrock State Forest is available.
Can dogs accompany hikers on trails in Rothrock State Forest?
Yes, dogs are generally permitted on trails within Rothrock State Forest. It is advisable to keep dogs leashed and follow all state forest regulations. A guide for Dog-friendly hikes in Rothrock State Forest is available.
What are some notable natural features in Rothrock State Forest?
Key natural features include Bear Meadows Natural Area, an 890-acre forested area with a rare 320-acre boreal bog. The forest also contains old-growth forests in areas like Alan Seeger Natural Area and Detweiler Run Natural Area. Rugged ridges and vistas, such as Jo Hays Vista, offer panoramic views.
Are there cycling routes suitable for touring or road bikes in Rothrock State Forest?
Rothrock State Forest provides extensive opportunities for touring and road cycling. Its network of state forest roads and gravel roads offers less rugged options for cyclists. Whipple Dam State Park, located within the forest, features gravel roads ideal for cycling.
How popular is Rothrock State Forest on komoot?
Rothrock State Forest is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 3,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes in this state forest have an average rating of 4.69 out of 5 stars. There are 64 routes available across various sports.
What komoot guides are available for Rothrock State Forest?
Komoot offers several guides for Rothrock State Forest, covering various activities. These include guides for Hiking, Easy hikes, MTB Trails, and Cycling. There are also guides for family-friendly and dog-friendly hikes.
What is the official contact information for Rothrock State Forest?
The official website for Rothrock State Forest information is part of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) website. The phone number for Rothrock State Forest is 814-643-2340.
What is the elevation range within Rothrock State Forest?
Rothrock State Forest is situated in the Ridge and Valley area of the Appalachians. Elevations within the forest range from approximately 500 feet (152 meters) to 2,400 feet (732 meters). This varied topography contributes to its rugged character.
Are there any old-growth forests in Rothrock State Forest?
Yes, Rothrock State Forest protects significant tracts of old-growth trees within its natural areas. Alan Seeger Natural Area contains old-growth Eastern white pine and Eastern hemlock, some nearly 1,000 years old. Detweiler Run Natural Area also features old-growth Eastern white pine and Eastern hemlock forests.
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