Pennsylvania Forest Adventurer 2022, ONTO 2023

[DevilDodge]

Starting a thread for the coming year to consolidate my thoughts, adventures and projects.

Immediate goals are to hit Elk Sproul and Susquehannock state forest to check campsites and confirm routes.

This past year was the worst year for camping for us. We usually camp every weekend. We missed quite a few because of the popularity and a lack of interest due it.

So, we are hoping to do a lot more...moving even further away from established campgrounds.

As far as projects...the wife said our 2003 RAM is giving itself to be our dedicated forest camping rig. Gonna build out the bed for us and a new tent for the kids. Probably going to be a slow process...but it is a start.

We also have the ongoing pop up camper conversion to an off grid/road camper/recreational toy transporter. It is tore down ready for rebuild.

The rest will just be a continuation of my Central PA overlanding trip scouting and as much time in nature that we can muster.

 

[Abreu93]

Starting a thread for the coming year to consolidate my thoughts, adventures and projects.

Immediate goals are to hit Elk Sproul and Susquehannock state forest to check campsites and confirm routes.View attachment 218998

This past year was the worst year for camping for us. We usually camp every weekend. We missed quite a few because of the popularity and a lack of interest due it.

So, we are hoping to do a lot more...moving even further away from established campgrounds.

As far as projects...the wife said our 2003 RAM is giving itself to be our dedicated forest camping rig. Gonna build out the bed for us and a new tent for the kids. Probably going to be a slow process...but it is a start. View attachment 218999View attachment 219000

We also have the ongoing pop up camper conversion to an off grid/road camper/recreational toy transporter. It is tore down ready for rebuild.View attachment 219001View attachment 219002

The rest will just be a continuation of my Central PA overlanding trip scouting and as much time in nature that we can muster.
View attachment 219003

Thats going to be awesome man! I live in Columbia County and i am definitely interested on seeing your progress with these new trails and and Parks/Forest. Iam preparing an 03 Nissan pathfinder to take my 1 year old outdoors more often.

 

[Dave Snyder]

This will be cool. Definitely keeping an eye on this thread. Up here in Lackawanna County myself. Starting to build out a 2014 Ram 1500.

 

[JeepingMike]

Thanks again for your exploration and sharing. We were hoping to get out more in 21 and also found the continued increased popularity of folks getting away from the cities to be challenging. But on to 2022!

 

[Commish1999]

Thanks for all the on going info.

I live in NE Ohio, but have lived in both Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre (Forty-Fort) and have explored the area many times.

I'm hoping to get out to the AF a lot more this year and hopefully follow your route through Central PA.

Perhaps we can meet up.

Cheers to 2022...!

 

[Wanderer351]

Update us when you’re going to go. We had to Allegheny quite often and I’m planning a group trip mid summer to somewhere in central Pennsylvania I don’t know if we’re going to go to Rothrock or anthracite. Let me know we might tagalong!!

 

[DevilDodge]

Update us when you’re going to go. We had to Allegheny quite often and I’m planning a group trip mid summer to somewhere in central Pennsylvania I don’t know if we’re going to go to Rothrock or anthracite. Let me know we might tagalong!!

My exploration is completely spur of the moment. But, I try to give a heads up when I got something planned.

Rothrock is my favorite forest. It has great motorized campsites and is 30 mins from home.

The scenery and natural attractions are awesome also. It is mostly your typical forest roads...but does have 3 4x4 HC trails...emphasis on clearance...4x4 will not be needed...unless...snow.

 

[Wanderer351]

Update us when you’re going to go. We had to Allegheny quite often and I’m planning a group trip mid summer to somewhere in central Pennsylvania I don’t know if we’re going to go to Rothrock or anthracite. Let me know we might tagalong!!

My exploration is completely spur of the moment. But, I try to give a heads up when I got something planned.

Rothrock is my favorite forest. It has great motorized campsites and is 30 mins from home.

The scenery and natural attractions are awesome also. It is mostly your typical forest roads...but does have 3 4x4 HC trails...emphasis on clearance...4x4 will not be needed...unless...snow.

Sounds perfect!! I’ve lead many groups and am a 25+yr seasoned veteran of off-roading and rock crawling and really enjoy the travel part of overlanding.. I love spur of the moment and I’m lucky here in Ohio I can hit some nasty washouts and ledges within 20min from my driveway.

Keep us posted if you plan a trip a few days in advance.. your only a few hour drive for me.

 

[DevilDodge]

My original plan for my next area to explore was Tuscarora SF and Buchanan. Purple Lizards Tuscarora map is running a bit behind...and Buchanan is just in the opposite direction of most of my favorite places.

I do plan to get there for some camping and mapping...but it is not a priority.

Bald Eagle...well...i have seen enough of it...and except for site 47...probably not gonna spend my time there. With the exception of the area north of RT 192 connecting with Tiadaghton for my trips through the pine creek area.

My focus is going to be on getting campsites scouted and mapping done using Moshannon as the set in for getting to Elk and Sproul. I hate traveling on the highway...so I can get to them on the back roads...mostly dirt...just takes a while.

I already have google maps set to get me in a direct route through Moshannon to Elk...you know....to try to keep me on track.

I am hoping to get of to a great start with the New Year Saturday.

 

[DevilDodge]

My other threads...that I update frequently with specific info.

Bald Eagle State Forest in a RAM or 2

We are planning an off pavement travel/dispersed camping trip to BESF this year. Nothing fancy with tents and stock trucks. We will be using our 2015 RAM 2500, BUT may also trek out with our 03 or 99 Dodge 2500s. We camp every weekend from start of fishing season in April til November in...

www.overlandbound.com

Rothrock State Forest in a RAM or 2

So, before I have been able to make my first planned trip, I got a curveball. So another member was asking how to connect BESF with Rothrock. Then i realized, hey, I could do this and incorporate one of my favorite state park campground, Trough Creek. Just emailed for the public uuse and...

www.overlandbound.com

Moshannan State Forest in a RAM or 2

https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/FindAForest/Moshannon/Pages/default.aspx So, got the email sent to receive info about motorized camping here. This will also be on the list to explore. More info to come...if anyone has experience here please post.

www.overlandbound.com

Tuscarora State Forest in a RAM or 2

Looking to spend some time scouting here. Purple Lizard maps will be finishing up their Map soon and will be available for purchase in the summer. Anyone spend some time here? Can not wait to get tires in dirt here.

www.overlandbound.com

Buchanan State Forest in a RAM or 2

Starting to gather information for a trip here. Got some maps being sent my way. Got all my scouting done in Rothrock and Bald Eagle. Hoping to get here soon... Anyone have any experience? We are probably going to be adding ATV to our equipment list, and they have 2 ATV trails.

www.overlandbound.com

Pine Creek Purple Lizard Map...

I spent some time plotting a course with the Pine Creek map by purple lizard. Anyone not familiar with the area the map covers...it is the area that includes the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. It is from Interstste 80 North to New York. As I was looking at it I noticed quite a few areas if...

www.overlandbound.com

Loyalsock State Forest in a RAM or 2

Just got my Purple Lizard Map for another place to off pavement travel/dispersed camp. Can not wait to get out there and adventure.

www.overlandbound.com

Elk State Forest Pennsylvania

On to my next adventure area. Got the day use map and am starting to plan a route. Another area not yet covered by the Purple Lizard. So, right off I got a question. Ridge Road campsites. Any one know anything about them. They do not show up in searches or on the interactive camping map I...

www.overlandbound.com

Forbes State forest.

I learned somethings about Forbes that I thought I would share. They have 6 motorized campsites. They close their sites for winter. They are open April 2nd til the last day of rifled deer season. Which would be noon this Saturday. So the Friday of the season would be the last night to camp...

www.overlandbound.com

Allegheny National Forest.

Well. It happened. I got interested in another area. Not sure I will be getting here anytime soon...but while being the chauffeur for Christmas shopping...i got the maps out and started dreaming. Purple lizard Maps have started mapping it with the first area being on the North East corner of...

www.overlandbound.com

THE GAP...where purple lizard has not mapped.

I have many threads about the forests of Pennsylvania. And this is a supplement to Connecting the forests in Central Pennsylvania. I have thoroughly explored the lizard maps...and have learned so much from them. THE GAP, the area between the Moshannon/Quehanna map and the Pine Creek map/Bald...

www.overlandbound.com

Covering 343 miles, 5 state forests and 4 Purple Lizard maps...mostly dirt

So I decided to get out to Loyalsock. It is a 2 hour highway drive. But who wants to drive the highway. So, starting in Rothrock going through Bald Eagle up through Pine Creek and then over to Loyalsock and across is about a 14 hour dirt road extravaganza. So that is too much for a day...

www.overlandbound.com

 

[DevilDodge]

Setting the stage for the next adventure.

 

[DevilDodge]

I highly recommend checking out Tri State Overland and Central PA overland on Facebook.

I am not a fan of Facebook...but am glad I broke down and got it to join these 2 great groups.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

 

[John Bishop]

As far as projects...the wife said our 2003 RAM is giving itself to be our dedicated forest camping rig. Gonna build out the bed for us and a new tent for the kids.

I like the way your wife thinks...

Do all the PA state park dispersed camping require permits/ reservations?

 

[DevilDodge]

I like the way your wife thinks...

Do all the PA state park dispersed camping require permits/ reservations?

Pennsylvania State Parks require a paid reservation. www.reserveamerica.com

Pennsylvania State Forests are 90% permit required at designated campsite only. It is free. 7 days maximum stay.

PA State Forest Camp Sites

maps.dcnr.pa.gov

I believe Sproul requires the free permit...but camping is pretty much anywhere meeting the guidelines for distance from water, etc.

Allegheny National Forest offers dispersed camping for free on a first come first serve basis.

 

[DevilDodge]

Some links for seasonal road openings during Hunting seasons, etc.

Roads Opened for Deer Season

State Game Lands

The Game Commission owns and manages nearly 1.5 million acres of state game lands throughout the Commonwealth.

www.pgc.pa.gov

Some are closed already...but some are still open. Supposed to get 3 to 6 inches of snow this weekend. Could be fun to get out and enjoy a fresh painting by mother nature.

 

[DevilDodge]

Started plotting routes in Tuscarora State Forest.

Found Wolf Road...which is listed as a full length drivable trail on an old map and the east end still being on the current download map. And they both show no gates.

And I found these other ones

But...apparently they are gated...or long closed.

Back to the drawing board.

The lizard map should be coming soon.

It will overlay with the Rothrock and Raystown map...so gonna be easy to make a route to them all.

 

[DevilDodge]

This may or may not be useful. But it should give a decent indication of what to expect when traveling.
Remember, forest roads are not maintained and a fresh snow can become an ice slide when the sun comes out melting it and then night comes and it freezes.

Winter Report

www.dcnr.pa.gov

 

[Explorador]

Starting a thread for the coming year to consolidate my thoughts, adventures and projects.

Immediate goals are to hit Elk Sproul and Susquehannock state forest to check campsites and confirm routes.View attachment 218998

This past year was the worst year for camping for us. We usually camp every weekend. We missed quite a few because of the popularity and a lack of interest due it.

So, we are hoping to do a lot more...moving even further away from established campgrounds.

As far as projects...the wife said our 2003 RAM is giving itself to be our dedicated forest camping rig. Gonna build out the bed for us and a new tent for the kids. Probably going to be a slow process...but it is a start. View attachment 218999View attachment 219000

We also have the ongoing pop up camper conversion to an off grid/road camper/recreational toy transporter. It is tore down ready for rebuild.View attachment 219001View attachment 219002

The rest will just be a continuation of my Central PA overlanding trip scouting and as much time in nature that we can muster.
View attachment 219003

.....I'm interested in your progress, I'm following this thread and looking forward to see the routes.

 

[DevilDodge]

So. Have been fighting an inner battle with sharing information about my research. Facebook disappoints me often with the public, and I get discouraged sharing info. I guess going forward...if I can find something in a Google search I will report my knowledge. If not, gonna keep it for myself(or members I have built a "trust" in)

All that said...with the new Tuscarora map from Purple Lizard... I purchased the remainder of their Maps for Pennsylvania.

I now also have Ohiopyle/Forbes SF and Michaux.

Going to expand my dirt road therapy into those areas, but am looking to focus on Tuscarora and Elk SF. Moshannon and Rothrock are a whim away...so will be spending time there too.

We have had a few State Park Campground trips in already. Anxious to get back to forest adventures very soon. Hiking and wild life watching will be a much bigger part of the puzzle this year.

Hope everyone is well and already or soon to be adventuring in the great forests of Pennsylvania.

 

[Explorador]

Update us when you’re going to go. We had to Allegheny quite often and I’m planning a group trip mid summer to somewhere in central Pennsylvania I don’t know if we’re going to go to Rothrock or anthracite. Let me know we might tagalong!!

My exploration is completely spur of the moment. But, I try to give a heads up when I got something planned.

Rothrock is my favorite forest. It has great motorized campsites and is 30 mins from home.

The scenery and natural attractions are awesome also. It is mostly your typical forest roads...but does have 3 4x4 HC trails...emphasis on clearance...4x4 will not be needed...unless...snow.

Sounds perfect!! I’ve lead many groups and am a 25+yr seasoned veteran of off-roading and rock crawling and really enjoy the travel part of overlanding.. I love spur of the moment and I’m lucky here in Ohio I can hit some nasty washouts and ledges within 20min from my driveway.

Keep us posted if you plan a trip a few days in advance.. your only a few hour drive for me.

Sign me up, I can join too.....