Pinchot State Forest

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1841 Abington Rd, North Abington Twp PA 18414
North Abington Twp, PA 18414

Pinchot (pin·show) State Forest comprises approximately 50,000 acres in the North Eastern counties of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Wayne.


Pinchot State Forest is named in recognition of Gifford Pinchot's monumental contributions to forestry and his legacy of forest land conservation. He was an important figure in the American conservation movement tripling the nation’s forest reserves, protecting their long term health for both conservation and recreational use.


The Pinchot State Forest is Spread across 8 Unique Tracts and 3 Recreation Areas:


Tracts

  • Crystal Lake
  • Elmhurst
  • Harvey's Creek & Avondale
  • Laurel Run &Deep Hollow
  • Mocanaqua & Wanamie
  • Montage
  • Moosic Mountain
  • Thornhurst

Recreation Areas

  • Manny Gordon
  • Moon Lake
  • Seven Tubs

For more information visit the Pinchot State Forest Website.

  • Hunting - All tracts except Recreation Areas
  • Camping
  • Primitive Camping - All tracts except for Recreation Area
  • Designated Camping - Moon Lake & Manny Gordon Recreation Areas, Thornhurst Dispersed Sites
  • Hiking - Trails at Thornhurst, Seven Tubs, Laurel Run, Moon Lake, Mocanaqua, Elmhurst
  • Mountain Biking - Featured Location is Moon Lake Recreation Area
  • Fishing
  • Kayaking & Canoeing
  • Horseback Riding
  • Snowmobiling
  • Scenic Overlooks, Drives, and Vistas
  • Bird Watching

For trail maps visit the Pinchot State Forest Map webpage.

Pinchot State Forest is managed primarily for dispersed recreation and facilities are generally limited. There are non reservable pavilions at both Moon Lake and Manny Gordon Recreation Areas where fires rings and restrooms are also available.


The Pinchot State Forest Resource Management Center and Thornhurst Maintenance Headquarters provide information, maps, and other resources.


Parking and trailheads are available throughout the forest.

Camp site features

Across 19 camp sites:

  • Picnic table: all 19 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 19 sites
  • ADA accessible: 1 of 19 sites
  • Group sites: 1 of 19 sites
  • Longest RV: 40 ft
  • Largest party: 25 people

Fees

Non-Peak Primitive Site $10.00 Non-Peak Standard Full Hookup $22.00 Non-Peak Standard with Electric Hookup $19.00 Non-Peak Standard with Water and Electric Hookups $21.00 Peak Primitive Site $10-$12 Peak Standard Full Hookup $22.00-$24.00 Peak Standard with Electric Hookup $19.00-$21.00 Peak Standard with Water and Electric Hookups $21.00-$23.00

Rules

This confirmation serves as your State Forest Campsite Permit for the campsite listed above. This permit is null and void if the reservation is cancelled or transferred prior to the date of arrival. You must have a copy of the permit on person during your stay. Occupants are subject to the following permit conditions: 1. Campfires, when permitted, require precautions be taken to prevent spread of fire to the forest. Campfires shall be attended at all times. Campfires are prohibited March 1st through May 25th without authorization from the District Forester, or when fire danger is high, very high, or extreme. This prohibition does not apply to self-contained camp stoves when used in a safe manner. A person causing a wildfire, in addition to possible criminal penalty, is liable for all damages, costs of extinction and fines. 2. Dead and down wood may be gathered and burned when permitted but may not be removed from the site. Power tools and chain saws are not permitted. Destruction of Property, damaging, defacing, or removing any sign, structure, equipment or other material is prohibited. 3. Occupants shall include at least one person 18 years of age or older. This permit may not be reassigned or transferred. 4. Pets are permitted on State Forest land if kept under control and attended at all times. Animal waste must be disposed of properly. 5. Disorderly conduct is prohibited, including creating unreasonable noise that may disturb other campers and visitors to state forest land. Generators that create excessive noise are prohibited. 6. Limit of 7 continuous days of camping on state forest land. Camping cannot be resumed until 48 hours have passed. All vehicles and equipment must be removed from state forest land during this time. Members of this camping party may not reserve a campsite until 48 hours have passed. 7. Washing in a water outlet, spring, lake or waterway and discharging sewage, or gray water on or into ground or surface waters is prohibited. Toilets must be used where provided. In other locations self-contained toilets must be used when required or human waste deposited in hole 4-6 inches deep, 200 feet from water, campsite, or trails and covered and hidden. 8. Littering is prohibited. Garbage/waste/rubbish must be removed from site and disposed of properly. Parking which obstructs a gate, entrance, exit or road turnaround on State Forest land is prohibited. Parking in area designated for a person with a disability, by the Department, is prohibited unless the vehicle has a valid plate or placard. 9. Damaging/removing a living or dead plant on State Forest land is prohibited. Edible wild plants or plant parts may be gathered if for personal use. Removing or disturbing historical/archeological resources from State Forest land is prohibited. Target Shooting of any kind is prohibited. 10. Occupants are subject to State Forest Rules and Regulations, found online at https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/RulesAndRegulations/Pages/default.aspx, posted onsite, or by contacting the district office. Occupants are subject to any other information and instructions included in the campsite or facility notes, alerts, and important information. Violations: Violations of forest rules and regulations, or violations of a condition of this permit could result in any or all of the following consequences: 1. The permit may be revoked. This will result in the occupants being required to vacate the facility immediately. 2. The occupants may be required to leave the forest. 3. The occupants may be cited for a violation of the forest rules and regulations, a summary offense. 4. The occupants are responsible for any damage to campsite or facilities that occurred during or due to their occupancy.

Directions

District Office 41°33'33.4"N 75°42'19.5"W 41.559283, -75.705415 The Pinchot State Forest Office is 13 Miles North of Scranton. Seven Miles off of I-81 Take Exit 199 (Scott Exit) and head West. Follow Signs for Lackawanna State Park/ Pinchot Forest District office Thornhurst & Manny Gordon 41°12'28.2"N 75°36'36.7"W 41.207832, -75.610193 Moon Lake Recreation Area 41°15'08.2"N 76°03'22.9"W 41.252265, -76.056351 Seven Tubs Recreation Area 41°14'07.6"N 75°48'36.9"W 41.235444, -75.810260 Crystal Lake 41°11'40.8"N 75°48'47.3"W 41.194666, -75.813144 Montage 41°21'56.6"N 75°36'03.4"W 41.365716, -75.600952 Elmhurst 41°20'24.9"N 75°30'55.5"W 41.340250, -75.515428 Mocanaqua 41°08'53.3"N 76°08'41.2"W 41.148136, -76.144763

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 3 PM.

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