Tioga State Forest

The name Tyoga, an Indian word meaning the meeting of two rivers, is the name of a tribe of Seneca Indians who once inhabited the area. The Tioga State Forest, consisting of 160,000 acres of state forest land in Bradford and Tioga Counties, was named after this tribe of Indians.

The purpose of the original acquisition of state forest land was to protect the headwaters of Pine Creek. The first purchase was in June 1900 when 900 acres along Cedar Run were acquired from F. E. Watrous. Acquisition has continued through the years. The last large tract of 13,828 acres was transferred from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1955 and is known as Resettlement Lands. It is located on Armenia Mountain in the headwaters of the Tioga River.

The majority of the tracts of land which today make up the Tioga State Forest were originally held by large lumber companies and land holding companies.

A major development on the forest came in 1933 with the establishment of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps at Darling Run, Elk Run, Leetonia and Dixie Run. Work activities included construction and maintenance of roads, trails and bridges. The original mapping and timber typing began during this period. Timber stand improvement practices also began at this time. The CCC also developed picnic areas and scenic vistas.

An interesting activity that took place on the Tioga State Forest was the operation of birch stills. These stills, which operated during the 1940s processed bark from birch trees to produce birch oil. The only remnant of this industry is a still located at Morris. It has not been operated since 1972.

The area encompassing the Tioga State Forest has always been basically a timber producing area. In the early days, large sawmills located at Ansonia, Leetonia and several other locations were principal employers in a timber industry that flourished for nearly 50 years. The composition of today's forest is a result of timber cutting and fire during that period.

Parts of the following watersheds are located on the Tioga State Forest: Tioga River, Pine Creek, Crooked Creek, Babbs Creek, Slate Run, Kettle Creek and Marsh Creek.

The Blossburg Area of Tioga County was one of the first areas in Pennsylvania where coal was produced and coal mining has played a major role in the development of the area.

Many acres of state forest land in the district have been strip mined in the past, followed by extensive reclamation. Today these areas are once again growing productive vegetation.

Other interesting places and information on the Tioga State Forest:

Forest Resource Management

The Tioga State Forest has been under formal management since 1955 with the development of a Forest Management Plan. The Tioga State Forest Resources Plan is currently in its second revision providing detailed multiple-resource management plans for water, soils, minerals, fauna, flora, timber and recreation. The next set of revisions are currently being compiled. They will emphasize sustainability through an ecosystem management approach, striving to conserve the biological diversity while providing both recreational opportunities and forest products.

Potential timber yields for the Tioga Forest are specified in the State Forest Resource Plans. Controlled timber harvests ensure sustainability and compatibility with the management of other resources including plants, animals, soils, minerals, water and natural beauty. The Tioga State Forest also provides a unique opportunity for dispersed outdoor recreation. More people visit the Tioga State Forest for recreation than for any other purpose. Rules and regulations have been developed to manage recreational activities to help protect the forest resources and to ensure a quality experience for all its visitors.

Recreation is receiving increasing emphasis in the management of the State Forest. Three State Forest picnic areas are maintained along with two Pine Creek access areas. Designated State Forest roads are open to snowmobiles and many of these are groomed to provide a smoother ride. Hiking and bicycling trails are also developed and maintained with the help of State Forest Volunteers.

The West Rim Trail, a 30-mile long hiking trail, is maintained along the western rim of Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon. Many vistas have been cleared along the trail to provide the hiker with views of the Pine Creek Valley.

The Pine Creek Trail is being developed by the Bureau of Forestry on the abandoned railroad grade that parallels Pine Creek. When completed, the trail will extend 62 miles south from Wellsboro Junction to Jersey Shore in the Tiadaghton State Forest. Nineteen miles of the trail has just recently opened to the public. The trail will be used primarily for bicycling, cross country skiing and walking. Some segments will contain a horseback riding trail next to the bicycle trail. Motorized vehicles, except emergency and administrative vehicles and maintenance equipment, will be prohibited.

State Parks, State Forest Picnic Areas and Pine Creek Access Areas

Three state parks: Colton Point, Hills Creek and Leonard Harrison are located within the Tioga State Forest. There are three state forest picnic areas: Asaph, County Bridge and Bradley Wales. Pine Creek access areas are maintained at Ansonia, Blackwell and Lloyd Run. These areas offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities including fishing, canoeing and picnicking. Campgrounds are provided in State Parks and also in Asaph and County Bridge State Forest picnic areas. Backpack type camping, with no facilities, is permitted on most of the State Forest Lands.

Leonard Harrison State Park is located on the eastern rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon (Pine Creek Gorge) at the western terminus of Pennsylvania Route 660.

The land for the park was donated by Leonard Harrison, a local lumberman. Opened in 1922, Leonard Harrison State Park was further developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s.

The primary attraction, which draws thousands annually, is the spectacular canyon vista. Elevation at the canyon rim is approximately 18,830 feet, the vertical drop to Pine Creek is about 800 feet. Pine Creek Gorge is included in the National Park Service's Registry of Natural Landmarks.

The Turkey path descends to the bottom of Pine Creek Gorge, a distance of one mile. There is a small waterfall along the path on Little Four-Mile Run about ¾ mile down the trail.

Colton Point State Park is on the western rim of the Canyon directly across from Leonard Harrison State Park. The area is entirely wooded and many prefer this quiet primitive setting. Twenty-five tent and trailer family camping sites, an organized group tent camping area, hiking trails, picnicking and spectacular vistas have been developed for the public to use and enjoy.

Fishing is available to those visitors who wish to make the long, steep hike to Pine Creek at the bottom of the canyon by way of Turkey Path. Nearby trout streams include Marsh Creek, Asaph Run and Four-Mile Run.

Hills Creek State Park covering 396 acres is located in Tioga County, just north of U.S. Route 6, midway between Wellsboro and Mansfield.

This park area was originally known as Kelly's Swamp. Within this swamp, a small mine existed from which pigment for the paint industry was extracted. The site of the present lake was first impounded by beavers. This interesting animal is still active in the lake.

The first park land, acquired in 1950, was opened to the public in 1953.

A beach with nearby refreshments and boat rental concession is located on the eastern shore of the park's 137-acre lake. Several picnic areas are available. Family camping and cabin rental are also provided on a year-round basis. State Game Lands #37, which comprises 13,000 acres of rough mountainous terrain, is within walking distance of the camping area. Public boat access is established along the western shoreline.

Anglers enjoy fishing for warm water game fish and panfish. Ice fishing is exceptionally good. Ice skating is also a popular winter sport.

Wild and Natural Areas

Nearly 17,000 acres are set aside in the Tioga State Forest for three natural areas and one wild area.

Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area, the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, is 12,163 acres in size and occupies both sides of Pine Creek from just south of Ansonia to Blackwell, a distance of 18 miles. Pine Creek Gorge was designated in 1968 as a registered National Natural Landmark with a monument located at Leonard Harrison State Park.

Pine Creek Gorge is a rugged area with depths in excess of 1,000 feet from the rim to Pine Creek and widths of more than a mile in some places. Vistas are provided at various location along the rim including Bradley Wales State Forest Picnic Area, Colton Point State Park, Leonard Harrison State Park and Barbour Rock Trail.

Rafting and canoeing are popular on Pine Creek during the spring. For the remainder of the year, hiking, fishing and hunting are very popular.

Black Ash Swamp Natural Area is located within the Asaph Wild Area at the headwaters of the Roberts Branch of Right Asaph Run. The 308-acre tract has within it an old beaver dam that is now grass-covered and an excellent examples of second-growth cherry and maple.

Reynolds Spring Natural Area is located northwest of Cedar Run along the Reynolds Spring Road, just north of the Lycoming-Tioga County Line. This 1,302-acre area exhibits a variety of vegetative types. For example there is an open pine swamp at the headwaters of Morris Run and several oak and aspen stands between Morris Run and Little Morris Run. One small stand of northern hardwoods can be toured at the northwest corner of the natural area.

Asaph Wild Area is located in Shippen and Clymer Townships, Tioga County. This tract of rugged forest land is located 2.5 miles northwest of the village of Asaph and contains 2,070 acres. Asaph State Forest Picnic Area is located on the southern edge of the tract. Backpack camping is permitted within the wild area.

Points of Interest

Many miles of trails are available for hiking in the Tioga State Forest, revealing some of the most beautiful scenery in Pennsylvania. A large portion of the visiting public drive the forest roads to enjoy the scenery. To enhance this experience, the Bureau maintains several lookout areas. Among the most scenic vistas are the Cushman Vista along the Cushman Road in southwest Tioga County, two vistas along the Cedar Mountain Road and the Pine Creek Vista on the West Rim Road. These vistas afford the motorist a spectacular view of the Tioga State Forest.

The Tioga State Forest has two beautiful waterfalls. One is located at Fallbrook in the southeast part of Tioga County, and the other at Campbells Run north of Tiadaghton.

Another point of interest is the Hesselgessel Mill Stone site located on the Hesselgessel Road about four miles north of the Asaph State Forest Picnic Area. James Hesselgessel cut stone from this site for local grist mills during the 1830s. Some of the partially cut stone still remains.

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District Forester

Box 94, Rt. 287 S

Wellsboro, PA 16901

(717) 724-2868

Forest Information provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

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