We haven’t yet made it to Quehanna Wild Area to ride, but are hoping to go for a day visit in fall 2023 so we’ve scouted around a bit.
New Map Experiments
We are experimenting with a new live “slippy” map of horse riding trails at Quehanna wild area using Mapbox.
GeoJson Map – Quehanna wild area 
The new map shows color coded horse trailer parking:
official horse trailer parking
horse trailers fit, best for off-peak/off-season use
may be usable but not ideal (small, tight access, noise, etc.)
Read below for further descriptions of horse trailer parking options.
Horse Loop Trails at Quehanna
Here are a few options for shorter horse loop trails at Quehanna:
| Distance | Time | Vertical | Description | Map Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | 1:35 | 320 | Yellowsnake – Erie Camp – Cole Run – Mohawk | Map |
| 5.0 | 1:40 | 230 | Wykoff – Ligament – Twister – 11 – 11 Conn – Chipper Rd – Bellefonte Posse – Ligament – Wykoff | Map |
| 6.0 | 2:00 | 450 | Wykoff – Ligament – Bailey Log – Hoover Rd – Old Wykoff Run Rd – Ligament – Wykoff | Map |
| 7.2 | 2:20 | 530 | Wykoff – Ligament – Bailey Log – Gore Loop – Bailey Log – Hoover Rd – Old Wykoff Run Rd – Ligament – Wykoff | Map |
| miles | hh:mm | feet |
Supplies
Be warned, there is very little in the region! Plan on bringing food, drinks, and plenty of fuel.
A small general store at Karthaus closed at 1pm on Sunday when we were by. No idea if they have food. No fuel.
A bar with food is on Quehanna highway just north of Rt 879 intersection near Karthaus. Hours were only Thurs-Sun 11-5 in October when we went by.
A self-service fueling station at Karthaus takes credit cards only but has gas and diesel.
Your next options are probably Benezette or Snow Shoe, neither of which are very close.
Facilities
There are pit toilets at the Hoover Farm Wildlife Viewing parking lot at Quehanna Pike and Wykoff Run Road. Parking is limited to be able to pull in a rig.
There are NO facilities at the Yellowsnake campground. Maps show no other restrooms in the entire region.
What a great state, right?
Horse Camping
Yellowsnake Equestrian Campground has six sites which are available by reservation.
Each site has standing stalls. Design varies between sites and some may not be suitable for larger horses.
NO restrooms. NO running water. There is a central manure pit.
So get this: Equestrian use is limited to Memorial Day through October 31. This state is just a pathetic joke. Why do we pay you taxes?
Horse Water Sources
Yellowsnake Horse Camping area at Quehanna Highway and Reservoir Road does have a watering trough which is spring-fed. You can use this for horses even if you are not camping there. It is on Reservoir Road right outside the campground. Not sure if this water is tested; best to bring your own human drinking water.
No other public water sources are known, so you should bring at least a minimal supply of water for you and your horse if you aren’t in this area.
Horse Trailer Parking
Considering all the miles of trails, there really aren’t very many good horse trailer parking options at Quehanna Wild Area. Be warned, most of the parking areas designated on maps are NOT big enough to park a trailer.
This is typical of Pennsylvania, which doesn’t seem to have a clue how to make parks or forests that are actually useful for public recreation.
Reservoir Road at Quehanna Highway is “designated” horse trailer parking. It could hold a few trailers, but anymore than that and you will be off-roading a bit into grass areas. Ridiculous that there isn’t a real lot there!
Wykoff Run at Quehanna Highway is technically parking for Hoover Farm Wildlife Viewing area. On a weekday in off season you might be able to park a trailer there to get access to trails farther west away from Yellowsnake camping area, but it is a small lot and you are likely to piss someone off.
Lincoln Road at Quehanna Highway has a small parking area which might hold a small trailer.
Lincoln Road just before Hoover Road has a wide grassy shoulder along the Noble-Chambers Memorial Forest. Noble and Chambers probably wouldn’t mind some company, and you could easily fit several trailers there. Not sure how well drained it is if the weather has been wet.
Half-Assed Parking Solutions
Since the state can’t be bothered to give you legitimate trailer parking, you may have to hunt up the best spot you can. Some suggestions are…
Number 11 Trail at Quehanna Highway has a pulloff area that could hold a couple trailers, giving access to #11 and Teaberry Trail. But it’s right on the highway.
Three Runs Road at Quehanna Highway has a pulloff area that looks like it could hold a couple trailers, giving access to #11 and Teaberry Trail. It’s right on the highway.
Hoover Road just south of Lincoln Road has an area under the power lines which is big enough to hold a couple trailers on either side of the road. It’s a bit rough and may be muddy. Ironically, there is a field right next to it where the state could develop a proper trailer parking area, but…
We suggest you talk to any rangers you see about the lack of parking, and consider contacting the newly-created Pennsylvania “Office of Outdoor Recreation” and tell them you want better horse trailer parking in state recreation areas. The squeaky horse gets the grease!