Category: Uncategorized

Site visitor Becky from Coudersport tells us that in September 2025, DCNR and local trail volunteers are finishing up a new equestrian campground in Susquehannock State Forest, outside Coudersport, Potter county, Pennsylvania. This is in addition to many new riding trails they’ve built in the region.

The location is the former Potato City Airfield at Lyman Run road and Billy Lewis Ski Trail. This is near Denton Hill State Park, a former ski area on Route 6.

Parking pads are in and construction of tie lines is under way. We will add photos, maps, and a riding guide for the area when we get additional information.

We recently visited Moshannon State Forest and used the Equestrian Day Use area on Benner Run Road. We were disappointed to find that previous horse users were very inconsiderate and left a mess! This is not the way to ensure that areas stay open to horseback riders.

I just visited again on April 13, 2025 and found the same bullshit: piles of fresh manure all over the grass. Trash left behind. Cigarette butts. What the hell is wrong with you turds?

Please behave like adults and not lazy slobs:

• Remove all manure from gravel parking lots and grass. At least put it in woods, and not all in one spot.
• PICK UP YOUR TRASH!
• Your cigarette butts belong in your ashtray, not on public land.

From September 14, 2025 through the end of 2025, state game lands are completely closed to recreational users.

State parks are open for hunting on Sundays, November 16, 23, 30.

State Forests are open to hunting every Sunday from September 14 through the end of the year.

Make sure your local representatives know if you are unhappy about feeling unsafe in your public parks and forests during hunting season!

It’s that time again. Temperatures are cool enough to ride comfortably, but the woods are suddenly filling up with hunters.

Where can you ride your horses in central Pennsylvania during hunting season?

Rail Trails

While maybe not the most exciting rides, most rail trails have enough foot and bike traffic that hunters aren’t going to be right on top of them. You should still wear fluorescent gear, as many trails run along State Game Lands or state forest.

Around State College and Altoona, consider:

• Lower Trail (see our Trail Guide)
• Bells Gap Rail Trail
• Houtzdale Line Trail

Check out our Horse Riding Guide: PA Rail Trails for info on these and other rail trails open to horseback riding throughout Pennsylvania.

State Parks

While most state parks are largely open to hunting, areas around picnic grounds, swimming beaches, etc. are usually excluded from hunting and may give you enough space for a short ride.

Prince Gallitzin Park

Bollinger Trail runs mostly in the open, along the lake from Pickerel Pond across the dam. While one stretch is in the woods north of the road, it’s close to the road and unlikely to be favored by hunters.

Canoe Creek Park

Check out the park map. A considerable area is off-limits to hunting, so you could walk around a bit. And one corner with a few trails is restricted to archery hunting.

R B Winter Park

The park map shows a reasonable area around the main parking area which is excluded from hunting. Sand Mountain road and Keystone road are available, and you could get down to Lipko Trail which is close to the road and unlikely to be hunted.

Township Roads

It might be a good time to explore some remote gravel or even dirt roads in out of the way places. State forest and state park roads are certainly an option, though you surely want to wear your blaze orange in those areas.