Moshannon State Forest facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Moshannon State Forest
IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
Sign for the Moshannon State Forest on Pennsylvania Route 504 in Centre County
Moshannon State Forest Location in Pennsylvania
Location	Pennsylvania, United States
Governing body	Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Website	Moshannon State Forest

Moshannon State Forest is a large public forest in Pennsylvania, United States. It's managed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry. The main office is in the small village of Penfield, located in Clearfield County. This forest covers parts of Centre County, Clearfield County, and Elk County. Smaller sections are also found in Cameron County and Clinton County. It's a great place for outdoor adventures and learning about nature.

How Moshannon State Forest Was Created

Moshannon State Forest exists because people realized Pennsylvania's forests were disappearing. In the late 1800s, many forests were cut down for lumber and iron. Companies often clear cut huge areas, leaving behind only stumps and dry branches. Sparks from trains often caused big wildfires. These fires stopped new trees from growing.

Protecting Pennsylvania's Forests

People like Dr. Joseph Rothrock worried that the forests would never grow back. They believed the state needed to buy land and manage it carefully. Lumber companies were happy to sell their land because they had already used up all the trees.

The Start of State Forests

In 1895, Dr. Rothrock became the first commissioner of the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters. This department is now called the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. In 1897, a law was passed allowing the state to buy land for "forest reservations." This was the beginning of Pennsylvania's State Forest system.

Buying Land for the Forest

The state started buying land for Moshannon State Forest on September 28, 1898. The very first purchase was 352 acres (142 ha) near Clearfield. It cost only $65.45 because it was bought to settle an unpaid tax bill. The state still buys land today to add to the forest.

From Old Trees to New Growth

When the state bought this land, it had very few trees. It was mostly dry brush and burnt areas. This was because the huge, old forests of hemlock and white pine had been cut down. A writer named Conrad Weiser said in 1737 that the forest was so thick, you couldn't see the sun.

By 1921, all the original, old-growth forests were gone. But now, Moshannon State Forest is filled with a thriving second-growth forest. This means new trees have grown back. You can find trees like beech, yellow poplar, birch, oak, hickory, cherry, chestnut, and maples here.

The 1985 Tornado Event

On May 31, 1985, a very strong tornado, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) wide, swept through part of the forest. It destroyed an estimated 88,000 trees. Nature is powerful, and even forests can be changed by big storms.

• 

  A winter scene in Moshannon State Forest

• 

  The Panther Rocks formation in Moshannon State Forest

Fun Activities in Moshannon State Forest

Moshannon State Forest offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors. Here are some popular activities:

• Hiking
• Mountain Biking
• Kayaking
• Fishing
• Camping
• Snowmobiling
• Cross Country Skiing

Horseback Riding Adventures

If you love horses, Moshannon State Forest is a great place to ride. You can ride horses on most of the forest's hundreds of miles of shared-use trails. These trails are marked with red blazes. You can also ride on state forest roads.

However, horses are not allowed on the Quehanna hiking trail, other District hiking trails (marked with yellow blazes), or in Natural Areas. The trails vary in difficulty, from easy paths to very challenging ones.

A popular spot for horseback riding is near Black Moshannon State Park. This area has the Benner Run Day Use area and the North Run Equestrian Camping Area. Another good place is Yellowsnake Camping Area near Karthaus. From here, you can reach many trails in the Quehanna Wild Area.

Nearby State Forests

Moshannon State Forest is surrounded by other state forests. These include:

• Elk State Forest (to the north)
• Sproul State Forest (to the east)
• Rothrock State Forest (to the southeast)
• Gallitzin State Forest (to the south)
• Clear Creek State Forest (to the west)

State Parks Within Moshannon Forest

Three Pennsylvania State Parks are located right inside Moshannon State Forest:

• Black Moshannon State Park (Centre County)
• Parker Dam State Park (Clearfield County)
• S. B. Elliott State Park (Clearfield County)