Weiser State Forest is located in the ridge and valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Named for the frontier diplomat, Conrad Weiser, the forest covers over 30,000 acres on over a dozen tracts throughout the region. The Weiser Forest District includes Dauphin, Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, and Schuylkill Counties. For more information visit the Weiser State Forest website and Facebook page .
Location: Most tracts of the Weiser State Forest are located on ridge and valley terrain. Access can be challenging; some tracts are accessible only by foot. The Weiser State Forest is mostly within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in eastern PA. It is dominated by oak forests with a main composition of chestnut and red oaks. Some areas include large portions of pitch pine-scrub oak forests which provide valuable habitat. There are many other unique natural features throughout the state forest and some are even designated for their importance as State Forest Natural Areas. The Jakey Hollow Natural Area includes a tract of old growth eastern white pine, hemlock, oak, and other hardwoods. The Sheets Island Archipelago supports many resident and migratory species of waterfowl and songbirds. Visitors are sure to observe other interesting plant and wildlife in the many diverse ecosystems. The Weiser State Forest has oversight on over 500 river islands on all three branches of the Susquehanna River which lies within the district boundary. The islands located on the middle section of the main branch, Sunbury to Harrisburg, are part of the Susquehanna River Trail Middle Section. Some tracts also contain some evidence of past coal mining. These areas are of historical interest and some trails were even developed by miners as they traveled to and from work. For maps of these trails and areas visit the
Recreation: The Weiser State Forest offers a wide variety of low-density recreational opportunities. Since the state forest land is broken up into thirteen tracts covering five counties there is a wide spectrum of forest visitors. The more common recreational activities are: mountain biking, hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking\canoeing and motorized, roadside camping. The Weiser is a premier destination for mountain biking in particular. The Rattling Creek Trail System located in the Haldeman Tract has even been designated an Epic trail system by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). An extensive single-track system is also found in the Roaring Creek Tract. Equestrians will find rewarding riding opportunities in the Haldeman where the equine camping area is located. There are several hiking destinations to note including several unique trails in the Roaring Creek Tract, the Split Rock Trail in the Haldeman, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail which enters some of the smaller, ridge top tracts. Camping in the Weiser State Forest is a great way to get away from it all and spend a night in the great outdoors. The designated, roadside campsites are identified by signpost and campsite name. They are remote, designated sites with no amenities other than a fire ring and picnic table.
Nearby attractions include Swatara, Locust Lake, Tuscarora, Memorial Lake, Lehigh Gorge, Hickory Run, Beltzville, Shikellamy, and Milton State Parks. Additionally there are two Conservation Areas: Boyd Big Tree and Joseph E. Ibberson. Other notable recreation opportunities include numerous State Game Lands for hunting, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and Susquehanna River Trail.
The Weiser State Forest Resource Management Center is located in the Roaring Creek Tract along PA-42 between Aristes and Numidia. GPS: 40°49'58.3"N 76°19'57.7"W
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.
The Weiser State Forest is managed primarily for dispersed recreation and facilities are limited throughout. It does offer the Rowland, Minnich’s Hit, and C.Q. McWilliams State Forest Picnic Areas where restrooms, pavilions, picnic tables, and charcoal grills are provided. In addition to the more remote and primitive trails, the Roaring Creek Trail is improved and ideal for families. It offers restrooms and well-maintained parking areas. There are also twelve designated roadside campsites and several equine camping sites available in the Weiser State Forest. These permanently located sites contain a parking pad, picnic table, and fire ring.
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
Phone: 570-875-6450
Address: 16 Aristes Lane, Aristes, PA 17920
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