Bigdamfish.net and pa-conservation.org has realized a need for a comprehensive source of Pennsylvania horse trail information that may be leaving the impression Pennsylvania had little to offer in equestrian trails. On our quest to bring trails information into one complete resource area, we have discovered a variety of trails that tapped the state’s rich history and beautiful, natural resources.

Although we couldn't cover every trail system in Pennsylvania due to the ever-changing nature of trail systems, we did our best to provide a generous selection of trails sure to entice riders of every skill level and area of interest. 
 

HorseRing.com built their site in order to share our great love for horses with other people and in order to create our own little community. HorsesRing is an online place where you can connect other horse lovers, share thoughts, pictures and knowledge, as well as support others, celebrating the common joy of horses. 

Trail Navigation Please choose from the navigational menu below where you would like to go. All Terrain Vehicles Trails Hiking-Backpacking Forest  National Scenic Trails Biking State Park-DCNR Trails Cross Country Ski Trails Hiking-Backpacking State Parks-DCNR Trails Biking Community Based Trails Horseback - Equestrian Trails Hiking-Community Based Trails Ski Resorts Hiking-Backpacking State Forest  Trails Snowmobile Trails Snowboard Areas

State parks maintain several bridle trails available for public use. Each trail is unique. The geological, biological and cultural histories combine to create a story of the various areas so we included this information in  the *.pdf file downloads for the state park area's.

Please be aware that several parks lie adjacent to other public lands such as state forest land or state game lands. In these cases, riders can leave their trailers in the parks day-use area and ride through the park to access other public lands. French Creek accesses the Horseshoe Trail, Kettle Creek accesses state forest land and Prince Gallitzin and Ricketts Glen access state game lands. 

In all cases, if unfamiliar with an area, it is best to contact the forest district or state game land area involved to get a list of their rules and regulations for the specific area in which you wish to ride.

The earliest commercial activity from the south and southeast to Pittsburgh was keyed by pack horses from Carlisle, Shippensburg, Chambersburg and Winchester, Va. Hauled west to these points, it was transferred to pack trains of from 10 to 25 horses. 

As late as 1790, there were only six freight wagons engaged in hauling goods to Pittsburgh from over the mountains, according to a commemorative city newspaper later.

Groceries, salt, iron, liquor and just about all other supplies entered the town on backs of horses. On their return trip from Pittsburgh, the horses were loaded with furs, skins and ginseng by traders. 

Conestoga wagons then filled the gap until about 1850 when the railroads came along, with some help from canal traffic for two decades before the trains. 

Pennsylvania with its natural, scenic beauty and a history still being discovered,  is the perfect setting for a trail ride any time of the year. Spring, summer, winter or fall, the gently rolling woodlands offer a refreshing change. Each trail is unique with its offerings of scenic views, wildflowers, unique plants and amenities that only a nature lover could truly appreciate. The geological, biological and cultural histories combine to create a story of the various areas. Most all State parks have bridled areas for visitors and in our State Forest regions, nearly all of the district trails and roads are available for equestrian use with multi-use trail systems. If this isn't Heaven enough, add the 2.1 million acres of state forest land available for cross-country riding in the United States. Make sure to call ahead or stop at the park office to get brochures on all rules and regulations for that area.

State Park information:

A few of the parks lie adjacent to other public lands such as state forest land or state game lands. In these cases, riders can leave their trailers in the parks day-use area and ride through the park to access other public lands. French Creek accesses the Horseshoe Trail, Kettle Creek accesses state forest land and Prince Gallitzin and Ricketts Glen access state game lands. 

In all cases it is best to contact the forest district or state game land area involved to get a list of their rules and regulations for the specific area in which you wish to ride.

Hitching and Water Facilities:

Most parks have access to water through streams, creeks and lakes. Big Pocono, French Creek, Keystone, Nockamixon and Tyler, however, have extremely limited water access so it is best to provide your own if it will be needed.

Parking:

Etiquette:

Caution: When planning your excursion, be sure to call the park office to find out about the condition and availability of trails for use. Some trails are multi-use and conditions can vary from time to time depending on season and weather conditions. 

 ...  Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)

• Stay on designated trails or other areas open for use.
• Take a first aid course before trying any activity that you are not experienced at.
• Avoid "spooking" livestock and wildlife you encounter. 
• Cross streams at designated crossings only. 
• Avoid building fires.
• Always show courtesy to others.
• Be aware that there are elements of risk that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.
• People ahead of you have the right of way.  It is your responsibility to stay in control your horse at all times.
• Obey all trail signs and posted rules and regulations.
• Respect the rights of adjacent property owners. Much of the surrounding land outside of park areas is private property.
• Please stay on the trail except where designated for public use. This is especially important where the trail passes through or adjacent to an active railroad corridor or in a residential area.
• Use trash receptacles where provided.

Park Location	Area & Trail Name	Length	Trail heads	Miscellaneous & Maps
Pocono Mountains/Endless Mountains	Allegheny Snowmobile Trails Allegheny National Forest *Used for equestrian trails during off season	159 miles Equestrian This trail is in excess of 300 miles with snowmobile connectors	Marienville and Kane have easy access to the trail system. Brown Run Road (off of SR 59, just east of Warren) also has trail access.	Allegheny_sn_horse.PDF map not available
	Big Pocono South Trail	5 miles  3 miles	The trail head is at the west end of the park, near the park entrance.	bigpocono_map.pdf
	Black Forest Trail  Tiadaghton State Forest	42 miles	From State Run, follow Slate Run Road west to parking area. Parking is also available north of Haneyville on SR44.	Black Forest Trail.bmp
	Cook Forest Brown's Run Trail  Allegheny National Forest	4.5 miles	not available	cookforest_map.pdf Cook.PDF
	Colton Point State Park Allegheny National Forest Pine Creek Trail	9 mile	Horseback riding is only permitted on the dirt access road immediately beside the Pine Creek Trail for a nine- mile length from Ansonia to Tiadaghton. Horseback riding is not permitted on the limestone gravel trail. The Horseback trailhead is along Marsh Creek Road near the junction of US 6 and PA 362 at Ansonia.	Colton.PDF coltonpoint_map.pdf
	Endless Mountain Riding Trail	14 miles	Alford to Montrose 712 Route 6 East	Endless.PDF area map included-trail map not available
	Lackawanna Abington Trail	3.5 miles	northeastern section of the park along Wallsville Road (PA 438).	lackawanna_map.pdf
	Marienville ATV/Bike Trail  *ATV area only for winter season multi-use trail system	37.8 miles Rating: Moderate	located on SR 66, about 15 miles southwest of Kane and 11 miles northeast of Marienville	Marienville.PDF
	O&W Trail Simpson, PA to Hancock, NY	13 miles	Trailhead-Simpson Part of the D&H rail trail  Lackawanna River	O-W.pdf map not available
	Old Railroad Trail	4 miles	Take I-80 to exit 45 and head south on PA715. Turn right onto Railroad Avenue and follow it approximately one mile to the trail head on the right	Old Railroad Trail.PDF map not available
	Promised Land	not available	not available	promisedland_map.pdf Promised Land.PDF
	Ricketts Glen Cherry Run Trail Fish Commission Road Mountain Springs Trail	9 miles	Heavy trailer units should avoid this hill and enter the park by taking PA 487 south from Dushore.	rickettsglen_map.pdf Rick.PDF
Philadelphia and Its Countryside/Lehigh Valley	Conashaugh View Trail  multi-use trail system Part of Delaware Canal Area	9 miles	The trail head and parking lot are on Conashaugh Road.	mapCONA2.gif Conashaugh View Trail .PDF
	Betzwood Trail  Valley Forge National Park	12 miles	Most of the trail runs along the edge of the Schuylkill River Entrance:N. Gulph Rd	Betzwood.pdf MC-Betzwood_brochure.pdf VAFO_map1.pdf
	Core Creek  Core Creek Park 1200 acres Langhorne, PA		156 acre lake, Lake Luxembourg	Core Creek.PDF corecreek_map.jpe
	D and L Trail - Delaware Canal Towpath  Upper Black Eddy, PA	60 miles	Paralleling the Delaware River between Easton and Bristol Trailhead:Washington Crossing-left on River Road / PA 32 From U.S. 22 -Turn right at entrance bridge to Hugh Moore Park. Cross the bridge, then go right and park near the picnic area.	delawarecanal_map.pdf D&L.pdf
	Evansburg	15 miles	A trail head parking lot for horse trailers is on Skippack Creek Road.	evansburg_map.pdf Evanburg.PDF
	Fairmont Park Wissahickon Valley	20+ miles Rating: Moderate	To reach the trail head from Phili, head west on US76 to the Belmont Ave exit	Fairmont.zip
	Forks Township Rec. Trail	7 miles	Laplume and Factoryville	forkrec.pdf map not available
	Horse Shoe Trail Valley Forge to the Appalachian Trail in southeastern Pennsylvania.	140 miles	there are several areas to gain access through various counties due to the length	horse-mack_map.pdf horseshoe_her_lanc.jpg
	Jacobsburg	18.5 miles	not available	jacobsburg_map.pdf
	Lake Towhee  Old Bethlehem Pike Applebachsville, PA  552-acre park Open sunrise to sunset.	not available	not available	Lake Towhee.pdf
	Lehigh Parkway Park  Allentown, PA Nockamixon State Park	20 miles	Horses may be rented at a private establishment near the park	nockamixon_map.pdf Nockamixon.PDF
	Marsh Creek	6 miles	The trails are in the western side of the park and have loops of various distances.	marshcreek_map.pdf Marsh.PDF
	Nockamixon	20 miles	Horses may be rented at a private establishment near the park	nockamixon_map.pdf Nockamixon.PDF
	Pennypack Park Trail- Philadelphia (Pine Rd on Montgomery County border) southeast to Philadelphia (Delaware River)	10 miles	Pennypack Park provides playgrounds, hiking and bike trails as well as bridle paths for horseback riding. An adjunct to the park is the Pennypack Environmental Center on Verree Road	Pennypack.zip
	Perkiomen Trail Perkiomenville (Green Lane Park) to Oaks	19.5 miles	PERKIOMEN Access Extending from its connection to the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) in Oaks in Upper Providence Township to Green Lane Park in Upper Frederick Township.	Perkiomen.zip
	Ridley Creek	4.7 miles	The trail begins in Picnic Area #8. A parking lot for trailers is at the trail head.	ridleycreek_map.pdf Ridley.PDF
	Tyler State Park	9 miles	Parking for horse trailers is near Number One Lane Trail in the large parking lot across from craft  center.	tyler_map.pdf Tyler.PDF
	White Clay Creek Preserve	8 miles	An 8-mile equestrian trail traverses the entire length of the northern portion of the Preserve.	whiteclaycreek_map.pdf W_Clay.PDF
	Wissahickon Valley Park (Forbidden Drive) Philadelphia (Lincoln Drive) north to Philadelphia (city limit)	7 miles	Forbidden Drive is the only trail open to bicyclists and equestrians without a permit. All bicyclists and equestrians using the upper trails in the Wissahickon are required to register for a user permit. The permit, which is free, must be renewed annually. Wissahickon.PDF Download Trail information, Rules, Regs & Permit Application	Wissahickon_maps.zip
Hershey/Gettysburg/Dutch Country Region	Blue Marsh Lake Orienteering Trail Foxtrot Hiking Loop Skinners Loops	30 miles GPS: 40.376, -76.024	not available	Blue Marsh.PDF Blue_Marsh.gif
	Codorus	7 miles	not available	Codorus.PDF codorus_map.pdf
	Catoctin Mountain Park	6 miles	Day use only, from April 15th through December 1st  Closed in the winter to help preserve the trail.	Catoctin Mountain Park.PDF map not available
	Conewago Trail	5 miles	On the right just before the Getty Station.	coenwago_map.jpe Conewago Trail.PDF
	Cumberland Valley Rail-Trail *Daylight use only; use at own risk (steep embankments)	11 miles	Oakville Fort Street Britton Road	Cumberland Valley.bmp Cumberland Valley.PDF
	French Creek multi use trail system	8 miles	The Horseshoe Trail passes through the park	french_map.pdf
	Gifford Pinchot The 200-mile Mason Dixon Trail runs through the park on its way from Marsh Creek Reservoir to the Appalachian Trail	4 miles	large, gravel parking area off of Alpine Road, a short distance south of the intersection with PA 177	giffordpinchot_map.pdf
	Iron Horse Trail	10 miles	Big Spring State Park serves as a trail head	bigspring_map.pdf iron.PDF
	Lancaster Junction Trail Conewago Trail	2.5 miles	Lancaster Junction  Landisville	map not available
	Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail Conewago Trail	9 miles	Colebrook Parking is available at the intersection of Rt. 117 and Colebrook Road.	lvrtph1aresized.jpg leb-val.PDF Lebanon_map.pdf
	Stony Valley RR Grade (Ellendale Forge to Lebanon Reservoir)	22 miles	Undeveloped Pennsylvania Game Commission administrative service road Access for Lebanon Reservoir end of trail is from Goldmine Rd. off of Rt. 443 southwest of Pine Grove	Stone Valley-211.zip State Gameland maps showing area 211/211A
	Susquehannock	10 miles	To accommodate riding clubs and horse-drawn wagons, a shaded hitching rail for horses is in the lower parking lot.	susquehannock_map.pdf Susquehannock.PDF
	Swatara	17 miles 12 mile loop around lake	Horseback riding is permitted on the right side berm of public roads.	swatara_map.pdf
	Thun Trail  (Reading to Gibraltar)	11 miles	Trailheads:  City of Reading to Border of Montgomery County  The reconstructed Trailhead will be known as the "Brentwood Drive Trailhead" on the Thun Trail.	TT-Birds-Doug.jpg TT-Reading-Gilbra.jpg
	Ernst Bike Trail	5 miles	Mercer Pike south of Meadville	ernst.PDF includes maps
Lake Erie Region	Shenango Trail Beaver to Erie Canal	7.5 miles	Big Bend, New Hamburg, Kidd’s Mill	Shenango-b2erie.pdf map not available
	East Branch Trail (Titusville- Spartanburg)	7.5 miles	This original right-of-way runs from Spartansburg to Hydetown, just north of Titusville. Can be accessed in Spartansburg at the Clear Lake Parking Area off Route 77 or in the Village of Glynden on Glynden Road.	no map available Cl-Lake-Sparta.pdf gameland map showing RR East-Br-Trail.PDF
Laurel Highlands/Southern Alleghenies	Blue Knob	8 miles Rating: Moderate	Across from the campground entrance at Chappell’s Field	Blue Knob.PDF blueknob_map.pdf
	Canoe Creek	5 miles	A bridle trail loops around the northern part of the park	Canoe Creek.PDF canoecreek_map.pdf
	Ghost Town Trail	16 miles	Dilltown, Wehrum, Rexis, and Nanty Glo.	ghost.PDF ghost_map.bmp
	Horse and Buggy Tour  The Mennonite Countryside	33.7 Miles	Trailhead:Martinsburg Borough intersection of SR 866/SR 164.Countryside tour through Mennonite farmland. Charming Williamsburg and its BLue Hole Quarry.	horse-buggy-map.gif
Laurel Hill Trails list Only	Laurel Highland Mountain Streams Trail System=Forbes State Forest mutli-use trails	10+ mile  Mt Stream Trail: 7.7 miles Rating: Moderate GPS:40.0752, -79.3123	There are several trailheads located on SR31.	mt_stream.bmp Mt Stream.PDF
	Linn Run	not available	Horseback riding is permitted along Linn Run Road only.	linnrun_map.pdf Linn.PDF
	Lower Trail  multi-use trail system Juniata River Corridor	11 miles	Alexandria and Williamsburg, Canoe Creek State Park, and Flowing Springs  Trailhead:Alexandria and Williamsburg on Route 22	lower.PDF lower_map1.jpg lowermap.jpg lower-map2.gif
	East Branch Trail	15.4 miles	Off of State Route 77 in Spartansburg beside Clear Lake Dam	map not available East Branch Trail.PDF
	Ohiopyle The Sugarloaf Snowmobile and Mountain Bike Area has equestrian trails.	9.4 miles Rating: moderate GPS: 39.8674, -79.471	A separate parking area is off of Grover Road and has a fenced paddock and nearby water. Chalk Hill Road leads to Pennsylvania 381, Ohiopyle, and the trailheads	ohiopyle_map.pdf
	Prince Gallitzin	6 miles	Southeast corner of the park	princegallitzin_map.pdf Prince.PDF
Pittsburgh Region	Allegheny Highlands Trail  (part of the Great Allegheny Passage) Garrett to Fort Hill	24-miles	The trail is currently open from the village of Fort Hill to the Salisbury Viaduct between the towns of Garrett and Meyersdale.  Equestrian use is only permitted on the section of trail from Garrett to Rockwood, with parking available at the trailhead in Garrett.	AHT-Gar-FtHill_map.gif AlleghenyHT.PDF
	Allegheny River Trail Franklin to Brandon Venango County	10 miles	Franklin-east end of the 8th Street Bridge  Brandon-Coal City Road-The parking lot is marked for the Samuel Justus Trail. Allegheny River Trail is the southern extension of the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail.	Allg-River-Trail.zip Includes maps of all sections of the ART
	Armstrong Trail	52.5 miles	There are 13 access points from Schenley to East Brady	Armstrong Trail.PDF includes map
	Butler-Freeport Community Trail Butler to Freeport	21 miles	Sarver Road Cabot-Winfield Road  Marwood Noticable grade - an average 2-3% incline from the Allegheny River end (Freeport) as you go north	Butler-Freeport.PDF (info only-no map available)
	Great Shamokin Path	4 miles	Meredith, NuMine, Rural Valley, Yatesboro	great-sham.PDF map not available
	Houtzdale Line Rail-Trail Allegheny National Forest Smoke Run (SR 2005) to Houtzdale	10.5 miles	Houtzdale	houtz.PDF map not available
	Samuel Justus Rec Trail Oil City to Franklin Venango County	5.3 miles	Oil City -1.6 miles onto West First Street adjacent to the GPU Building, across from Venango Campus of Clarion University Forms the northern portion of a continuous 15.5 miles of rail-trail that run from Oil City to Franklin (the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail segment) and from Franklin south to Brandon (the Allegheny River Trail segment).	Samuel Justus.PDF map not available
	Moraine	16 miles	not available	moraine_map.pdf Moraine.PDF
	Montour Trail  multi-use non-motorized	30 miles acessible 47 total when finished	Montour-Trail.PDF access points	Montour-Maps.zip Montour-Trail.PDF montour maps.zip contains 7 trail area maps
	Panhandle Trail part of Mountour	29 miles	Walkers Mill Rennerdale Gregg Oakdale Mill St Station street Laurel Hill	Montour-Maps.zip Montour-Trail.PDF montour maps.zip contains 7 trail area maps Panhandle.PDF
	Raccoon Multi-use trail system	16 miles	Trailhead parking lot is along PA 168 on the western border of the park	raccooncreek_map.pdf Raccoon.PDF
	Youghiogheny River Trail - North (part of the Great Allegheny Passage) McKeesport to Connellsville	43 miles	Built along the "railbanked" right-of-way of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad -continues to Meyersdale for 100 continuous miles of one of the most beautiful trails in the country. Trailheads at   Connellsville and Ohiopyle
Valleys of the Susquehanna	Brush Hollow Trail Bald Eagle State Park	1.3 miles	not available	Bald Eagle.PDF
	Duncan Trail Bald Eagle State Park	1.8 miles	not available	map not available
	Kettle Creek	22 miles	Starts at Beaverdam Run	kettlecreek_map.pdf
	Penn-Roosevelt The Mid-State Trail bisects this park. The park serves as a trail head.	not available	Thickhead Mountain Road, leading west from Penn-Roosevelt State Park	pennroosevelt_map.pdf
	York County Heritage Rail Trail (connects with MD's Northern Central Railroad Trail) New Freedom to York	21 miles	10 foot wide compacted stone adjacent to active rail line, the Northern Central Railway. Trailheads:Colonial Courthouse in York, Hanover Junction, Glen Rock & New Freedom	york_maplrg.jpg York-HRT.PDF
Allegheny National Forest multi-use trail system	Allegheny Snowmobile Trails Much of this trail is located on roads that are open in summer and snow covered in winter. The trail is marked with orange diamonds.	300+ miles including snowmobile trail connectors	Marienville and Kane have easy access to the trail system. Brown Run Road (off of SR 59, just east of Warren) also has trail access. Starts in Warren, con't to the New York state line. Trail 7, North Country Natural Scenic Trail, is part of a 3,200-mile National Scenic Trail. 3 trail host houses located along the trail system	ANF Recreation map ANF-SM-Regs.PDF
Allegheny National Forest Colton Point Leonard Harrison State Park	Pine Creek Trail Horseback riding is only permitted on the dirt access road immediately beside the Pine Creek Trail	9-miles Ansonia to Tiadaghton	Horseback trailhead is along Marsh Creek Road near the junction of US 6 and PA 362 at Ansonia.	Colton.PDF LH-Colton_map.pdf
Cook Forest North Country Trail (NCT)	not available	4.5 miles	Two designated bridle trails and portions of Brown's Run Trail	Cook Forest.PDF Cook_map.pdf

We do our best to gather all public trail information available from public sites and place it in one area for your convenience. We know there are many trails not mentioned that we are not aware of or do not have access to. Please send us any information you have on any trails and we will add it to its respective page and keep them updated. mailto: trailmaster@pa-conservation.org