🌤 Weather at Forbes State Forest by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23–64 °F | 53–74 °F | 29–68 °F | 14–35 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Laurel Summit, 4 mi away, elevation 2,730 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Forbes State Forest is located in Pennsylvania near Laughlintown and is managed by the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, not by Pennsylvania’s state park system. Spanning almost 59,000 acres and established in 1926, the forest offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Nearest City | Laughlintown |
| Park Size | almost 59,000 acres |
| Established | 1926 |
Location & Getting There
Forbes State Forest is located near Laughlintown, Pennsylvania. The park’s coordinates are 40.1222, -79.1944.
Things to Do
Forbes spreads across the high ridges of the Laurel Highlands in 15 tracts in Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties, including 3,213-foot Mount Davis, the highest point in Pennsylvania. The Bureau of Forestry lists hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, ATV riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, fishing, hunting, picnicking and sightseeing. It is a working forest, so you may pass timber harvests, prescribed burns or natural gas sites.
Best Time to Visit
The forest is open year-round, but some uses are seasonal. ATV trails are open only from the Friday before Memorial Day through the last full weekend in September, and again from the day after the rifle deer season until April 1. During spring wildfire season, from March 1 to May 25, primitive campers need the forest’s permission for a campfire. In winter, the Bureau of Forestry lists snowmobiling and cross-country skiing here.
Visitor Tips
Forbes is a state forest of the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, not a Pennsylvania state park. Backpackers may camp in most areas without a permit if they stay no more than one night in one spot. Longer stays and all roadside (motorized) camping need a permit from the Pennsylvania State Park and Forest Reservation System, and roadside camping is allowed only at designated sites. State forests have no water, hookups or dump stations, so pack out your trash. For local questions, call the Forbes District Office in Laughlintown (724-238-1200).
Explore More Pennsylvania State Parks
Looking for state parks in Pennsylvania? Discover them in our Best State Parks in Pennsylvania guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Forbes SF — 50,000 acres in the Laurel Highlands — encompasses Mount Davis (3,213 feet), Pennsylvania’s highest point. The forest’s mountain ridges, bogs, and hardwood-conifer forests support black bears, bobcats, and timber rattlesnakes. Snowshoe hares inhabit the higher elevations. Northern saw-whet owls call at night.
Nearby Attractions
Somerset — adjacent. Ohiopyle SP — 20 miles northwest — has Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. Flight 93 National Memorial — 15 miles north. Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail — traverses.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Laurel Summit State Park (a short drive away) or Laurel Mountain State Park (a short drive away).
Park Location
Plan your gear for Forbes State Forest
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
