🌤 Weather at Loyalsock State Forest by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23–69 °F | 53–81 °F | 29–72 °F | 15–38 °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 Canton, 12 mi away, elevation 1,140 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
The park itself ranges from about 980 to 2,320 ft in elevation — higher ground runs cooler than the figures above.
Loyalsock State Forest is located in Pennsylvania near Dushore in Lycoming County and is managed by the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, not by Pennsylvania’s state park system. Spanning 114,552 acres and established in 1929, the forest offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Nearest City | Dushore |
| County | Lycoming County |
| Park Size | 114,552 acres |
| Established | 1929 |
Location & Getting There
Loyalsock State Forest is located near Dushore, Pennsylvania. The park’s coordinates are 41.5108, -76.7203.
Things to Do
Loyalsock is named for Loyalsock Creek, a scenic freestone stream that winds through the heart of its 114,552 acres in Sullivan, Lycoming and Bradford counties. The forest lies in the Endless Mountains region and is mostly northern hardwoods. The Bureau of Forestry lists hiking, kayaking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, picnicking and sightseeing.
Best Time to Visit
The forest is open year-round, but some uses are seasonal. 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
Loyalsock 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 Loyalsock District Office in Dushore (570-946-4049).
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
Loyalsock SF — 114,000 acres in the Endless Mountains — provides some of the wildest terrain in eastern Pennsylvania. The forest’s mountain ridges, deep gorges, and waterfalls support black bears, bobcats, and timber rattlesnakes. Bald eagles soar above the Loyalsock Creek. Brook trout fill the mountain streams. Northern goshawks hunt.
Nearby Attractions
Dushore — nearby. Worlds End SP — within the forest — has the spectacular Loyalsock Canyon. Eagles Mere — nearby — “the last unspoiled resort.” Ricketts Glen SP — 30 miles east.
More parks nearby: Worlds End State Park is a short drive away, while Ole Bull State Park lies a short drive away.
Park Location
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