Tuscarora State Forest Hemlock Road
Wilderness road through Pennsylvania's forgotten hollows
Hemlock Road cuts through some of the wildest country left in Pennsylvania’s Ridge and Valley province, threading between 2,000-foot ridges where old-growth hemlocks somehow escaped the lumber barons. The route starts near Blain and follows an old logging railroad grade past the ruins of Centre Furnace, where Confederate raiders torched the ironworks in 1863. Mile 8 brings you to the gnarliest climb — a loose shale switchback locals call ‘The Shelf’ that’ll test your traction control and your nerve.
This is solid intermediate territory requiring high clearance and 4WD for the rocky sections, especially after rain when the shale turns to grease. Best tackled May through October when the seasonal gates are open; winter access means snowshoes and a long hike. No permits needed, and primitive camping is allowed throughout the state forest. Bring extra fuel — the nearest gas is 40 miles away in Carlisle. The reward is legitimate wilderness in a state where that’s increasingly rare, plus some of the best fall colors in the Mid-Atlantic.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2180 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Blain, Pennsylvania |
| Land manager | Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | dcnr.pa.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle Hemlock Road without modifications?
Yes. A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Wrangler or 4Runner is the stated minimum and handles this trail fine under normal conditions. Mud season or recent storm damage can raise the bar, so check trail conditions with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry before you roll out.
When does Hemlock Road close, and is it passable in early spring?
The trail runs best May through October. Early spring brings serious mud and seasonal road closures enforced by the Bureau of Forestry — Pennsylvania's forest roads get posted with weight restrictions when the ground thaws. Don't count on access before late April.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the trail. Dispersed camping is allowed in Tuscarora State Forest under Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry rules — no fee, but you must camp at least 200 feet from water, roads, and trails, and stays are limited to a few consecutive nights in one spot.
What's the hardest section, and what should I actually be ready for?
The trail is rated moderate, so no single section is a white-knuckle obstacle, but the hollows can hold deep mud and the surface gets rutted and loose on the climbs. The bigger issue is downed trees across the trail after storms — bring a saw or at minimum a come-along, because nobody's coming to clear it before you get there.
Are the water crossings bridged, or am I actually driving through them?
Some crossings are bridged, but expect at least a couple of drive-through crossings depending on conditions. Depth is generally manageable for a stock high-clearance rig in normal season, but after heavy rain they can rise fast — if the water is moving hard or you can't see the bottom, don't cross.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.