Loyalsock Trail Information

Blazes used on the Loyalsock Trail

The LT is blazed with yellow disks having red LT letters in the center. Double blazes warn of an upcoming change in direction of the trail.

Still visible are old 2" X 6" rectangular yellow paint blazes with a 1" horizontal red stripe. Turns were marked with a yellow directional arrow.

Trail Guides

Learn how to purchase full Loyalsock Trail Guides with directions, maps, and additional info. It is recommended that you use the most current (20th) edition.

Loyalsock State Forest

Most of the Loyalsock Trail is located within the Loyalsock State Forest, with the remainder on private land.

The LT starts on PA Route 87, 8.7 miles north of the Rt. 87 Montoursville exit from I-180, and ends at a parking lot on Mead Road, 2.4 miles north of the intersection of U.S. Route 220 & PA Rt. 154 near Laporte.

The parking lot is 0.2 miles up Mead Road from Rt. 220.

Loyalsock State Forest Public Use Map

This map can be a valuable tool for those planning hikes on the Loyalsock Trail.  It shows all the state, local and forestry roads, and State Forest hiking Trails,  including a bird's eye view of the entire Loyalsock Trail.   View the map online, or to receive a copy, call or send a request to:

Loyalsock State Forest
6735 Route 220
Dushore PA 18614

(570) 946-4049

Main Office Hours: Monday - Friday,  8:00am - 4:00pm

Emergency Information

If you plan to hike for more than one day, please provide the following emergency information to Loyalsock State Forest:

Name, address, home and emergency phone numbers, trail name, hiking locations, dates on the trail, number of people, vehicle description: color, make, model and license number

 

Loyalsock State Forest
Resource Management Center
6735 Route 220
Dushore PA 18614
570-946-4049

Or  Send the info by email to the Loyalsock State Forest office.

Camping

Primitive camping is permitted on State Forest land.

In Worlds End State Park, camping is permitted only at designated campsites.  Descend to the campground at LT mile 44.17, turning right on Canyon Vista Trail (blue blazes).  The Park Office is at LT mile 45.96.

The campground opens the second Friday in April and closes at the end of regular deer season in early December.  Most campsites can be reserved 11 months in advance until noon of the day of arrival by calling 888-PA-PARKS.  Unreserved sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  If an employee is unavailable, read posted instructions, check the site availability listing, deposit the appropriate fee in a supplied honor system envelope, and then proceed to an available site and set up.  Group tenting by reservation is at LT mile 46.17.

DO NOT camp on private land.  While landowners have not objected to hikers crossing their properties, camping and fires are not permitted.

The LT is an end-to-end trail and, for a fee, shuttle service can be provided.

NO FIRES are permitted anywhere on the LT from March 1 to May 25 and at other times when the fire danger is posted as High, Very High or Extremely High.  This fire alert applies to the entire Loyalsock Forest and not just the LT.

NO FIRES are permitted in the Haystacks Area at any time.

NO OPEN FIRES on private land or at any time between the Iron Bridge (LT mile 55.33) and Mead Road parking (mile 59.21).  You should carry a backpack stove.

 

LT Trail System Trails

red-x-blaze

Red X

These trails form alternate routes and bypasses, having both their beginning and end on the main LT. The trail marker is a yellow disk with a large red X.

blue-blaze-sm

Blue

These trails are blazed with solid blue disks. They lead to the LT or Red X Trails and points of interest.

Tips and Information

All hikers should be aware of the following tips and information:

  • The trail descriptions and the mile markers in the LT Trail Guide are organized for a hiker progressing from west to east.
  • It is important that all hikers help to prevent contamination (human waste, garbage, and wash water) of all water along the LT.  Water should be boiled, filtered or chemically treated before use.
  • The LT Trail Guide does not attempt to give minute details for finding your way along the trail.  Hikers are on their own and assume their own liability.
  • Hikers should use the Guide and maps, along with the trail markers and their hiking 'know-how'.
  • You should be physically fit to hike the rough terrain.
  • Wear proper shoes and clothing, be prepared for changing weather conditions, and carry adequate food.  We recommend that you wear or carry long pants since you may encounter briars or nettles on sections of the trail.
  • Be prepared for ticks.  Before hiking, be sure that you are aware of what precautions you can take to minimize your chances of being bitten by a tick; the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are two places to start looking for information.
  • Wear hunter orange during hunting seasons, and do not hike the LT during bear and deer seasons, which generally start the Monday prior to Thanksgiving and continue for three weeks.  Hunting is currently not permitted on Sundays.  Refer to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for hunting season dates.
  • All people hiking the LT do so at their own risk.
  • The LT is covered by the following 7.5 minute topo maps:
    • Montoursville North
    • Huntersville
    • Picture Rocks
    • Hillsgrove
    • Eagles Mere
    • Laporte
  • Anyone who has hiked any of the LT may purchase an embroidered LT patch through the KTA Online Store: KTA Store.