National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Tuscarora State Forest
State Park Information
State Park Overview
Tuscarora State Forest derives its name from Tuscarora Mountain. The mountain, in turn, was named for the Tuscarora Indians - tribe adopted by the Iroquois Nation and allowed to migrate to this region about 1714.
Comprised of 91,165 acres, the Tuscarora State Forest is located in Cumberland, Franklin, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin and
Perry counties. The original forest consisted of hemlock in the stream bottoms with American chestnut and oak on the slopes and mountain tops. The first state purchase of land for this district was 7,608 acres bought in 1902 from J. Preston Thomas at a cost of $1.72 per acre. Originally called the Rothrock Forest Reserve, this tract was later merged with the Pennypacker and McClure reserves to form the present Tuscarora State Forest.
Trails
Snowmobiling & Skiing
A snowmobile trail system of more than 100 miles provides excellent snowmobiling during snowy winter months. A cross-country ski area is located in Fowler Hollow, which follows 11 miles of trails and old railroad grades. Special trail maps are available for both.
Picnicking
Fishing and Hunting
Fishing
Trout fishing is available along many miles of small-to-medium sized streams where both native and stocked trout are found. Fish habitat improvement devices have been installed in Shermans Creek, Fowler Hollow Run and
East Licking Creek. A four-mile section of East Licking Creek has been designated as a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only trout fishing area.
Hunting
Hunting, particularly for deer and turkey, is extremely popular in the Tuscarora State Forest. The Anderson Ridge Limited Access Buck Hunting Area provides a 6,000-acre area of unique hunting where all motorized vehicles are prohibited except for those used by hunters with disabilities with special permits. The squirrel population fluctuates with the success of the acorn crop, while the grouse population is usually low. Special wildlife habitat improvement projects continue to increase the game and non-game populations.
History of the Area
Tuscarora State Forest derives its name from Tuscarora Mountain. The mountain, in turn, was named for the Tuscarora Indians - tribe adopted by the Iroquois Nation and allowed to migrate to this region about 1714.
Comprised of 91,165 acres, the Tuscarora State Forest is located in Cumberland, Franklin, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin and
Perry counties. The original forest consisted of hemlock in the stream bottoms with American chestnut and oak on the slopes and mountain tops. The first state purchase of land for this district was 7,608 acres bought in 1902 from J. Preston Thomas at a cost of $1.72 per acre. Originally called the Rothrock Forest Reserve, this tract was later merged with the Pennypacker and McClure reserves to form the present Tuscarora State Forest.
Lumbering began in earnest in the early 1900s by large lumber companies such as the Perry Lumber Company, Oak Extract Company, East Waterford Lumber Company and the Pine Creek Lumber and Timber Company. The great logging era ended in 1930.
A major development came in 1933 with the establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) - work program for able-bodied and unemployed males. State forestry personnel planned and supervised work activities for the CCC, which included construction and maintenance of roads, trails and
bridges and the development of state parks, picnic areas and
scenic overlooks. Six CCC camps were located in the Tuscarora.