Best Backpacking Trips In Pennsylvania

[@cap5048]

The full 59.2 mile Loyalsock trail. Just south of the OLP. Great trail maintenance! Just completed it on a long weekend at the end of July. Hello from the PGH South Hills.

[@daleschleicher7794]

did that over 30 years ago. very nice up there i live down near the AT TRAIL just west of the lehigh gap

[@marylousherman5471]

If the Loyalsock trail runs through World's End State Park definitely go there. Very well maintained! And, catch a view of the covered bridge at Forksville, just outside the park entrance.

[@retiredusmc9090]

Awesome that the comments are filled with more great hikes. I did the LHHT three years ago and loved it.

[@randy4793]

Love the new touch. With bloopers. Really adds to the enjoyment to the end of the video.

[@toesockoutdoors3627]

Quebec Run Wild Area near Uniontown is really nice; beautiful campsites along Mill Run trail. Also, a very easy 14-mile lollipop loop trail is Hickory Creek Wilderness in Allegheny National Forest; good campsites halfway through at Jacks Run.

[@Ruckanonymous]

As another fellow Pittsburgh resident, this video was very helpful. Appreciate the great info. Its been good getting to see them from your experience over the years.

[@js4513]

Great video packed with a lot of helpful and thorough information. Thank you for sharing.

[@escapingtheoffice7138]

Just did NCT & Minister last week. You just named most of my bucket list for PA, because I'm a fellow Pittsburgh resident and don't want to drive too far until Covid is a thing of the past. You gave me a few more to add to the list! One thing I would suggest anytime you mention Cherry Springs is if your viewer goes there (instead of hikes in the region), red lights only!

[@jayharry2237]

Im doing Minister Creek with my dog Tomorrow! Can't wait! I live right by the Quehanna so that's my home trail mostly, glad to see it as #2 on this list, but it's #1 to me

[@escapingtheoffice7138]

@@jayharry2237 Have fun man, it's great!

[@nghiado4801]

Haha thanks for the 2mins extra footage at the end. It gave a better sense of the hassle u went thru to put up these videos.

[@gmanadventurer8892]

Nice video. Great job of summarizing the trails, going to try and check out a few.

[@kennethgranzeier8934]

This is great information as a fellow Pittsburgher this is so helpful

[@jonnyrogue123]

Check out the challenging Mid State Trail if you can get the time.

[@jaredkauffman5449]

The MST and SST are pretty much in my backyard so I'm kinda partial to them.

[@jmills0221]

Great vid! Been following you for awhile! I'm a central PA resident and have been hiking most of my life. One trail we should do together is the Loyalsock trail! That's one of the best hikes in PA, in my opinion! Happy trails, my friend! Keep up the good work!

[@krisroams]

Recently moved to Pennsylvania and this video is really educational. Thank you sir.

[@kate481]

Thanks so much! I'm from Erie and was sooo excited a few years ago when I found your channel and got to virtually explore the trails around our state! Thanks for this, I'm going to get my friend to do some of these hikes with me!

[@TheEriegpman]

I'm in Erie too, there are a lot of great places up here!

[@stevenwanders7784]

I live in Md but hike primarily in PA. Saving this video. Thanks Frozen!

[@Fliptheswitch.]

Reading, PA here bro! Thanks for the video

[@itun1105]

I'm from Titusville PA and just getting into hiking. So glade I found this video. Thanks man

[@tomyoder3950]

I am a ridge runner from johnstown moved away in the 80,s a good place to hike is at world's end state park in north eastern pa lots of water falls you will love it.

[@arapgar517]

LT crosses through the Park!

[@8470tony]

This is the video I have been waiting for, for a very long time.

[@bigfootfarmer]

My favorite is the BFT!! Had a blast hiking with you. Great video!!

[@jflow53569]

You should also check out Rim Rock and Morrison Trail. Rim Rock has some huge boulder cliffs and overlooks the Allegheny Reservoir.

[@ytrbou812]

Wonderful video, thanks for all the great info!

[@VincentLoGreco]

I'm from Pittsburgh (Canonsburg) but now live in Philly (Valley Forge) and mostly have found some good day hikes here on the eastern side of Pa. Top hikes for me so far are the Wissahickon Green Ribbon Trail and the Horse-shoe Trail. The Horse-shoe is a longer trail (140 miles from Valley Forge to the AT near Hershey) but due to lack of camping, I've been sectioning it on my birthday every year for the last three years.

[@charlesmarsh279]

Great video and you did a wonderful job describing each trail.

[@melissabolyn3929]

Super excited to find your channel! I'm also a Pittsburgh area resident and I love the relevant content. Looking forward to watching!

[@laurasnyder7292]

Thank you!! I’m planning on doing the LHHT next spring! I’ll be adding a few of these to my list!!

[@BackcountryTreks]

Excellent video frozen thanks! I live in Lancaster county pa and have hiked most of these but I’ll be looking into some of the others you mentioned. Thanks again!🤙 I also understand the struggle of trying to talk to a camera as I have a young KZbin channel. It made me laugh!

[@danielgolite]

Black Forest Trail is my favorite trail so glad you were able to hike it. Someday you might like the Loyalsock Trail. Some small but scenic waterfalls there. It is located south of Old Loggers Path.

[@OldPackMule]

Oh man! You've got to add the AT through the Michaux Forrest. MD to Pine Grove, 38 miles with 4 shelters. Beautiful PA Forrest without too many rocks and not much elevation.

[@FrozensAdventures]

That is true!

[@JAllenHammer]

Totally agree. Great PA section there.

[@VincentLoGreco]

I'm doing that hike in just a few days!

[@laur8535]

Sounds like an awesome section hike

[@dontobey879]

I wish I lived in Pennsylvania...really great information

[@flanch8274]

Great video! Can't wait to check out some places in the fall

[@cgriggsiv]

I have watched you do every single one of these trails Excellent information on every one of these And every single trail that you've gone on his absolutely gorgeous

[@FrozensAdventures]

Thanks CG

[@pixaxeprepper384]

Always a great job with enthusiasm and information bearing video. Salute.

[@thaddeusmikolajczyk9055]

Good info I also live in western pa thanks for sharing.

[@BOBOMulleinWolf]

Westmoreland County here.

[@thegregoutdoors7632]

The NCT along the Allegheny reservoir is nice. some very nice camping by the water. can do a out & back trip of varying lengths.

[@Alanguz1]

Great video Frozen! I just hiked Minister Creek on Thursday & Friday. I agree cool trail and great campsites. I can’t wait to get back to PA

[@BlackcatOutdoors]

I live near the south end of Pine Creek, here in north central PA. Tons of great hikes around here. I'm getting back into it after not doing much since the nineties (kids want to hike now). Hiked the Loyalsock, black Forrest, and Rim trail as a young man. Also sections of the MST. Planning on old loggers path and a section of the Loyalsock Trail this fall. I always loved the Loyalsock. For day hikes, there's tons of vistas up that way. Also Ricketts Glenn state park is a great place for a day hike. Tons of water falls and if you camp, there's great fishing on the lake in the state park there.

[@davemeiser521]

Got to agree the Loyalsock trail is amazing, waterfalls and vista along the way!

[@jaredkauffman5449]

The Standing Stone Trail is a must do.

[@KevinFryAdventures]

Thank you so much for this video! You have given me tons of ideas for next year!

[@spruce238]

Nice video. The Donut Hole Trail is also a great trail. It connects the Quehanna trail, Susquehannock trail, and the Black Forest trail.

[@fb1273]

Thanks for the bloopers! Very funny stuff!

[@john_kelley]

I’m so glad you posted this. I’ll be in PA next fall. I may have to take a week and do the laurel highlands trail. Great video!

[@FrozensAdventures]

LHHT is pretty great!

[@chriscon8463]

Erie, PA here. Great trails & suggestions! A buddy & I did a day-hike at Minister Creek a couple years ago & it was awesome! We’ve got to go back for a couple days & camp along the way. Last Oct we stayed at Tracey Ridge & hiked a section of the North Country Trail. That was beautiful, too! That late in the year, we were racing the setting sun to get back to camp. I’d like to go back & camp along the way on that one, too.

[@bernielamont825]

Hey Chris, gotta agree with you about Tracy Ridge area, hiked that back in 2020 from campground down to Tracy Run, then down to Handsome Lake, then back out to rte. 321, fantastic area!

[@chriscon8463]

@@bernielamont825Awesome! This past October me & my buddy camped at Willow Bay right near Tracy Ridge. We parked at a trailhead on Rte 346 & hiked on the NCT up to the NY border! It wasn’t a long hike but uphill one way. That whole area is a great place to hike & camp. Happy trails & Happy New Year!

[@intothebackcountry2658]

The Pinchot Trail in eastern PA is supposed to be great. I haven't done it yet. But I am planning to hike it in October if everything goes as planned

[@donmatulevich9411]

It isn’t bad. It is very overgrown with blueberry and scrub in on merciless section though. Fairly short trail and gets heavy use especially near the waterfall. Beware of broken beer bottles

[@quadded]

I watched this series called mission across wales. I really really enjoyed it. I wrote a long and detailed comment about how much I enjoyed it and how much it inspired me. Recently though, I’ve felt a lack of inspiration. I’ve watched the two series’s so many times, it’s maybe just lost its magic. About an hour ago I looked up “outdoors adventures” in hopes of finding something, not too extreme, but not too subtle. Success!! While I don’t enjoy this videos quite as much as MAW these are extremely motivating and I love these videos. You have earned yourself a new subscriber my friend

[@LazyCurmudgeon]

Lived in PA for a few years when I was a younger man. Wish I had known about these when I was there!

[@bretthikez6567]

Love the older shots of ya hiking...looking back on trips is so fun..you've done some awesome trips over the years.

[@AJKPenguin]

WOOT Oil City, Oil Creek SP represents! : ) Great comprehensive compilation Jason. Thank you sir. PS: love the throwbacks to your past trips.

[@71Sworks]

For Eastern Pa Hike, consider the Thunder Swamp Trail near Stroudsburg in the Poconos.

[@TheNoobHiker]

this trail does not get enough love from the Pa backpacking community!

[@kmccarr]

LHHT is hard to beat. I hiked thousands of miles on that trail in the 80’s and 90’s and had great memories of it. Wish I had today’s gear back then! Almost mistook a skunk for a piece of firewood at 30 shelters one time! That’s a good list, but have you ever gone down to Quebec Run in Fayette County? Beautiful place to spend a weekend!

[@rick140]

Thanks for the list! Grew up in PA and started my backpacking career on the Black Forest and Loyalsock Trails. Wish I knew about all these others back in the 70s!

[@timlois]

Awesome video. I'm in Pittsburgh too. I've been on about half of these. The other half will be a great goal to set.

[@andrewoliver2389]

Also attached to the STS and shares a trail with the STS is the donut hole trail. The DHT. Some would say it’s the most difficult 100 miles in PA. With almost 20k vert and only 7 thru hikers a year. It was a wild trip a couple years back. Blow downs after blow downs. Very remote. The DHT is also connected to the BFT via the T squared trail.

[@FrozensAdventures]

Shame it's not a loop. Shuttle options?

[@thehikingshibas6069]

Super excited about this Frozen. Considering we are in Philly this is perfect for us to plan different weekend “Outdoor Adventures” Thank you so much. I literally took notes while watching 🤣

[@thehikingshibas6069]

Our concern is how dog friendly these trails are. Obviously, the first thing we will check for each trial

[@scottsteel2334]

Nice! Only 7 to go for me. Thanks for the insider tips as sometimes going the opposite way makes for a not so nice adventure.

[@george-cann]

Awesome video, especially as a fellow Pittsburgh resident its nice to see some local options. I also REALLY appreciate the GPS coordinates...thank you!

[@venturefree.]

Some of these trails are still on my bucket list great list man

[@jmsbohannon]

Eastern PA come do the Pinchot Trail! Also, on my bucket list, is the Mid State Trail through central PA from Maryland to NY. 300+ miles.

[@payakadventures]

A great beginning overnight or multi night trail system is bear run. Just outside ohiopyle by fallingwater. We take many new scouts there. There is a larger loop for the older scouts and smaller intersecting trails throughout to make small loops for the younger scouts and everyone can meet at a site for the evening.

[@shawnhall8521]

Great video brother, Im just starting to get into hiking and i live bout 20 minutes from Raccoon in Beaver county. Thanks again for a great video. You gave me a lot to do.

[@1bozina]

I've hiked 10, 9 and (parts of) 3... I live in Beaver county so I am always @ Raccoon Creek State Park and I even worked there as a teenager! We are so very lucky. Pennsylvania may not have it all but it does have so much natural beauty and 4 seasons to boot! The other thing that is nice about (Southwestern) Pa is that we are so close to several other awesome parks/places both in and out of Pennsylvania. Anyhow, thanks for the great videos Jason... When I can't get out it is so nice to put on one of your videos and even though I'm not there out on the trail I still get a little peace of mind just from watching. See you on the trail! Joe

[@KB-ce7gf]

Great job Frozen. I’m passing through Pa now on my motorcycle (from N. Y. ) headed to W. Virginia. I’ve been on the west rim trail many times and ran it just a couple months ago. I will definitely check out some of the other trails you’ve mentioned. Great video. I keep watching your AT series of videos and without a doubt very inspirational. Keep up the great work Jason.

[@terryweaver9770]

Dude, I am super far away from U. I live in Dallas, TX. I freaking love U’r channel man. I am a subscriber. Love U’r content. Keep doing it man. Send the wife a “Howdy” from TX! Go Stars, 😝

[@scottbutler1561]

Minister Creek is great for the reasonably fit, I took my daughter on her first trip there after your advice :). My wife has some limitations though, I took her to Fred Woods this weekend; wow! what a great return for a reasonably level short distance trail.

[@danielfegley2735]

It's great to hear from a backpacker from Pennsylvania recently I've been watching through hikers on the Appalachian trail and it's disappointing to hear them make comments about our state , I realize it's steep and Rocky but that's just part of the experience I hike these mountains so much that even when I'm on flat ground I tend to walk with my head down watching my feet and pushing off with my toes , however I can't be too judgmental even though I've done a lot of hiking I've never done backpacking

[@FrozensAdventures]

I agree with them as I've also hiked the AT. Our state sucks for views and rocks. AT picked the worst party to go through. New Jersey not much better but it has some really good views to make up for it.

[@unclekenny3986]

What's up Frozen just binged watched your entire Appalachian Trail trip had me teared up in many places and what a finish good show my friend good show

[@FrozensAdventures]

Nice man!

[@EraOneSamael]

No Tracy Ridge in Allegheny? That's my favorite of the western PA region. Have to get out to central PA at some point.

[@TheEriegpman]

I was surprised too, seems like this is 10 trails he has personal experience with, and I know he's been up there, just not as much.

[@joshua-kc8ki]

This is one of my faves as well

[@arcana1973]

I know! It's much nicer than Racoon Creek state park. And no planes flying overhead

[@tomlynchsr2075]

Thank you, this was great.

[@mikegardiner3272]

The north country scenic trail in the national forest is well worth the time if you have it. Or great to section hike. Have done all of pa and most of New York doing sections.

[@BOBOMulleinWolf]

I believe Cherry Springs is the darkest place east of the Mississippi. Cool red eft at 8:04

[@escapingtheoffice7138]

It could be argued, actually. Aside from hiking, astronomy is one of my other hobbies. Some people in the local club here (in Pittsburgh) that have been to Cherry Springs recently, and also down to Spruce Knob in West Virginia, they are all commenting how Spruce Knob seems darker. Light pollution is creeping into the area of Cherry Springs :(

[@BOBOMulleinWolf]

@@escapingtheoffice7138 Ah i see. My nephew lived there a few years ago working with an environmental company. No place is safe from encroachment

[@escapingtheoffice7138]

@@BOBOMulleinWolf Yeah it's the unfortunate truth. There's a group of us working with the city of Pittsburgh to replace the street lights with better shielded ones, but it needs to happen worldwide!

[@BOBOMulleinWolf]

@v n More like ugh...humans!

[@payakadventures]

Just camped at Ole Bull last weekend. We could see the milky way with our bare eyes at camp. We left and went up to cherry springs to see more. Got there about 40 minutes before the moon came up. It's amazing to see.

[@margaloone7970]

Laurel highlands is a great trail. If you just want to day hike this is a great for that also. I find the trail interesting and I really like the middle part of the trail.

[@Wondering_Fireball]

I’m from PA, but have retired in GA due to my daughters being here. I’d love to move back somewhere in middle. EauClaire out side of Butler, PA is not somewhere I want to retire. Tenn. is a happy medium.

[@brianogden9076]

Yes. Thank you

[@jtucker4201]

Nice list, my sympathies for the 1st round flame-out by the penguins.

[@FrozensAdventures]

It was ridiculous

[@DragonRoams]

Great video our state really does have some great places for hiking and backpacking. For the eastern side of PA. The 23 mile Pinchot Trail is a nice one it is split into two loops north and south. It has a lot of other trail in the area so you can really make your own hike out of it. It's very good for beginners I did my 1st trip in this area. Some great spots including a observation deck that gives a nice 360 of the surrounding area. The choke creek falls are a great site along the southern loop. The cons it's over grown in some areas during the summer months and the south loop doesn't drain the best. I've only done 3 on your list OLP, West Rim, and Gerard hiking trail. I really want to check off Laurel Highlands and the Quehanna Trail.

[@vistaventures1343]

Nice video Jason. I get a kick out of seeing your old hiking footage with a pack that's half as big as you are. Lighter gear makes life so much better. Another trail you may be interested in is the Standing Stone Trail. It's an 84 mile linear trail that connects the Tuscarora Trail to the Mid State Trail in South Central PA. It has some spectacular views along the way. There is a fair amount of state gamelands so you have to pay attention to where you can legally camp. We have a video on our channel from when we hiked it a few years ago. I would not advise hiking it in the summer as water and snakes would be an issue. Happy hiking!

[@FrozensAdventures]

Half as big? At one point I think it weighed more than me!

[@vistaventures1343]

@@FrozensAdventures We've all been there haha. Funny to look back and say, "What was I thinking carrying a +50lb pack?"

[@notrendrecords5634]

Hi Frozen! Totally awesome video, and super helpful as I just moved to Pittsburgh a year and a half ago! I love to backpack, and Pennsylvania is beautiful! I have a question to ask anyone that has hiked any of these trails. Which of these trails have the best cellphone reception? I know people go hiking to get away from all that, but I work from home, and figured it would be nice to go mobile working and hike while doing so. Haha

[@michael_budda]

Awesome video dude! Glad to see all the available hiking trails in PA! I'm from eastern PA, if you ever hear out here the pinnacle trail is pretty good for a day hike 👍

[@davida.dickey6834]

thanks Frozen..PA great state i visit williamsport little league world series every year since 78 need to get on some of those trails. waiting on Frozen Shug vidoe

[@redknightsr69]

I know this is not in Pennsylvania, but I just hiked at Spruce Knob in West Virginia in the Seneca Creek wilderness. You hiked at the Dolly Sods and cranberry wilderness which are just north and just south of it. You would absolutely love the area. I hope you get to hike the Loyolasock trail sometime soon. Thanks for the videos!

[@kendraheater1304]

Loved the LHHT. Such a great trail!!

[@Ontrail82]

Beautiful video! Loved the outtakes! 😂😜🤘🏼

[@matthewstacey9905]

You need to check out RimRock/Morrison Trail Loop.

[@edkokosko1759]

Great video. Thank you!!

[@TheWildReportOfficial]

Nice video man! I just found this channel, and will definitely be subscribing. It looks like you really do have some epic outdoor adventures. Maybe we can meet up and go backpacking in PA if I ever make it up that way.

[@littlerapids7454]

Great video! I live in South Eastern PA about 40 minutes west of Philadelphia in West Chester. I have been searching for a place to go backpacking that isn't over an hour away. I can't find anything. Do you or anyone reading this have any ideas or options? Thanks!!

[@rick140]

You might even be able to walk to the trailhead from West Chester. Mason-Dixon Trail - from the KTA's website: "The 193-mile, blue-blazed, long-distance Mason-Dixon Trail starts at Chadds Ford near the Delaware border. It heads south to Newark, Delaware, then enters Maryland, passing through Elk Neck State Park and crossing the Susquehanna River to Havre de Grace. The trail then follows the west bank of the river for 65 miles north to Wrightsville, Pennsylvania. In this stretch, it passes Conowingo Dam, Peach Bottom, Lock 12, Otter Creek Family Campground, Holtwood Dam, and Long Level. From Wrightsville, the trail heads west to Gifford Pinchot State Park and ends at the Appalachian Trail near Mount Holly Springs."

[@zachhoffman8514]

Likes the plural highlands video. Inspected me to hike it myself

[@ShakaaSweep]

Mid State Trail? Tuscarora Trail? Perhaps these are more of a Thru hike compared to backpacking trips.

[@germanarroyo]

Excellent, thanks 🙏

[@cgriggsiv]

Love the bloopers

[@1moremile845]

When are you coming back to the LHHT? 👍😊

[@lynx7906]

Thank you so much for this list Frozen

[@dustinwaits1160]

Great Job bud... Love your videos

[@papawhiker3509]

As a Former PA resident I have hiked all but one these trails. If you get the time I recommend the Mid state Trail. I have not hiked all of it but I have hiked most of it.

[@mcashmere]

Tracy Ridge? Great place to take newbies. Never a bad experience year round.

[@Rawdilz]

This is a awesome video! I live in Harrisburg and some of these trails are really close to me. I’m off for ten days and would really like to tackle one of these longer trails. Which one would you recommend first? I have off for ten days. Oh and I’m new to hiking/ backpacking. I plan on camping the entire 10 days I’m off.

[@stephenhiker9807]

You are possibly the best advocate for hiking Pennsylvania, Frozen. Not mentioned are The Loyalsock Trail_ 60 miles (best trail on Pa), Donut Hole_ 90 miles (rugged), Allegheny Front Trail_ 44 mile loop(gem), Pinchot Trail and the excellent Chuck Keiper Trail_50 mile loop

[@FrozensAdventures]

This is great! I didn't like the AFT much though. Might just be me.

[@johnschmalbach8243]

You didn't mention the Allegheny Front Trail? Have you done it? If so curious as to why it didn't make the list. I just did it this past June.

[@FrozensAdventures]

I've done it last year, it was ok, but the others are much better in my eyes.

[@johnschmalbach8243]

Fair enough. Your list is definitely going to be on my short list. I'll return to backpack it but day hiking different sections of the West Rim trail is part of my Honeymoon this year since we will be staying in a cabin at Hills Creek State Park

[@AllensAdventures]

Raccoon is where I started my Hiking/backpacking journey. It’s where I fell I love with backpacking. I just did oil creek and am watching this video for my next trip! Thanks Frozen.

[@AllensAdventures]

Laurel Highlands sounds like a winner. After hearing it from you and a couple backpackers in oil creek this past weekend, That will be my biggest adventure yet and first thru hike!

[@FrozensAdventures]

Thats what I did on my first thru hike, great place to start getting experience for long hikes.