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{{Short description|State forest in Pennsylvania, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Rothrock State Forest
| iucn_category = VI
| iucn_ref =
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| photo = 2012-08-22 View southeast towards Bear Meadows Natural Area from the Mid-State Trail within Rothrock State Forest in Harris Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania.jpg
| photo_caption = View of [[Bear Meadows Natural Area]] from the [[Mid State Trail (Pennsylvania)|Mid State Trail]].
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| map = USA Pennsylvania
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| map_caption = Location of Rothrock State Forest's headquarters in PennsylvaniaRothrock State Forest
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| ___location = Pennsylvania, United States
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| length =
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| area_acre = 215500
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| elevation = {{convert|1936|ft|m|abbr=on}}
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| authorized =
| created =
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| established =
| named_for = [[Joseph Rothrock]]
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| governing_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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| website = [https://archive.today/20120728182157/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/rothrock/index.htm Rothrock State Forest]
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}}
'''Rothrock State Forest''' is a [[List of Pennsylvania state forests|Pennsylvania state forest]] in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #5. The main offices are located in [[Huntingdon, Pennsylvania|Huntingdon]] in [[Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania|Huntingdon County]], [[Pennsylvania]] in the [[United States]].
Rothrock State Forest is located in [[Centre County, Pennsylvania|Centre]], Huntingdon, and [[Mifflin County, Pennsylvania|Mifflin]] Counties.
[[State College, Pennsylvania|State College]], home of [[Penn State University]] is only a few miles from many of the entrances of Rothrock, leading to high utilization of the forest by students and staff of the university. Rothrock shares a common border on its eastern portion with [[Bald Eagle State Forest]] and is just north of areas of [[Tuscarora State Forest]].
==History==
Rothrock State Forest was formed as a direct result of the depletion of the forests of Pennsylvania that took place during the mid-to-late 19th century. Conservationists like Dr. [[Joseph Rothrock]], for whom the forest is named, became concerned that the forests would not regrow if they were not managed properly. Lumber and iron companies had harvested the [[old-growth forest]]s for various reasons. They [[clearcutting|clear cut]] the forests and left behind nothing but dried treetops and rotting stumps. The sparks of passing [[steam locomotives]] ignited [[wildfire]]s that prevented the formation of [[Secondary forest|second growth forest]]s. The conservationists feared that the forest would never regrow if there was not a change in the philosophy of forest management. They called for the state to purchase land from the lumber and iron companies. The lumber and iron companies were more than willing to sell their land since they had depleted the natural resources of the forests.<ref name="vfsfhistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/valleyforgehistory.aspx |title=History of the William Penn State Forest |access-date=2007-08-29 |publisher=[[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823033728/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/valleyforgehistory.aspx |archive-date=August 23, 2007 }}</ref> The changes began to take place in 1895 when Dr. Rothrock was appointed the first commissioner of the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, the forerunner of today's [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]]. The [[Pennsylvania General Assembly]] passed a piece of legislation in 1897 that authorized the purchase of "unseated lands for forest reservations." This was the beginning of the State Forest system.<ref name="vfsfhistory"/>
Two of Dr. Rothrock's major accomplishments as commissioner were his land acquisition program and the creation of a forest academy to train foresters for state service. He led the effort in central Pennsylvania to acquire land that had once belonged to the Greenwood Iron Works. The iron company had left behind approximately {{convert|35000|acre|ha}} of land that had been stripped of its old growth forest to provide fuel in the form of [[charcoal]] for the iron furnaces in northern [[Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania|Huntingdon County]]. Additional land was purchased soon after until nearly all of the Seven Mountain area had become state property.<ref name="rsfhistory">{{cite web |url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/rothhistory.aspx |archive-url = https://archive.today/20040302194114/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/rothhistory.aspx |url-status = dead |archive-date = March 2, 2004 |title = History of the Rothrock State Forest |access-date = 2007-06-16 |publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]]}}</ref> The lands acquired in the early 20th century were divided into three separate state forest reserves. Logan State Forest comprised the land in northern Huntingdon County and [[Ferguson Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania|Ferguson]] and [[Harris Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania|Harris]], Townships in [[Centre County, Pennsylvania|Centre County]]. Penn State Forest was located in [[Potter Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania|Potter Township]], Centre County and [[Armagh Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania|Armagh Township]] and [[Brown Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania|Brown Township]], Townships in [[Mifflin County, Pennsylvania|Mifflin County]]. Rothrock State Forest was near [[Mount Union, Pennsylvania|Mount Union]] and Entriken, in Huntingdon County. The three forests were merged in 1953 with parts of Penn and Logan being added to [[Bald Eagle State Forest]] and the rest combined to make what is now Rothrock State Forest.
Some of the first [[firetower|fire tower]]s built in Pennsylvania were constructed in Rothrock State Forest in the 1920s. [[Pennsylvania Governor]] [[Gifford Pinchot]], former chief of the [[U.S. Forest Service]] upgraded the Pennsylvania Forestry Division to full department status and gave the new Department of Forest and Waters the funds needed to build steel observation towers in the state forests. The construction of the observation towers combined with changes in forest management lead to a dramatic decrease in the number and size of [[forest fire]]s throughout the state forests of Pennsylvania.<ref name="rsfhistory"/>
Much of the land that is now Rothrock State Forest was cleared of dried underbrush during the [[Great Depression]] by the young men of the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] created by President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]. In addition to clearing the forests and streams of brush the CCC also built roads and trails in the state forests and parks and many of the recreational facilities still in use at the [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|state parks]] in the Rothrock State Forest area.
By the 1950s the [[Secondary forest|second growth forest]]s of [[oak]] and [[hickory]] had grown to a size that the wood was ready to be harvested for [[lumber]]. A scientific forestry management plan was put into place in 1955. The timber management plan was expanded to a [[natural resource]] management plan in 1985. The new management plan covers the management of water, wildlife, timber, fire protection and recreation. Recreational use of the Rothrock State Forest has grown in the last several decades. All visitors are asked to learn and comply with all state forest regulations while using and respecting the forest and its facilities.<ref name="rsfhistory"/>
==Neighboring state forest districts==
*[[Sproul State Forest]] (north)
*[[Bald Eagle State Forest]] (northeast)
*[[Tuscarora State Forest]] (east)
*[[Buchanan State Forest]] (south)
*[[Gallitzin State Forest]] (west)
*[[Moshannon State Forest]] (northwest)
==Nearby state parks==
Four PA State Parks are located within Rothrock State Forest:
*[[Greenwood Furnace State Park]]
*[[Penn-Roosevelt State Park]]
*[[Trough Creek State Park]]
*[[Whipple Dam State Park]]
[[Image:Sassafrass Trail Rothrock State Park.jpg|thumb|right|Sassafrass Trail near Greenwood Furnace State Park]]
==Events==
Various events are held in Rothrock each year including the [[Wilderness 101 Mountain Bicycle Race|Wilderness 101]], a {{convert|101
==
On May 1, 2006, a wildfire from a downed power line burned more than 420 acres (170 hectacres) largely within Rothrock State Forest.<ref>{{Citation|last=Mertens|first=Bill|title=Tussey Ridge Fire Zone|date=2010-10-24|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/bill_mertens/5405329424/|access-date=2020-09-14}}</ref><ref>Abrams, Marc D., and Kim C. Steiner. “Long-Term Seedling Height Growth and Compositional Changes Following Logging and Wildfire in a Central Pennsylvania Oak Forest.” ''Castanea'', vol. 78, no. 4, 2013, pp. 256–65. ''JSTOR'', <nowiki>http://www.jstor.org/stable/24619717</nowiki>. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
"On the afternoon of May 1, 2006, a wildfire was started from a downed power line and eventually burned (as a combination of surface and canopy fire) approximately 172 ha of the Treaster Kettle area"</ref><ref>https://bcfire.proboards.com/thread/392/treaster-kettle-fire</ref> The Tussey Mountain Trail transects the burned area, showcasing springtime wildflowers and grasses among the charred trees. This trail has become a regional favorite among mountain cyclists, trail runners, and hikers alike.
== Stewardship ==
Rothrock State forest is managed by the [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] (DCNR). Numerous advocacy groups exist to promote [[sustainable land management]] in and around the Forest, including Nittany Mountain Bike Association,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-04|title=NMBA|url=http://nittanymba.org/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=NMBA|language=en-US}}</ref> Friends of Rothrock State Forest,<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.friendsofrothrock.org/about.html|access-date=2020-09-17|website=FRIENDS OF ROTHROCK STATE FOREST|language=en}}</ref> Clearwater Conservancy,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mission|url=https://www.clearwaterconservancy.org/copy-of-who-we-are|access-date=2020-09-17|website=ClearWater|language=en}}</ref> and the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mission & Goals|url=https://paparksandforests.org/about-us/mission-goals/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=PA Parks & Forests}}</ref>
==Other attractions==
===Mountain Biking===
==== Opportunities ====
Numerous mountain biking trails can be found throughout Rothrock State Forest. It is one of the premier mountain bike destinations in the state, as evidenced by the world class race events held here annually. Shingletown Gap and Coopers Gap are two areas that have a high concentration of popular mountain bike trails. Rothrock has two [[International Mountain Bicycling Association|IMBA]] Epic rides; each uses trails in these two separate Gaps.
==== Navigation ====
Many cyclists and hikers use a Rothrock Purple Lizard Map to navigate of the forest. Additional print maps and resources can be found on the Keystone Trails Association website and IMBA’s website. Free print maps are available from the [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources|DCNR]] Rothrock State Forest webpage or Nittany Mountain Bike Association’s site. Many trails have been mapped on [[OpenStreetMap]], as well.
===Hiking===
The Rothrock State Forest contains nearly 300 miles of hiking trails.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=PA DCNR - Rothrock|url=http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/rothrock/index.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728182157/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/rothrock/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 28, 2012|access-date=2017-02-25|website=www.dcnr.state.pa.us}}</ref> The [[Mid State Trail (Pennsylvania)|Pennsylvania Mid State Trail]] (MST), a 326-mile cross-country trail running from the [[Green Ridge State Forest]] in Maryland to a spur of the [[Finger Lakes Trail|Finger Lakes trail]] in New York, crosses the Rothrock State Forest for about 42 miles. In addition to the MST and miles of local hiking trails, Rothrock State Forest includes roughly 16 miles of the 70+ miles long [[Standing Stone Trail]] (SST).<ref name=":0" />
===Horseback Riding===
Horses may be ridden on most of Rothrock's hundreds of miles of trails and state forest roads. Horses are not permitted on the [[Mid State Trail (Pennsylvania)|Pennsylvania Mid State Trail]] (MST), [[Standing Stone Trail]] (SST), or in Natural Areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Horseback Riding |url=https://www.dcnr.pa.gov:443/StateForests/FindAForest/Rothrock/Pages/HorsebackRiding.aspx |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Dual Sport Motorcycle Trails===
There are no dual-sport motorcycle trails in Rothrock State Forest. Neighboring Bald Eagle State Forest has one of the largest motorcycle trail systems in the state. Street legal motorcycles are allowed to ride the public roads in Rothrock, and this is a popular destination for motorcyclists.
== Natural and wild areas ==
[[File:Alan Seeger Natural Area.jpg|thumb|left|A trail crosses a rhododendron-lined creek in the [[Alan Seeger Natural Area]].]]
[[File:Bear Meadows NA.jpg|thumb|right|Bear Meadows Natural Area is centered on a wetland environment.]]
* [[Alan Seeger Natural Area]]: Huntingdon County, {{convert|390|acre|ha}} north of Greenwood Furnace State Park. Includes about {{convert|25|acre|ha}} of [[old-growth forest|old-growth]] [[Eastern white pine]] and [[Eastern hemlock]], with some trees {{convert|4.5|ft|m}} in diameter and nearly 1,000 years old.<ref name="OldGrowthEastPA">{{Cite web
|url = http://www.primalnature.org/ogeast/pa.pdf
|title = Old Growth in the East: A Survey. Pennsylvania
|author = Mary Byrd Davis
|date = 23 January 2008
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120217114942/http://www.primalnature.org/ogeast/pa.pdf
|archive-date = 17 February 2012
}}</ref>
* [[Bear Meadows Natural Area]]: Centre County, {{convert|890|acre|ha}} four miles south of Boalsburg. Protects a {{convert|320|acre|ha}} boreal [[bog]] with old-growth [[black spruce]] and [[balsam fir]] forests.
* [[Big Flat Laurel Natural Area]]: Huntingdon and Centre Counties, {{convert|184|acre|ha}} four miles south of Boalsburg. Includes extensive stands of [[Kalmia latifolia|mountain laurel]].
* [[Detweiler Run Natural Area]]: Huntingdon County, {{convert|463|acre|ha}} southeast of Boalsburg. Includes {{convert|185|acre|ha}} of old-growth Eastern white pine and Eastern hemlock forests above a [[Rhododendron]] understory.<ref name = "OldGrowthEastPA"/>
* [[Little Juniata Natural Area]]: Huntingdon County, {{convert|624|acre|ha}} west of Barree. Includes a slope of [[sandstone|Tuscarora sandstone]] [[scree]] and a horizontal [[thrust fault]].
* [[Rocky Ridge Natural Area]]: Huntingdon County, {{convert|150|acre|ha}} south of Martin Gap. Includes exposed sandstone and [[limestone]] beneath an oak woodland.
* [[Thickhead Mountain Wild Area]]: Centre and Huntingdon counties, {{convert|4886|acre|ha}}. Forested ridges and mountains with over {{convert|50|acre|ha}} of old-growth ridgetop [[Chestnut Oak]] forests including trees up to 350 years old.<ref name = "OldGrowthEastPA"/>
* [[Trough Creek Wild Area]]: Huntingdon County, {{convert|1703|acre|ha}}.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*{{cite web
| url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/rothrock.aspx
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20040225202839/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/rothrock.aspx
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = February 25, 2004
| title = Rothrock State Forest
| access-date = 2006-07-25
| publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]]
}}
*{{cite web
| url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/images/district_realignment.gif
| title = State Forest Districts
| access-date = 2006-07-25
| publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
| url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060515050052/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/images/district_realignment.gif <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2006-05-15}} ''Note: Map showing districts after the July 1, 2005 realignment''
*{{cite web
| url = http://www.tusseymountainback.com/
| title = Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Relay and Ultramarathon
| access-date = 2006-07-25
}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Centre County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania state forests]]
[[Category:Old-growth forests]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1900]]
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