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Alerts

Forest Orders

As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors.

These rules are available to you online below or at any office of the Allegheny National Forest. Please take time to read and understand them. If you have additional questions, please call your local Forest Service Office for clarification.

Alerts and Emergency Closures

In addition, the Forest Supervisor may issue Special Orders and Closures that will close or restrict the use of certain areas if the need arises. Emergency closure orders will be posted as an Alert so visitors to the Forest can reasonably be expected to be familiar with them.

Forest Alerts

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

    The Federal Aviation Administration (external link) (FAA) has regulatory authority over all airspace. The U.S.

    Alert Start Date: July 26th, 2022
  • Forest Road 457 Closed

    The emergency closure of Allegheny National Forest Road 457 in McKean County was due to damage from heavy rain near the Meade Run culvert.

    Alert Start Date: April 7th, 2022
  • Northern Goshawks are Protected Endangered Species

    Northern goshawks are listed as endangered species in Pennsylvania.  It is unlawful under the Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code for anyone, including permitted falconers, to take a northern goshawk from the wild for any purpose.

    Alert Start Date: March 29th, 2022
  • Forest Order 09-19-21-02 Feeding of Wildlife Restriction

    Feeding of wildlife on National Forest land is temporarily prohibited to prevent or slow the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease among white-tailed deer and mange among black bears.

    Alert Start Date: September 1st, 2021
  • Forest Order 09-19-11-01 Nansen Area Closure

    The closure area is located within Highland Township, Elk County. The area is north of State Route 66 and the town of Nansen, near the terminus of Forest Road 327-2, south of the Twin Lakes Hiking Trail, and west of the powerline that runs north from Nansen.

    Alert Start Date: November 22nd, 2019
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-09 Allegheny (Kinzua) Reservoir

    At the Allegheny (Kinzua) Reservoir:

    Alert Start Date: June 6th, 2017
  • Picking Ginseng is Prohibited

    Ginseng populations on the Allegheny National Forest are sparse. As such, collection for both personal and commercial use is prohibited.

    Alert Start Date: May 30th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-07 Horse and Livestock Use

    Visitors cannot posses or use a saddle, pack or draft animal 

    • on forest trails NOT designated for that use,
    • off of designated trails within the Spring Creek Horse Use Area, or
    • off of designated roadways within the Buzzard Swamp Recreation Area.
    Alert Start Date: May 17th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-22 Kelly Pines Campground

    In Kelly Pines Campground, between May 1 and October 31, visitors cannot use campsites 3, 4, 5, 6 and/or 7 unless they are camping with saddle, pack and/or draft animals or traveling on the Spring Creek Horse Trail system with saddle, pack and/or draft animals.

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-19 Loleta Recreation Area

    There is no fishing allowed in the designated swimming area of Loleta Recreation Area between May 1 and September 30.

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-16 Bicycles on Forest Trails

    Visitors cannot use bicycles on the following trail systems:

    • Laurel Mill Hiking and Cross-country Ski Trail System
    • North Country National Scenic Trail
    • Minister Trail Creek System
    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-15 Camping Along Roads and Waterways

    Within the boundaries of the Allegheny National Forest it is prohibited to:

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-14 Rimrock Recreation Area

    Within the Rimrock Recreation Area it is prohibited to secure ropes or other devices to the stone ballasts and/or steel railings for the purpose of rappelling and/or climbing.

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-13 Hearts Content Scenic Area

    Within the Hearts Content Scenic Area it is prohibited to:

    • Camp,
    • Build, maintain, attend or use fire,
    • posses or use a saddle, pack, or draft animal,
    • possess or use a bicycle.
    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-12 Tionesta Natural and Scenic Areas

    Within the Tionesta Natural and Scenic Areas it is prohibited to:

    • Camp,
    • Build, maintain, attend or use fire,
    • posses or use a saddle, pack, or draft animal,
    • possess or use a bicycle.
    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-11 Beaver Meadows Recreation Area

    Within Beaver Meadows it is prohibited to possess or operate a motorboat upon the water or to camp within the decommissioned developed campground.

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-10 Twin Lakes

    • At Twin Lakes it is prohibited to possess or operate a motorboat on the lake.
    • Between May 1st and September 30th fishing is prohibited on the swimming beach, from the eastern-most buoy to the inlet of Hoffman Run.
    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-24 Annual Tour de Forest

    Every year on the weekend before Memorial Day weekend and the weekend before Columbus Day weekend, from Saturday at 12:01 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday certain roads and trails are closed to camping and/or driving for the Marienville Volunteer Fire Company's Tour de Forest.

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-08 Tionesta Reservoir

    At the Tionesta Reservoir it is prohibited to:

    • camp within 1500 feet of the shore except at designated campsites.
    • possessing a beverage which is defined by state law as an alcoholic beverage.
    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-05 Buzzard Swamp Area

    In the Buzzard Swamp Area 

    • any and all entry into the area set aside as a refuge and propagation area is prohibited;
    • no possessing or using a saddle, pack or draft animal off of designated roadways.
    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-23 Tree Stands, Hunting Blinds, and Trail Cameras

    • It is prohibited to leave tree stands or blinds not clearly identified on National Forest System lands.
    • You cannot leave stands or blinds on National Forest System lands between the period two weeks prior to the start of Pennsylvania's first deer season and two weeks after the conclu
    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-21 Controlled Substances

    It is prohibited to possess, utilize, and/or distribute any controlled substances and/or associated paraphernalia on National Forest System lands.

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-18 Public Nudity

    You cannot be publicly nude on National Forest System lands.

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-17 Alcoholic Beverages

    You cannot consume alcoholic beverages in violation of state law on National Forest System lands.

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-06 Boating Regulations

    The following acts and/or omissions are prohibited on Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania: Operating or utilizing any marine vessel or flotation device in violation of Pennsylvania and/or United States law

     

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-04 Off Road Vehicles

    The following acts are prohibited on the Allegheny National Forest, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: 

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-03 Vehicle Use

    The following acts are prohibited on all National Forest system roads within the Allegheny National Forest, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, until further notice: 

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-02 Developed Campgrounds

    Use of Campgrounds

    Campsite occupancy shall not exceed:

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-01 Occupancy Limits

    The following acts are prohibited on the Allegheny National Forest, within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

    Camping or otherwise occupying Allegheny National Forest lands by any individual(s) for a period longer than fourteen days within a 30 day period.

    Alert Start Date: May 16th, 2017
  • Forest Order 09-19-17-20 Firewood

    Protect the Allegheny and do not bring firewood from home to the Allegheny National Forest. Possession of firewood from outside the area of the Allegheny National Forest is prohibited.

    Alert Start Date: April 16th, 2015
  • Forest Order 09-19-94 Tracy Ridge National Recreation Area

    No mountain bikes or saddle, pack, or draft animals can enter or use Tracy Ridge Recreation Area.

    Alert Start Date: September 11th, 1994