Snowmobile Season to Begin in Allegheny National Forest

File Photo

Snowmobile season will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, December 15 in the Allegheny National Forest. Snowmobile trails will remain open until March 31, 2024. 

Sufficient snowfall is needed for the trails to be useable. 

According the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, all winter recreationists in the forest should be aware of the following for the 2023-24 winter season: 

• Temporary re-route of approximately 3.45 miles of the Allegheny Snowmobile Loop near
  Four Corners in Highland Township, Elk County. The re-route uses Forest Road (FR) 661,
  the Timberline ATV trail, and Corduroy Road (T-322), a township road that is open to
  snowmobiles. The new route will be signed, and the former trail segment will be closed.
• FR 141 and FR 262 (Longhouse Scenic Drive) will be open to snowmobile use this
  winter. These roads were closed during the 2020/2021 season due to construction.
• Connector Trail #38 (Lewis Run Snowmobile Bypass Trail) is located east of Marshburg, PA
  on both private property and National Forest System lands. The 5.5-mile trail segment
  provides an alternative route to the main 1A trail that utilizes FR 455. It begins at Pine Acres
  Country Club and ends at the intersection of FR 188 and FR 455.
• Connector Trail #39 (Bradford Airport Connector Trail) is located east of Marshburg, PA on
  both private property and National Forest System lands. The trail segment provides access
  to the main 1A trail via FR 310. Trail segments begin at the Bradford Regional Airport and
  the intersection of State Highways 59 and 219. The trail ends at existing snowmobile trail
  connector #38.

The Department of Agriculture said there are approximately 365 miles of interconnected trails. Trail users are reminded to: 

• Stay on designated trails
• Practice the Leave No Trace principles of outdoor ethics
• Follow the Tread Lightly T.R.E.A.D. principles
• Plan ahead and prepare for variable trail and weather conditions
• Remember that motorized vehicles are not allowed on the Allegheny Reservoir once it is
  frozen

Additionally, until there is a significant amount of snow on the ground, the maintained snowmobile trails will not be groomed. 

More information can be found here.