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Established Camping

North Campground — Michaux State Forest

Description

Michaux State Forest encompasses more than 85,500 acres in the South Mountain area of Adams, Cumberland, and Franklin County.

Considered Pennsylvania’s “cradle of forestry”, Michaux is the site of the first forestry school, Mont Alto. The forest is named for the French botanist, Andre Michaux, who discovered and named many plants during the 18th century.

For more information visit the Michaux State Forest website and Facebook page.

This confirmation serves as your State Forest Campsite Permit for the campsite listed above. This permit is null and void if the reservation is cancelled or transferred prior to the date of arrival. You must have a copy of the permit on person during your stay.

Occupants are subject to the following permit conditions:

  1. Campfires, when permitted, require precautions be taken to prevent spread of fire to the forest. Campfires shall be attended at all times. Campfires are prohibited March 1st through May 25th without authorization from the District Forester, or when fire danger is high, very high, or extreme. This prohibition does not apply to self-contained camp stoves when used in a safe manner. A person causing a wildfire, in addition to possible criminal penalty, is liable for all damages, costs of extinction and fines.

  2. Dead and down wood may be gathered and burned when permitted but may not be removed from the site. Power tools and chain saws are not permitted. Destruction of Property, damaging, defacing, or removing any sign, structure, equipment or other material is prohibited.

  3. Occupants shall include at least one person 18 years of age or older. This permit may not be reassigned or transferred.

  4. Pets are permitted on State Forest land if kept under control and attended at all times. Animal waste must be disposed of properly.

  5. Disorderly conduct is prohibited, including creating unreasonable noise that may disturb other campers and visitors to state forest land. Generators that create excessive noise are prohibited.

  6. Limit of 7 continuous days of camping on state forest land. Camping cannot be resumed until 48 hours have passed. All vehicles and equipment must be removed from state forest land during this time. Members of this camping party may not reserve a campsite until 48 hours have passed.

  7. Washing in a water outlet, spring, lake or waterway and discharging sewage, or gray water on or into ground or surface waters is prohibited. Toilets must be used where provided. In other locations self-contained toilets must be used when required or human waste deposited in hole 4-6 inches deep, 200 feet from water, campsite, or trails and covered and hidden.

  8. Littering is prohibited. Garbage/waste/rubbish must be removed from site and disposed of properly. Parking which obstructs a gate, entrance, exit or road turnaround on State Forest land is prohibited. Parking in area designated for a person with a disability, by the Department, is prohibited unless the vehicle has a valid plate or placard.

  9. Damaging/removing a living or dead plant on State Forest land is prohibited. Edible wild plants or plant parts may be gathered if for personal use. Removing or disturbing historical/archeological resources from State Forest land is prohibited. Target Shooting of any kind is prohibited.

  10. Occupants are subject to State Forest Rules and Regulations, found online at https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/RulesAndRegulations/Pages/default.aspx, posted onsite, or by contacting the district office. Occupants are subject to any other information and instructions included in the campsite or facility notes, alerts, and important information.

Violations : Violations of forest rules and regulations, or violations of a condition of this permit could result in any or all of the following consequences:

  1. The permit may be revoked. This will result in the occupants being required to vacate the facility immediately.
  2. The occupants may be required to leave the forest.
  3. The occupants may be cited for a violation of the forest rules and regulations, a summary offense.
  4. The occupants are responsible for any damage to campsite or facilities that occurred during or due to their occupancy.
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Location

North Campground — Michaux State Forest is located in Pennsylvania

Detail location of campground

Directions

The District Office is located on Route 30, 12 miles from Gettysburg and 10 from Chambersburg. From 1-81 North, take Route 30 at exit 16. Travel 8.5 miles on Route 30. From I-81 South, take the Scotland Exit and travel 997 South to Route 30. Turn left toward Gettysburg. Travel 2.5 miles on Route 30. From Route 233 South, turn right onto Route 30 for .4 miles. From Route 233 North, turn left onto Route 30 for .4 miles.

Address

10099 Lincoln Way West
Fayetteville, PA 17222

Coordinates

39.87858874 N
77.47403776 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Electric Hookups
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

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4.5

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7 Reviews

Reviewed May. 31, 2022

Free Primative/Motorized Camping, Need Permit

Great campsite - Site 8, Hairy Springs; long walk from vehicle so pack lightly.  Had great water source from boy scouts (easy to fill buckets)  and large place to put up tent.  2 different fire rings, no picnic table.  Not much hiking available from the site- be careful if walking down the stream as it disappears underground (very cool to hear, babbling brook style) but very easy to get turned around in the thickets...  Saw evidence of BEAR near our tent after hiking - but stayed the 2nd night with no incident.  (Yelling "HEY BEAR" every couple minutes.. haha - scary!)  Beautiful night sky!

SiteSite 8 - Hairy Springs
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Breanna F., May 31, 2022
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Breanna F., May 31, 2022
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Breanna F., May 31, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 14, 2021

Site 10

Primitive site in Michaux. Has a fire pit and that’s it, but FREE. You need to go online and get a permit. I’ve been to a lot of sites in this SF and this is one of my favorites. There’s actually three places to pitch a tent. One is right off the road, one is a little further down (where I stayed this time), and the third if along the lollipop trail and looks out into a meadow. It’s beautiful but about a five minute walk, so if you do that, don’t bring a lot. No water at this site, that’s the only downside. Do yourself a favor and hike around Long Pine Reservoir while you are there. There’s also a lot of beautiful places along Ridge Road to get out and wander.

Sitesite 10
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Joann&WellsThePup I., July 14, 2021
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Joann&WellsThePup I., July 14, 2021
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Joann&WellsThePup I., July 14, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2021

Site 5 - Primitive

This is a primitive site so all that is there is a fire ring. Sites are free, but you must reserve them online and get a permit. Site is MASSIVE and there is a parking lot that can fit several cars. Stream right past the site that was flowing well in May. Close to lots of mountain biking trails

Sitesite 5 - saw mill
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Joann&WellsThePup I., July 9, 2021
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Joann&WellsThePup I., July 9, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2021

AT - Off Shippensburg Road

Park at the lot off Shippensburg road and then hike SOBO a little less than a mile. Lots of nice sites along the creek before you cross the bridge. If you hit the AT shelter you’ve gone too far. Most have fire rings and the stream runs well so no need to pack in water.

SiteAT SOBO off Shippensburg Rd
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Joann&WellsThePup I., July 8, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2021

Site 8 - Hairy Springs

Great site with fire pit and even a spring house that an Eagle Scout built. No need to carry water in. About 1/4 hike from your car to site Primitive camping at its finest and FREE. just need a permit which you can get online

Sitesite 8 - Hairy Springs
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Joann&WellsThePup I., July 8, 2021
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Reviewed Jun. 28, 2020

NOT THE CAMPGROUND, Primitive Roadside Campsite #10

This was our second time in Michaux State Forest. We previously stayed at #6, but this site #10 was definitely an upgrade. 

There's a parking area which fits several cars, and I actually counted 4 campsites there is immediate access to. One is immediately to the left, one is maybe 50 feet further down the trail, another straight down the hill and along to the left, and the last is about a 5 minute walk from the road, straight down the hill, right at the T, and then at the back of the open field you come to. 

We stayed at the second site to the left, where there is a sign that says "Camps Trail", and I believe this is the main site. It is very roomy. There's a large fire pit, and two decent spots for a tent. My two drawbacks were no stream/creek, and lots of big flies, especially in the morning, though harmless. 

The Upper and Lower Lollipop trails are literally at this campsites front doorstep. Both trails branch off the the right where there is a sign for the Lower Trail. You can do a loop if you connect at the bottom along the road the come to. It is an easy trail, 1-2 hour loop depending on your speed. 

The Camps trail starts at this campsite's back door. We hiked part of this gorgeous trail, which enters many different types of forests. We saw a baby deer on this hike. We were the only hikers, but mountain bikers love this trail. 

All in all the campsite was gorgeous, though not incredibly private because of all the trail heads, but that didn't bother us for everyone passing by was very friendly.

SitePrimitive Campsite #10
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Tommy S., June 28, 2020
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Tommy S., June 28, 2020
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Tommy S., June 28, 2020
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jun. 28, 2020

NOT THE CAMPGROUND, Primitive Roadside Site #6

Most of these roadsite sites are listed on Google. You can stay for free, but you need to obtain a permit for large groups, or if you plan to stay for 2 or more nights.

6. This was the last site available on this section of road when we arrived on Sunday night. The site had some discarded food items around, but was otherwise pretty clean. Its right in the nook of a hairpin turn up the hill, so you hear cars come and go from almost the same direction, though the site is somewhat hidden. The fire ring was a good size, there's a few level spots for a tent, and plenty of nice trees for shade and a hammock. No bathroom, bring your shovel. Wished there had been a stream or creek near this site, but there wasn't.

The Appalachian Trail was a few minutes drive up the hill, where you can take a short hike North to the AT midway marker. It’s a beautiful, clean trail where you pass very few, even mid-spring on a gorgeous day.

You can also drive 10 minutes to the Sunset Rocks trailhead from this campsite. It is a short but very steep climb to Sunset Rocks, with a limited but very decent lookout.

SitePrimitive Campsite #6
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Tommy S., June 28, 2020
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Tommy S., June 28, 2020
  • Review photo of North Campground — Michaux State Forest by Tommy S., June 28, 2020
  • (11) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Does North Campground — Michaux State Forest have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, North Campground — Michaux State Forest has 30 amp and 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

Are fires allowed at North Campground — Michaux State Forest?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at North Campground — Michaux State Forest, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.