Pennsylvania’s Musser Gap Trail is expanded in Centre’s Rothrock State Forest

Harrisburg — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, alongside trail volunteers and local officials on June 25, officially opened the second 11-mile stretch of the new Musser Gap Trail in Rothrock State Forest, Centre County.

That opening marked the latest significant step in the development of approximately 50 new miles of sustainable trails connecting communities and providing outdoor adventure in Centre and Huntingdon counties.

DCNR has invested nearly $3 million in land acquisitions, trail development, and the extension of the Musser Gap Trail, including $500,000 for the second phase.

This effort is made possible through collaboration with the Rothrock Trail Alliance, ClearWater Conservancy, local governments, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, and other private supporters.

“Investing in sustainable trails like this connects people to nature and strengthens Pennsylvania’s $20.4 billion outdoor recreation economy,” said Dunn.

“Outdoor access and economic vitality go hand in hand.”

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The Musser Gap Trail, she added, is a powerful example of what the state can achieve when passionate communities, public agencies, and local organizations come together with a shared vision.

The long-term vision for the new trail is a 50-mile loop system of natural-surface, sustainable biking, hiking and equestrian paths that will connect with hundreds of existing miles of trails throughout Rothrock State Forest.

DCNR awarded $375,000 to the Rothrock Trail Alliance for the third phase of the Musser Gap Trail, which would connect the trail to Greenwood Furnace State Park. This new connection would create access to Greenwood Lake and ample camping opportunities at the park and would bring the length of the new trails to about 30 miles.

The Rothrock Trail Alliance is seeking volunteers to assist in a variety of ways, including trail finish work, website maintenance, social media, capital campaign support, membership tracking, communications and more.

“It’s our community that made this happen. They’re the ones, whether it’s the business, our elected officials, our citizens, that made this happen,” said Jay Ziegler, Rothrock Trail Alliance board chairman.