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 (RTA), 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-we are proud to work with community leaders like the Rothrock Trail Alliance, the ClearWater Conservancy, Centre County Commissioners and other leaders who recognize that outdoor access and economic vitality go hand in hand,” said Secretary Dunn.
“The Musser Gap Trail is a powerful example of what we 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.
The project aligns with Governor Shapiro’s broader strategy to improve quality of life and economic opportunity in the Commonwealth by supporting infrastructure that encourages outdoor recreation, all modes of transportation, and vibrant main streets.
DCNR awarded $375,000 to the RTA 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 Chair. “Together with previous work, the community has built a total of 18 miles of trail in Rothrock State Forest.”
“This work has been a labor of love for nearly a decade … We have a commitment to shared-use trails that allow more people to access the forest with less impact on the forest itself,” said Elizbeth Crisfield, executive director of the ClearWater Conservancy. “ClearWater is proud to be the nonprofit home for the Rothrock Trail Alliance and to work for equitable access to nature across all our programs, especially including our land protection program and Centered Outdoors.”
“The Center County Commissioners have supported this project through ClearWater Conservancy, the Rothrock Trail Alliance’s nonprofit home, for five years — we jumped in with both feet,” said Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins. “The loop system will connect Centre and Huntingdon counties, which will expand opportunities in Rothrock State Forest. [Tourism] has now gone to an over $1 billion industry just in Centre County, employing over 8,000 people. Pre-covid, it was only 6,000, so that’s like a 33 percent increase in employment in a major industry.”
“This project represents more than 11 miles of trail we’re here to celebrate today — it represents the kind of infrastructure investment that makes our region stronger,” said Eric Engelbart II, President and CEO of the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.
“These trails are built first and foremost for the people who live here, for the families, the hikers, the runners, the cyclists, outdoor enthusiasts, and residents who want the beauty of the Rothrock State Forest in a new way. At the same time, projects like this strengthen our visitor economy.
“When we invest in outdoor recreation, we create experiences that attract people to Happy Valley and the surrounding region. Visitors come here to explore, stay in hotels, eat in our restaurants, shop in our communities and support local businesses,” said Engelbart.
“We have thousands of miles of existing trails in Huntingdon County … and we’ve made a commitment as a visitors bureau to supporting our trails,” said Matt Price, Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau Executive Director. “This project accomplishes two major goals in the Huntingdon County Active Transportation Plan: Establishing trail connections to our neighboring counties … and we’re also making connections to our communities and our parks, like Whipple Dam.”
Click Here for the DCNR announcement.
Upcoming Event
-- July 7 -- Outdoor Business Alliance Of PA Hosts Webinar On Accessing Funding For Your Outdoor Business
Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.
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Related Articles This Week:
-- DCNR Now Accepting Nominations For 2027 Pennsylvania Trail Of The Year [PaEN]
-- Outdoor Business Alliance Of PA Hosts July 7 Webinar On Accessing Funding For Your Outdoor Business [PaEN]
-- Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation Now Available
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-- PA House Passes Bill To Encourage Pollinator, Native Insect Habitat On State-Owned Property [PaEN]
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NewsClips:
-- PennLive Guest Essay: Pennsylvanians Agree On This - Our State Parks Need Funding Now - By Bradley Mallory, PA Parks & Forests Foundation Board Member
-- Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Approves $4.55 Million To Advance The Circuit Trails Network In Philadelphia Region
-- PennLive: Lancaster Conservancy To Purchase 31 Acres To Add To Robert A. Kinsley Nature Preserve In Hellam Twp., York County
-- WITF - The Spark: PA Author Tory Mather Highlights Hidden Natural Wonders Across The Commonwealth
-- Tribune-Democrat: Celebration Will Mark 50th Anniversary Of Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: ‘Amazing Asset’
-- Tribune-Democrat: 9/11 Trail Alliance Acquires Portage Property, Eyes ‘Much Better Route’ Through Cambria
-- TribLive: Armstrong County Trail Groups Say Vandalism Diverts Resources From Improvements And Maintenance
-- WVIA: Luzerne County Native Hits Halfway Point In Trek From Georgia To Maine On Appalachian Trail
-- Observer-Reporter: North Strabane Twp. To Assess Land For Recreation Complex In Washington County
-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader: Field Notes - Thankful For Pennsylvania Parks
[Posted: June 27, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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