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  1. #1

    Default Is Overnighting Allowed

    Does anyone know if overnight camping is allowed in Pennsylvania during deer season for non thru hikers? Thanks

  2. #2
    GoldenBear's Avatar
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    Post Here's the horse's mouth

    http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Dis....html&d=reduce

    You can camp in State Game Lands in PA as long as you
    1) are no more than 200 feet from the AT
    2) are more than 500 feet from a water source
    3) stay no more than one night at one spot
    4) start and end your hike at different spots

  3. #3
    Registered User Majortrauma's Avatar
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    Default

    And I'd wear a blaze orange beanie just to be on the safe side.
    You can't camp more than 200 ft from the trail but must be more than 500 ft from a water source? I'm sure that's vigorously enforced.

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by Majortrauma View Post
    And I'd wear a blaze orange beanie just to be on the safe side.
    You can't camp more than 200 ft from the trail but must be more than 500 ft from a water source? I'm sure that's vigorously enforced.
    The most common guideline I’ve heard for camping near water is a 200 foot minimum. Since animals come to water maybe 500 feet makes more sense in hunting season.

  5. #5
    Registered User Majortrauma's Avatar
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    Default

    No, actually that 500' rule has no applicability to hunting season or animals. It's more to discourage human animals from fouling the water but 200' for a camp site but 500' from water source still doesn't make any sense. I don't know why this rule would be so different rom the AT "rules". VERY few camp sites or shelters on the AT are 166 yards from a water source.
    And PA may not treat thru hikers any differently than section hikers.

  6. #6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Majortrauma View Post
    No, actually that 500' rule has no applicability to hunting season or animals.
    Since the rule is for “State Game Lands”, I assume it has something to do with animals and/or hunting.

  7. #7

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    Here are camping regulations along the AT by state:
    https://appalachiantrail.org/explore...g-regulations/
    Here are camping regulations in PA state forests and parks
    https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Recreation/W...s/default.aspx
    Here is an article on camping in Pa State Game Lands. Camping on Pennsylvania State Game Lands is generally prohibited, with one exception: Hikers may camp within 200 feet of the Appalachian Trail where it passes through game lands.
    https://goneoutdoors.com/167264-camp...game-land.html

    Here is information on camping in the Allegheny National Forest in PA.
    https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/all...=6083&actid=34
    Last edited by gpburdelljr; 10-17-2021 at 17:20.

  8. #8

    Default

    Thank you all

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