Landmark
Loyalsock Canyon Vista
MI 46
Overlook showing the ravine system of nearby World's End State Park.
The Loyalsock Trail is a roughly 59-mile trail through Loyalsock State Forest in north-central Pennsylvania, known for its vistas and waterfalls. It is free and walk-up with no permit; this page gives sourced trip info.
“A 59-mile trail through Loyalsock State Forest, past roughly 31 named waterfalls.”
Plan your Loyalsock State Forest (PA) trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Loyalsock Trail
Pennsylvania DCNR states backpack camping along the Loyalsock Trail needs no reservation or fee for ordinary use, and there is no booking system for our scanner to poll.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Loyalsock Trail permit season
- route distance, point to point
- 59mi
Loyalsock Trail elevation profile
PA Route 87 trailhead (south terminus) to The HaystacksTrailhead
PA Route 87 trailhead (south terminus)
Mile ≈0 of 57
0 PA Route 87 trailhead (south terminus)57 The Haystacks
- Mile
- ≈0
- Elevation
- ≈661 ft
Loyalsock Trail landmarks
Map of the Loyalsock Trail, PA Route 87 trailhead (south terminus) to The Haystacks
14 of 14 places in this section
This device cannot draw the interactive map.
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
How to get a Loyalsock Trail permit
As of September 2026, Loyalsock Trail in Loyalsock State Forest (PA), Pennsylvania requires a permit issued via walk-up. Loyalsock Trail rates 4/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Loyalsock Trail route covers 59 miles.
- Type
- Backpacking
- Location
- Loyalsock Creek watershed, Lycoming and Sullivan counties, PA
How this permit is issued
Official permit page →Step 1: How this permit is issued
Pennsylvania DCNR states backpack camping along the Loyalsock Trail needs no reservation or fee for ordinary use, and there is no booking system for our scanner to poll.
Step 2: Check the agency page before you go
Fees, hours and closures change. Confirm the current process at pa.gov before your trip.
Step 3: Have backup plans
Office hours move, ground closes, and popular trailheads get busy. Know an alternative route or date before you drive out.
Learn more:
More on Loyalsock Trail: Live availability activityLoyalsock Trail permit itinerary
How much a Loyalsock Trail permit costs
Loyalsock Trail permit fee: Free.
The Loyalsock Trail hike
- Distance
- 59 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- typically 5-7 days
- Elevation Range
- 665 - 2,140 ft
A 59-mile trail through Loyalsock State Forest, past roughly 31 named waterfalls.
About this permit
The Loyalsock Trail runs 59 miles through Loyalsock State Forest, known for its vistas and waterfalls. It is free and walk-up with no permit.
The route
From the PA Route 87 trailhead, the trail passes historic pre-industrial-era buildings near mile 20, Angel Falls at mile 23, the Loyalsock Canyon Vista at mile 46, and The Haystacks rapid at mile 57, before ending at the US Route 220 trailhead at Ringdale.
The feeling
The trail passes an 80-foot waterfall at Angel Falls, a class IV whitewater rapid at The Haystacks, and an overlook at Loyalsock Canyon Vista onto the ravine system of nearby World's End State Park.
How hard the Loyalsock Trail hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
When to hike Loyalsock Trail
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (665 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Day 4: 64% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
☁️
69°
60°
Wed
☁️
72°
59°
Thu
🌧️
71°
62°
45%
Fri
🌧️
78°
55°
64%
Sat
☀️
65°
47°
Sun
☁️
67°
45°
26%
Mon
☀️
58°
42°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Loyalsock Trail photography guide
Classic Shots
- Angel Falls
- Loyalsock Canyon Vista
Loyalsock Trail rules, gear and safety
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Loyalsock Trail.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Loyalsock Trail · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Loyalsock Trail FAQ
Do you need a permit to backpack the Loyalsock Trail?
No. Pennsylvania DCNR states backpack camping is permitted along the trail except in a few locations designated closed to camping -- there is no reservation or fee for ordinary backpacking.
How long is the Loyalsock Trail?
DCNR describes it as a 59-mile trail through Loyalsock State Forest; its own trail database lists 64.01 total miles including approach sections, running between PA Route 87 in the south and US Route 220 at Ringdale in the north.
Who maintains the Loyalsock Trail?
The Alpine Club of Williamsport, which laid out and has maintained the trail since 1953, building on a route Explorer Scouts first blazed in 1951.
What are the biggest landmarks on the Loyalsock Trail?
Angel Falls, an 80-foot waterfall around mile 23, and the Loyalsock Canyon Vista at mile 46, which overlooks the ravines of nearby World's End State Park, are two of the trail's best-known stops.
How many waterfalls are on the Loyalsock Trail?
Trail guides count roughly 31 waterfalls along the route, fed by tributaries including Little Painter Run, Ogdonia Creek, and several branches of Mill Creek.
How is the Loyalsock Trail marked?
Pennsylvania's trail database describes it as blazed with yellow discs bearing red 'LT' letters.
Loyalsock Trail trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
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Trip Reports
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