Junctions & access · MD Border – Rainsburg Gap
Maryland border / southern terminus
MI ≈1.6 · ≈885 ft
Southern end in Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians
The Mid State Trail is Pennsylvania's longest trail, running from the Maryland border to New York across Rothrock, Bald Eagle, and Tioga State Forests. It is free and walk-up with no permit; this page gives sourced trip info.
“Pennsylvania's longest trail, from the Maryland border near Flintstone to the New York state line.”
Plan your Rothrock State Forest (PA) trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Mid State Trail
Pennsylvania's state forests along the Mid State Trail allow free one-night backpack camping without a permit, and there is no reservation or booking system for our scanner to poll.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Mid State Trail permit season
- route distance, point to point
- 324.22mi
Mid State Trail elevation profile
Mason-Dixon Line trailhead near Flintstone, MD (south terminus) to Hills Creek LakeTrailhead
Mason-Dixon Line trailhead near Flintstone, MD (south terminus)
Mile ≈0 of 294.6
0 Mason-Dixon Line trailhead near Flintstone, MD (south terminus)294.6 Hills Creek Lake
- Mile
- ≈0
- Elevation
- ≈878 ft
Mid State Trail landmarks
Map of the Mid State Trail Thru-Hike, Mason-Dixon Line trailhead near Flintstone, MD (south terminus) to Pennsylvania–New York border
2 of 2 places in this section
This device cannot draw the interactive map.
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
How to get a Mid State Trail permit
No reservation. You get the permit when you arrive.
Arrive in person
Get your permit
Free
Head out
Rothrock State Forest (PA) trailheads and fees
- Mason-Dixon Line
Free
Rothrock State Forest (PA) trailhead in full
Primary
Mason-Dixon Line trailhead
As of September 2026, Mid State Trail in Rothrock State Forest (PA), Pennsylvania requires a permit issued via walk-up. Mid State Trail rates 3/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Mid State Trail route covers 324.22 miles.
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- Appalachian Mountains and Allegheny Plateau, central Pennsylvania, PA
How this permit is issued
Official permit page →Step 1: How this permit is issued
Pennsylvania's state forests along the Mid State Trail allow free one-night backpack camping without a permit, and there is no reservation or 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 Mid State Trail: Live availability activityMid State Trail Thru-Hike permit itinerary
How much a Mid State Trail permit costs
Mid State Trail permit fee: Free.
The Mid State Trail hike
- Distance
- 324.22 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- typically 3-4 weeks for a full thru-hike
Pennsylvania's longest trail, from the Maryland border near Flintstone to the New York state line.
About this permit
The Mid State Trail is Pennsylvania's longest trail, running from the Maryland border to the New York state line across Rothrock, Bald Eagle, and Tioga State Forests. It is free and walk-up with no permit.
The route
From the Mason-Dixon Line trailhead near Flintstone, Maryland, the trail runs north through the Everett region at mile 32.1, State College's Rothrock State Forest, RB Winter State Park, Woolrich at mile 207.4, and the Tioga region, to the New York state line north of Cowanesque Lake.
The feeling
The trail runs the length of the state through Rothrock, Bald Eagle, and Tioga State Forests, passing near Everett, State College, Woolrich, and Tioga along the way.
How hard the Mid State 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-route4/5
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 Mid State Trail
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
☁️
71°
61°
Wed
☁️
77°
56°
Thu
☁️
85°
63°
Fri
🌧️
85°
59°
51%
Sat
☁️
69°
50°
23%
Sun
☁️
69°
48°
35%
Mon
☁️
66°
45°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Mid State Trail rules, gear and safety
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Mid State Trail.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Mid State 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.
Mid State Trail FAQ
Do you need a permit to hike the Mid State Trail?
No. Pennsylvania's state forests along the route allow free one-night backpack camping without a permit; a free permit is only needed for a second consecutive night at one site, a spring campfire, or an emergency contact registration.
How long is the Mid State Trail?
Pennsylvania DCNR's own trail database lists it at 324.22 miles, making it the longest trail entirely within Pennsylvania and one of only three trails (with the Appalachian Trail and North Country Trail) that cross the state border to border.
Where does the Mid State Trail start and end?
It runs from the Mason-Dixon Line near Flintstone, Maryland, through central Pennsylvania, to the New York state line just north of Cowanesque Lake.
Who maintains the Mid State Trail?
The Mid State Trail Association, formed in 1982, maintains and protects the route in cooperation with the state forests, state game lands, and state parks it crosses.
How is the Mid State Trail marked?
The main trail uses 5-by-15-centimeter orange rectangular blazes; side trails use yellow or red blazes.
Is the Mid State Trail connected to the Standing Stone Trail?
Yes. The Standing Stone Trail's north end meets the Mid State Trail just north of Alan Seeger Natural Area, so many hikers combine both trails into one longer trip.
Mid State Trail trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
No questions yet
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Mid State Trail permit
Where to stay near Mid State Trail
- Fifteen Mile Creek CampsiteChesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Paw Paw Tunnel CampsiteChesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Spring Gap CampgroundChesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- All Pennsylvania campgrounds
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
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