Trailhead
Cowans Gap State Park (south terminus)
MI ≈0 · ≈1,273 ft
The Standing Stone Trail runs 84 miles through Rothrock State Forest and Cowans Gap State Park in central Pennsylvania. It is free and walk-up with no permit; this page gives sourced trip info.
“An 84-mile trail through Rothrock State Forest, from Cowans Gap State Park to Detweiler Run.”
Plan your Rothrock State Forest (PA) trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Standing Stone Trail
Rothrock State Forest, which most of the Standing Stone Trail crosses, requires no permit for a normal one-night backpack stay, and there is no reservation or booking system for our scanner to poll.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Standing Stone Trail permit season
- route distance, point to point
- 84.2mi
Standing Stone Trail elevation profile
Cowans Gap State Park (south terminus) to Three Springs, PA (trail town)Trailhead
Cowans Gap State Park (south terminus)
Mile ≈0 of 61
0 Cowans Gap State Park (south terminus)61 Three Springs, PA (trail town)
- Mile
- ≈0
- Elevation
- ≈1,273 ft
Standing Stone Trail landmarks
Map of the Standing Stone Trail, Cowans Gap State Park (south terminus) to Three Springs, PA (trail town)
5 of 5 places in this section
This device cannot draw the interactive map.
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
How to get a Standing Stone Trail permit
As of September 2026, Standing Stone Trail in Rothrock State Forest (PA), Pennsylvania requires a permit issued via walk-up. Standing Stone Trail rates 3/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Standing Stone Trail route covers 84.2 miles.
- Type
- Backpacking
- Location
- South-central Pennsylvania ridgetops, Rothrock State Forest, PA
How this permit is issued
Official permit page →Step 1: How this permit is issued
Rothrock State Forest, which most of the Standing Stone Trail crosses, requires no permit for a normal one-night backpack stay, 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 Standing Stone Trail: Live availability activityStanding Stone Trail permit itinerary
How much a Standing Stone Trail permit costs
Standing Stone Trail permit fee: Free.
The Standing Stone Trail hike
- Distance
- 84.2 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- typically 6-8 days
- High Point
- 2,380 ft
An 84-mile trail through Rothrock State Forest, from Cowans Gap State Park to Detweiler Run.
About this permit
The Standing Stone Trail runs 84 miles through Rothrock State Forest, from Cowans Gap State Park to Detweiler Run Natural Area, passing three trail towns, Three Springs, Mapleton, and Mount Union, along the way. It is free and walk-up with no permit.
The feeling
The trail climbs Jacks Mountain and Stone Mountain, crosses the historic stone staircase at Thousand Steps, and passes the Greenwood fire tower at its high point before reaching Greenwood Furnace State Park.
How hard the Standing Stone 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 Standing Stone Trail
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
☁️
64°
56°
Wed
☁️
68°
53°
Thu
☁️
75°
59°
Fri
🌧️
78°
53°
56%
Sat
☁️
62°
43°
Sun
☁️
63°
40°
33%
Mon
☁️
57°
37°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Standing Stone Trail photography guide
Classic Shots
- Thousand Steps historic quarry stairway
- Greenwood Furnace State Park
Standing Stone Trail rules, gear and safety
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Standing Stone Trail.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Standing Stone Trail · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Standing Stone Trail FAQ
Do you need a permit to backpack the Standing Stone Trail?
No permit is needed for a normal one-night backpack stay. Rothrock State Forest, which most of the trail crosses, only requires a free permit for a second consecutive night at the same site, a spring-season campfire, or registering an emergency contact.
How long is the Standing Stone Trail?
The trail's own club says it was originally 68 miles and grew to over 80 miles with the 2014 addition of the Greenwood Spur; Wikipedia-independent sources put the current total at 84.2 miles.
Where does the Standing Stone Trail connect to other trails?
It connects the Tuscarora Trail at Cowans Gap State Park in the south to the Mid State Trail just north of Alan Seeger Natural Area in the north.
What is the highest point on the Standing Stone Trail?
The trail's own club lists the Greenwood fire tower at 2,380 feet as the trail's elevation high point.
What are the must-see landmarks on the Standing Stone Trail?
The Thousand Steps historic quarry staircase and Jacks Narrows, which the trail club describes as the deepest water gap in Pennsylvania, are two of the route's best-known features.
How is the Standing Stone Trail marked?
Orange blazes mark the main route, and yellow blazes mark side trails, per the Standing Stone Trail Club's own trail guide.
Standing Stone Trail trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a Standing Stone Trail permit
Where to stay near Standing Stone Trail
- Seven Points Picnic SheltersRaystown Lake
- Susquehannock campgroundRaystown Lake
- Seven Points (Pa) campgroundRaystown Lake
- All Pennsylvania campgrounds
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