About Michaux State Forest

Michaux State Forest encompasses more than 85,500 acres in the South Mountain area of:
 
Cumberland County
Franklin County
Adams County
Considered Pennsylvania’s “cradle of forestry,” Michaux is the site of the first forestry school, Mont Alto. The forest is named for the French botanist, Andre Michaux, who discovered and named many plants during the 18th century.
 
Most of the state forest lands of the Michaux district are located on the metavolcanic and quartzite rocks of South Mountain at the northern terminus of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.
 
DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry manages our state forests for their long-term health and productivity while conserving native wild plants. These forests are “working forests” and provide a whole suite of uses and values to Pennsylvania citizens, all while maintaining the forest’s wild character.
 
Our state forests are managed for:
Pure water
Recreation
Scenic beauty
Plant and animal habitat
Sustainable timber and natural gas
Many other uses and values