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Distance:
5.5 Miles / 8.9 km
Type:
Loop
Difficulty:
Moderate
Time to Hike:
2 hours, ~45 minutes
Features:
Surface Type:
Dirt
Park:
Michaux State Forest
Town:
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Directions:
39.97798, -77.441621
Added:
September 18, 2017
Updated:
November 27, 2017

The Rocky Knob Trail at Michaux State Forest in Pennsylvania is a moderate 5.5 mile loop hike that has some amazing views of Pennsylvania's Appalachian mountains while being tucked away in the secluded Michaux forest. The trail's traffic is very light even though it's one of the popular trails at Michaux.

The trail has two trailheads, but it only has parking at the northern trailhead, so it's easiest to start there and hike down. Follow the orange blazes and you'll find your way easily. The trail splits off into two directions while heading south. If you take a right-hand turn at the loop, you'll hike downhill along a creek before reaching the southern spur of the Rocky Knob Trail; however, the creek is not visible from the trail and is not easy to hear it either. If you camp along the west side of the loop you can use the creek as a water source to refill and filter.

If you take a left at the loop (going east), there is no water source, but there are plenty of campsites and views along Seir Hill.

Sights: this trail has some of the best views of Michaux and the Long Pine Run Reservoir below. All of the lookout points are on the east side of the loop. You'll find numbered posts that represent a point of interest as well. At post #8 you'll see a large boulder field with an outcropping at the top with a view - this is actually Rocky Knob hill. You can climb the boulders to get up to the lookout point - note the random small spur trail off of the eastern side in the GPS data, this is Rocky Knob. At post #5 you'll find an amazing view of the reservoir and Rocky Knob to the south while standing on Seir Hill. At post #6 (or post #7, don't recall), you'll find an Allegheny Mound Ant hill - ants that are known to build mounds 3 - 4 feet tall and are only found in Pennsylvania's Appalachian regions.

Southern terminus: The southern terminus of the trail leads on to Birch Run Rd and across the street is the Beaver Trail that runs along the Long Pine Run Reservoir. If you're hiking in from the Beaver Trail or from Birch Run Rd, the trail may be hard to spot. To find it easily, walk along the guard rail along the road until you see a trail heading into the woods, just before the creek passes under the road - this is the Rocky Knob Trail.

Explore 8 trails near Shippensburg, PA
  1. Parking

    39.97798, -77.441621
  2. Main Trailhead

    39.977998, -77.441236
  3. Campsite

    39.959958, -77.446456
    Campsite
  4. Bushcraft shelter

    39.955414, -77.445275
    Bushcraft shelter
  5. View from Rocky Knob

    39.958605, -77.440926
    View from Rocky Knob
  6. View from Rocky Knob

    39.958733, -77.440681
    View from Rocky Knob
  7. View of Rocky Knob and Pine Run Reservoir

    39.965564, -77.435844
    View of Rocky Knob and Pine Run Reservoir
Explore other trail routes for this hike, added by the MyHikes Community via Trip Reports.

Hazards

Ticks - Lyme Disease More Info (CDC)

Seasons

All

Blaze Color

Orange
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620 '

Total Change
861 '

Ascent
864 '

Descent

Photo Albums

3 Trip Reports

No Star-Ratings
Write-up by:
Admin user profile picture
5.5 miles / 8.9 km
Trail added
September 18, 2017
Hiked on
September 15, 2017
Updated on
November 27, 2017
8.9 miles / 14.3 km
June 04, 2023
Beautiful, peaceful area - started going east around Long Pine reservoir, then hiked up CCW around Rocky Knob, and then back down/around the west side of water along Beaver trail (8.66mi total). Wonderful views the entire way around the reservoir with mostly pine forest - flat/easy! Mountain Laurel in full bloom & all around Rocky Knob Trail which is so lush, making things very enjoyable! View at the top is nice - just wish there were more views like it! Going CCW allows uphill for the steep part, then down the gradual side.
Hiking
5.5 miles / 8.9 km
August 25, 2018
Justin and I hiked on a beautiful evening. So many wild mushrooms. Took lots of pictures. Would to camp there.
Hiking

Weather Forecast

In Shippensburg, PA

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