HomePennsylvaniaShippensburg › Michaux State Forest

Michaux State Forest

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,117 Google reviews · Running trail in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Michaux State Forest's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceScenicTrailhead parking

Woodlands area with multi-use trails, picnic pavilions, primitive campsites & a 9-hole golf course.

What runners say about Michaux State Forest

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,117 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 12 mentions

“Gorgeous Pennsylvania Pine Grove Furnace State Park along the Appalachian Trail.”

Beautiful area. It's has nice camp spots along some trails, the campsites are big and look to be maintained good. The woods itself are lush and full of life. There's a reservoir with a runoff waterfall into a little valley, that's definitely worth checking out while your there.

★★★★★ — Beck , May 2019

Awesome area for ATV riding. Many miles of trails to ride on. All of the riders we encountered were friendly.

★★★★★ — Stephanie , Sep 2021

Beautiful State Forest just west of Mt. Holly Springs, Pa. Winding paved and unpaved roads for even the pedestrian SUV. Lakes and a dam for fishing, picnic areas and hiking trails. Not far from Laurel and Fuller Lakes. Nice restaurants not far away near Chambersburg, Pa. Pack it in, pack it out. Thanks.

★★★★☆ — Larry , Aug 2023

Michaux State Forest has beautiful trees, plants, flowers and wildlife! Lots of hiking trails.

★★★★★ — Tammie , Oct 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,117 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 16 mentions

“Gorgeous Pennsylvania Pine Grove Furnace State Park along the Appalachian Trail.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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Plan your run at Michaux State Forest

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitedcnr.state.pa.us
  • Phone(717) 352-2211
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7:30 AM–3:30 PM
Tuesday 7:30 AM–3:30 PM
Wednesday 7:30 AM–3:30 PM
Thursday 7:30 AM–3:30 PM
Friday 7:30 AM–3:30 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Michaux State Forest

255 Forest Rd, Shippensburg, PA 17257

Get directions

Running trails near Shippensburg

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Abigail Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 45 reviews

Fayetteville, PA

5.8 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

1.8 miles away

Beaver Trail Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 39 reviews

Fayetteville, PA

MixedScenic

Kid-friendly hiking area with a trail around a lake offering water views.

2.4 miles away

Hosack Trail

5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Fayetteville, PA

3.3 miles away

Locust Gap Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 21 reviews

Fayetteville, PA

LoopDog-friendly

3.9 miles away

Michaux State Forest

4.8 ★★★★★ 222 reviews

Fayetteville, PA

Scenic

Park with trails for biking and 4-wheeling, also featuring lakes, forests and camping.

4.1 miles away

Caledonia State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,449 reviews

Fayetteville, PA

ScenicDog-friendly

A 1,125-acre park nestled within South Mountain for hiking, fishing, hunting, picnicking & camping.

4.3 miles away

All running trails in Shippensburg, PA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.