Algerine Wild Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
The Algerine Wild Area is located in Pennsylvania's Loyalsock State Forest and offers visitors a beautiful and secluded wilderness experience.
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Summary
The area encompasses over 3,000 acres and is home to a diverse range of wildlife including black bears, bobcats, and bald eagles.
One of the main draws to the Algerine Wild Area is the hiking opportunities. There are numerous trails that wind through the forest, including the Old Loggers Path which is a 27-mile loop trail. Hikers can also see unique geological formations such as the Twin Sisters, a pair of large rocks that appear to be guarding the entrance to a cave.
Other points of interest in the Algerine Wild Area include the impressive waterfalls of Ketchum Run and Rock Run, as well as the scenic vistas from the top of Smith Knob and Peterson Lake. The area is also popular with hunters and fishermen, with ample opportunities for both.
Interesting facts about the Algerine Wild Area include its history as a logging site in the late 1800s, and the fact that it was designated a Wild Area by the state of Pennsylvania in 1985 to preserve its natural beauty.
The best time of year to visit the Algerine Wild Area is in the fall when the leaves are changing colors, or in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom. However, visitors should be prepared for the possibility of encountering ticks and other pests during the warmer months.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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