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| Home > Pennsylvania > Bloody Skillet |
Bloody Skillet ATV Trail
Thursday, May 22, 2025
| Other Names | Rock Run Creek, Sproul State Forest, West Branch Creek, Bear Creek Forest, Centre County, Beech Creek, Big Run Creek, Middletown Road, Kato Road, Orviston Road, Bloody Skillet Road |
| Last Known Status | Open |
ATV enthusiasts will find miles of old coal-mining roads that wind through deep forest vegetation. Trails are mostly hard packed with some neat bridge crossings and a few shallow creek crossings. Deer, black bear and wild turkey are among the wildlife that may be encountered when riding here.
This trail is open for the summer season beginning the Friday before Memorial Day through the last weekend of September, then re-opens for winter riding after the flintlock/muzzleloader hunting season ends (generally around mid January) through April 1.
The name "Bloody Skillet" is thought to have originated from a local farm in the area that used to serve as a slaughterhouse during a period when the forest was being mined for coal.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | No | ATVs must be registered and have proof of liability insurance. |
| Dates Open | Friday before Memorial Day through last weekend of September; re-opens mid January through April 1 | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Yes | (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, RI, UT, VT, WA, WI) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (99 dB) | |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (64 inches) | has entrance gate or posts vehicles under 1800lbs dry weight and 64 inches wide permitted |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Prohibited | |
 ATVs | Permitted | |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | (maximum width 64 inches) |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
 Camping | Some Areas | permitted at the brickyard and middle parking areas |
 Campfires | ||
| Night Riding | Unknown | |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | riders must stay on trail |
| Rule Enforcement |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 4,480 acres (7 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 39 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 900 to 1500 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Little | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand |  None | |
| Mud |  Some | |
| Dust | Some | |
| Rocks | Little | |
| Trees |  All | |
| Steep Hills |  Few | |
| Water Crossings | Few | |
| Small Jumps | None | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Berms | None | |
| Single Track | None | |
| Roads | Mostly | |
| Intersections | Some | |
| Rider Traffic | Some | |
| Shade | All | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Mostly | |
 Amateur | Some | |
 Expert | Little |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | State Forest |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Uni-Mart (570) 962-2331 |
| Diesel | 20-30 Miles (SE) | Flying J Travel Plaza (570) 726-4080 |
 Water | 20-30 Miles (S) | Bellefonte/State College KOA (814) 355-7912 or (800) 562-8127 |
 RV Hookup | 20-30 Miles (S) | Bellefonte/State College KOA (814) 355-7912 or (800) 562-8127 |
 RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Russel P. Letterman Campground (814) 625-2775 |
| Campground | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Bald Eagle State Forest Primitive Campground (814) 625-2775 |
 Conv Store | 20-30 Miles (E) | Walmart Supercenter (570) 748-5430 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
| Comment | A permit is required to camp - contact the Sproul State Forest at (570) 923-6011. |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Orviston, PA | ||
| Address | De Haas Road, Orviston, PA 16864 | ||
| From: Snow Shoe, PA
1) Take Hwy 144 North about 16 miles 2) Turn right (east) on De Haas Road, continue continue 5.3 miles 3) Staging area is on the right (south). |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Sproul State Forest 15187 Renovo Road Renovo, PA 17764 (570) 923-6011 fd10@pa.gov www.dcnr.pa.gov |
| Contact Info | Pennsylvania ATV Registration / Insurance Info P.O. Box 8553 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8553 (717) 783-9227 ra-snowatv@pa.gov www.dcnr.pa.gov |
| Contact Info | Pennsylvania Game Commission 2001 Elmerton Ave. Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797 (717) 787-4250 pgccomments@pa.gov www.pgc.pa.gov |
| Comment | Pennsylvania hunting season dates. |
Bloody Skillet Trail Photo
One of the bridge crossings at Bloody Skillet.
Bloody Skillet Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 1/9/2012 (Thanks!)
Bloody Skillet Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 1/9/2012 (Thanks!)
Bloody Skillet Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 1/28/2012 (Thank You!)
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS