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HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Game Commission will again be hosting several wildlife habitat driving tours on state game lands for the public to enjoy from the comfort of their own vehicles this fall.
"These driving tours provide an overview of what's available on our state game lands, while showcasing how the agency's habitat work benefits various species of wildlife," said Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith. "For hunters, these tours highlight potential opportunities for the upcoming seasons, and for non-hunters, the beautiful Pennsylvania fall landscapes are second to none."
All tours are free of charge, will be held rain or shine, and are only open to vehicles licensed for travel on public roads.
2026 Game Commission's driving tours:
Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026
State Game Lands 26, in Bedford County, from noon to 3 p.m. This is a 12,000-acre tract situated in Blue Knob, PA. The tour begins off Route 869 near the Bedford/Cambria County line and covers approximately 7 miles. Participants will find ample opportunity to enjoy the historical aspects, quality habitat improvements conducted by Pennsylvania Game Commission habitat crews in partnership with cooperating organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation. Work by the Commission's forestry staff will also be showcased through with the viewing of vast timber production brought forth through timber sales and timber stand improvements. *A narrated audio experience through the STQRY Guide app is available for this tour. Those interested in listening should download the app before arriving, as there is limited cellular service at the tour site. Users must allow the app to use your phone's location services for the purpose of the tour.
State Game Lands 110, in Berks County, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This tour begins at the Mountain Road gate approximately 5 miles west of Hamburg Borough and ends at the state Route 183 gate, 4 miles north of Strausstown. State Game Lands 110 offers over 10,000 acres of wildlife habitat in Berks and Schuylkill counties. In addition to hunting opportunities, the historic Appalachian Trail runs through the game lands paralleling much of the driving tour. This forested ridge is an important corridor along the Kittatinny Ridge that tens of thousands of hawks use every fall to migrate south along their migration route. Game Commission personnel will be stationed along the tour route to provide site-specific information and answer questions.
Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
State Game Lands 311, in Elk County, from 2-6 p.m. This roughly 3.5-mile self-guided driving tour provides a peek behind the curtain on the elk range. The tour will start at the Winslow Hill Viewing Area in Benezette, then enter the game lands at the bottom of Dewey Road, continuing to Porcupine Road. Game Commission staff will be posted along the tour route. Among other highlights, the tour will showcase elk habitat management including the planting and maintenance of forage plots and the use of prescribed fire, early successional and aspen forest management, acid mine drainage treatment, grassland bird and American kestrel management, and recent infrastructure improvements including two different styles of Game Commission bridges. As a reminder, the tour is open only to PennDOT-registered vehicles. ATVs/UTVs are not permitted.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026
State Game Lands 67, in Huntingdon County, from noon to 3 p.m. This is a 5,700-acre tract that begins in Saxton, on Burma Road off Little Valley Road (40.24886, -78.19808). It covers approximately 7 miles and ends on Route 913, between Coalmont and Dudley. Participants will find ample opportunity to enjoy the historical sites, quality habitat improvements conducted by Game Commission habitat crews in partnership with cooperating organizations such as the Huntingdon County Conservation District and the Shoup's Run Watershed Association, as well as controlled-burn and quality forest management areas. *A narrated audio experience through the STQRY Guide app is available for this tour. Those interested in listening should download the app before arriving, as there is limited cellular service at the tour site. Users must allow the app to use your phone's location services for the purpose of the tour.
State Game Lands 211, in Dauphin County, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Known as the Stoney Valley Tour, this tour begins at the Ellendale Forge gate, located 6 miles east of Dauphin Borough, along Stoney Valley Road, and ends at the Gold Mine gate. This more than 44,000-acre state game lands bridges three different counties including Dauphin, Lebanon and Schuylkill. The tract has an abandoned railroad bed that traverses the entire game lands from west to east. The Appalachian and Horse-Shoe Trails run through this game lands, providing excellent opportunities for hiking and other recreational opportunities in addition to hunting. Game Commission personnel will be stationed along the tour route to provide site-specific information and answer questions.