Thunder Swamp Trail is a 35.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Forestburgh, New York that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
dog friendly
backpacking
birding
camping
cross country skiing
fishing
hiking
mountain biking
nature trips
snowshoeing
trail running
walking
forest
river
views
wild flowers
wildlife
bugs
muddy
rocky
The Thunder Swamp Trail system provides over 40 miles of marked trails to explore in Pennsylvania's Delaware State Forest. True to its name, the Thunder Swamp Trail traverses some of the wettest terrain north of the Bayou. This fact, combined with the extremely rocky soil, makes good, sturdy boots an appropriate choice of footwear. If you plan on making this trip in the summer, it is recommended you wear long pants, as mosquitoes, black flies, and deer ticks are abound. By early July, the blueberry bushes have already begun yielding abundant fruit. Although the scenery is nothing spectacular, the heavy deciduous woods and sparsely used trail created a feeling of peaceful solitude.
The map doesn't show the entire trail. It actually looks around after crossing 402 in the north and back to the parking lot in the south. Check the PA Delaware State Forest website for the full trail map.
It was really great for the first section. Plenty of camp sites. After that everything became easy and camping was a bit more of a hassle. All in all an OK trail, but be prepared to find your own site on the second portion
First section was great! However, after backtracking to the second section it gets really tough. Trail is not maintained at all, climbing over logs constantly with my 40 pound pack took a lot of extra energy. Also only passed 2 maybe 3 camp spots the whole second section. I wouldn't recommend this trail to anyone . Maybe for a day hike to the first section and back
This was a great trail. My first hiking/Camping trip. We didn't make it to the bottom loop but still found some great spots to set up camp. I will definitely return to finish this whole loop now that I have more experience.
loved the trail, had some great camp sites and very well blazed. ran in to a 8' rattle snake at the power lines next to the bridge in the logs, scared the crap out of me, but very beautiful. had some really nice views and some big inclines and decents on the back half of the hike. did the trail in 3 days, didnt get to see big bear swamp but def gonna hit the trail again.
This trail is NOT located in Forestburg, NY. A google search places it somewhere in PA..
This trail starts out extremely well marked and maintained. As you hike, the trail becomes less and less maintained and blazed to the point you may as well be bushwhacking. We went in early spring and probably picked off 20-30 ticks per person per day, so be prepared.
On the positive side, there was a lot of wildlife and some decent camping spots. I would definitely stop off at the lake off of painter swamp Rd. Great campsites and views. Didn't see a single other person during the hike except for a hunter less than 1 mile in. Great if you're looking for solitude and to get a little lost! Would be 5 stars if better maintained!
Nice loop. Excellent solitude. Pretty rock in spots. Excellent natural area to camp with permit.