Little Flat Fire Tower
Hiking Trail
Easy
0.96 mi
163 ft
An easy hike on a gravel forest service road to one of Rothrock's four maintained fire towers.
Hiking to Little Flat Fire Tower is one of the best easy hikes in Rothrock. A half-mile walk on a gated forest service road leads to one of the 4 maintained fire towers in the area, and though the steel structure is now closed to the public, it played an important role in fire prevention into the 1950s. A dense stand of native red spruce and hemlock now cover the mountaintop, and the forest floor is blanketed with their fallen needles. Unique fungi and other flora can be found under the canopy and Pennsylvania's [Mid-State Trail]( crosses just south of the tower - opening up countless options for longer hikes.
To reach the trailhead, head to the Tussey Mountain Ski Area and continue up the gravel road into the forest. Keep right at the split, then Bear Meadows Rd turns into Laurel Run Rd. After the hairpin turn, look to your left for an upcoming gravel road listed as Little Flat Tower Rd. Where the road is gated, a small loop circles back and offers parking for several vehicles - though it rarely fills. A trailer or larger RV could make it up the road, but is not advised. Neither restrooms nor water are available, so plan ahead.
As an alternative to this easy hike, you could park at the bottom of Lonberger Path or at the Galbraith Lot, then follow Three Bridges Trail to Spruce Gap Trail. Though significantly steeper, this is a great option for anyone looking for a more challenging trek to see the historic tower.
[Source]( Written by Brendon Voelker
Hiking to Little Flat Fire Tower is one of the best easy hikes in Rothrock. A half-mile walk on a gated forest service road leads to one of the 4 maintained fire towers in the area, and though the steel structure is now closed to the public, it played an important role in fire prevention into the 1950s. A dense stand of native red spruce and hemlock now cover the mountaintop, and the forest floor is blanketed with their fallen needles. Unique fungi and other flora can be found under the canopy and Pennsylvania's [Mid-State Trail]( crosses just south of the tower - opening up countless options for longer hikes.
To reach the trailhead, head to the Tussey Mountain Ski Area and continue up the gravel road into the forest. Keep right at the split, then Bear Meadows Rd turns into Laurel Run Rd. After the hairpin turn, look to your left for an upcoming gravel road listed as Little Flat Tower Rd. Where the road is gated, a small loop circles back and offers parking for several vehicles - though it rarely fills. A trailer or larger RV could make it up the road, but is not advised. Neither restrooms nor water are available, so plan ahead.
As an alternative to this easy hike, you could park at the bottom of Lonberger Path or at the Galbraith Lot, then follow Three Bridges Trail to Spruce Gap Trail. Though significantly steeper, this is a great option for anyone looking for a more challenging trek to see the historic tower.
[Source]( Written by Brendon Voelker
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