Belle Draft Road

Trail Overview

Belle Draft Road is an easy gravel trail in Elk State Forest. Equestrian camps, two of them, and horseback trails are a major attraction on this trail, so be on the lookout for horses and vehicles pulling horse trailers. Otherwise, it's a normal forest road, through a peaceful and remote part of the forest. There is a roadside spring near the Gaswell Equestrian Campgrounds. There is no sign indicating whether it is potable or not, so this may be for watering horses. There are a handful of pullouts that would be good for parking if hiking or for use to picnic. There is a lot of wildlife here as well. Be on the lookout for elk, deer, and other animals. Note that the equestrian campgrounds require reservations on Reserve America, like other camping in Pennsylvania. These are exclusively for equestrian use, though, and those looking for dispersed motorized sites or standard campgrounds should look elsewhere in the forest.

Photos of Belle Draft Road

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Difficulty

This is a standard Pennsylvania Forest Service road, composed primarily of well-maintained gravel with no notable obstacles.

History

Interesting folklore connects Belle Draft to the gold legend: in the late 1800s or early 1900s, surveyors reportedly found seven skeletons in the hollow of Bell Draft near Hicks Run, reviving speculation about missing Union soldiers and lost gold.

Technical Rating

Belle Draft Road can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV