Motorized camping is defined as overnight camping in or near the vehicle where the vehicle continues to be used for storage or transportation.

Group camping is defined as more than 10 people in a unit, overnight motorized or primitive camping.

Permits are required for all camping on state forestlands. Camping permit applications are available on the DCNR's Web site or at district offices. There is no fee for the permits.

When planning and starting your camping trip, you must check with the local forest district office to determine where to camp or if designated dispersed campsites are available. If more than 10 people are in your group, a letter of authorization is required, in addition to a camping permit, from the district forester 30 days before the camping date.

Our state forests have a system of trails designated for use by all-terrain vehicles. However, illegal use of ATVs is one of the biggest problems on public lands. These trails are open only from the Friday before Memorial Day through the last full weekend in September. Elsewhere on state forest lands ATVs may not be driven. State forest roads are not open to ATVs, but persons with disabilities are allowed to operate ATVs in designated areas of state forestland with an approved letter of authorization from DCNR. Most of these areas are open year 'round. If a person desires to hunt from his or her ATV, a permit to hunt from a vehicle as well as a valid hunting license from the Pennsylvania Game Commission is required.

Effective July 1, 2005, Pennsylvania's forest districts were realigned. The changes could result in three forest district offices being relocated over the next couple of years, including the Tiadaghton District office in South Williamsport, the Wyoming District office in Bloomsburg and the Lackawanna District office in Scranton. The districts most affected by the realignment are in the eastern areas of the Commonwealth. There are 20 forest districts.

A wealth of information is available through the DCNR's Web site at www.dcnr.state.pa.us. To begin, click on State Forests in the left column on the opening page. Hunters may also visit or call the regional offices, or write to the Bureau of Forestry, 6th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 8552, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8552.

Statewide travel information is available from the Pennsylvania Office of Tourism, Room 404, Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120; or call (717) 232-8880 or (800) VISIT-PA.