PA Service Plazas - Sideling Hill Trailhead

Grand Opening of Trailhead at Sideling Hill

Date: Sept. 20, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon hike!

2:00 p.m. | ~6 miles | Difficulty: Moderate

Meet at our new trailhead to explore the beauty of Buchanan State Forest with Keystone Trails Association hike leader Tony Barr. Note: this moderate hike begins and ends with a 1.5-mile roadwalk before connecting to the trail system. Registration is required - details and final instructions will be emailed to you prior to the event.

Register Here

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Trailhead at Sideling Hill Service Plaza

Coming Fall 2025!

Soon, you’ll be able to turn a trip on the Turnpike into an outdoor adventure. Our trailhead will offer access to 600+ miles of recreational trails, a picnic area, a bike wash station, as well as the following:

Expanded parking areas.
Pavilion with seating
Wayfinding signage
Bike racks
Secure, well-lit walkway

Local Trail Maps

Please note, 1.5 miles of 2-lane active roadway that separates the TOPP trail from the Sideling Hill Trailhead. Of the 1.5 miles, approximately 0.6 miles will be on the Sidehill Hill Plaza access road with “shared use” signage and roadway markings. Approximately 0.4 miles will be on North Hess Road, which is a PennDOT road and part of PA Bike Route S. Approximately 0.5 miles will be on Pump Station Road, which is a Township road with no “shared use” signs or roadway markings.

Buchanan State Forest:

View maps here

While the following maps are not specific to biking, they can be used to zoom in to see trails vs. gravel roads.

Sideling Hill Map for ATVs

View the link below to see a list of rules and regulations before planning an ATV excursion in the Sideling Hill area.

ATV Map, Rules & Regulations

Sideling Hill Campsites

Sideling Hill offers plenty of camping opportunities in the area. Be sure to view the link below for a detailed map of what is available.

Camping Map

Sideling Hill Snowmobile

View the link below to see a list of rules and regulations before planning a snowmobile excursion in the Sideling Hill area.

Snowmobile Map, Rules & Regulations

Notice:

TOPP Trail is under development, has no amenities, and only limited cell service. If you use the TOPP Trail, you accept all risks associated with its current condition.

TOPP Trail:

Is only available for use between dawn and dusk (absolutely no night time use)
Is restricted to pedestrian, electric bicycle and mobility device users.
Presents the usual risks and hazards to users associated with outdoor recreation.
Has special hazards particularly in and around two abandoned tunnels.

Users must:

Stay on former travel lanes when in or around the tunnels;
Use lighting to safely navigate through tunnels;
Not disturb threaten/endangered bat habitat in and near tunnels.

Bedford Fulton Joint Regional Authority

Learn more about the Sideling Hill Trailhead

Amenities such as restrooms, meals, and drinks are all located within a short walking distance to the Trailhead, making your trip comfortable and accessible to all. Enjoy the freedom of exploring the outdoors while not having to worry about the best place to rest and refuel afterwards.

Parking at the Trailhead has been expanded to provide more room and amenities for outdoor enthusiasts looking for new and exciting outdoor pursuits. Visiting this part of the Commonwealth helps support local municipalities and increases awareness of the vast outdoor pursuits available in this region.

Rendering of the walkway from the service plaza to the trailhead

The Sideling Hill Trailhead not only provides services and amenities to Turnpike customers, but also other guests traveling to the trailhead from an off-Pike location. The walking path that connects the trailhead to the Service Plaza allows seamless use of the Trailhead amenities by all visitors.

This location provides access to over 600 miles of recreational trails within a 25-mile radius including the TOPP Trail, Buchanan State Forest, Bicycle PA Route S, and Raystown Lake. Explore PA with easy access to trails and sights along the Turnpike with added comfort and style found at the Sideling Hill Service Plaza.

Sideling Hill Trailhead