The sparks of passing steam locomotives ignited wildfires that prevented the formation of second growth forests.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a piece of legislation in 1897 that authorized the purchase of "unseated lands for forest reservations."

He led the effort in central Pennsylvania to acquire land that had once belonged to the Greenwood Iron Works.

[2] The lands acquired in the early 20th century were divided into three separate state forest reserves.

[2] Much of the land that is now Rothrock State Forest was cleared of dried underbrush during the Great Depression by the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

By the 1950s the second growth forests of oak and hickory had grown to a size that the wood was ready to be harvested for lumber.

On May 1, 2006, a wildfire from a downed power line burned more than 420 acres (170 hectacres) largely within Rothrock State Forest.

[3][4][5] The Tussey Mountain Trail transects the burned area, showcasing springtime wildflowers and grasses among the charred trees.

Rothrock State forest is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

It is one of the premier mountain bike destinations in the state, as evidenced by the world class race events held here annually.

Free print maps are available from the DCNR Rothrock State Forest webpage or Nittany Mountain Bike Association’s site.

Street legal motorcycles are allowed to ride the public roads in Rothrock, and this is a popular destination for motorcyclists.