The Bald Eagle State Forest hosts all the major game species typically found in Pennsylvania, including deer, bear, wild turkey and other small game.

There are thirteen streams within the Bald Eagle District totaling 47 miles that are stocked and fishable. Particularly noteworthy are Penns Creek and Fishing Creek. Along the Mifflin County section of Penns Creek the Pennsylvania Fish Commission has established a "catch and release" stretch of stream where year-round trout fishing is permitted. Near Fishing Creek and the village of Lamar in Clinton County the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service maintains a fish hatchery for stocking the surrounding area.

Driving and walking for pleasure is a major outdoor recreational use of the forest. The District has 340 miles of drivable roads and about the same number of miles of trails. There are five designated scenic drives.

The Mid-State Trail traverses the District running northeast from the Route 322 roadside rest at the Centre-Mifflin county line, through R. B. Winter State Park to the village of McElhattan, southeast of Lock Haven in Clinton County.

There are 27 vistas within the Bald Eagle State Forest. They offer the forest user many and varied views of both the State owned and private land within and surrounding the District.