The Kittanning State Forest is comprised of 9,089 acres in northern Jefferson County, 3,165 acres in Venango County and 1,012 acres in southern Forest County.

The first parcel of land, 3,200 acres, was purchased by the state in 1919 for $6,880.00. Many additional tracts have been purchased since, the last being in 1980. In 1883, the first sawmills were built in the area, generally along streams, where white pine and hemlock were cut almost exclusively. Many of the timbers were then made into rafts and floated down the Clarion River to Pittsburgh. Records show that at least three logging railroads existed here after 1864, utilizing a wooden rail system.

The Kittanning State Forest is comprised of 9,089 acres in northern Jefferson County, 3,165 acres in Venango County and 1,012 acres in southern Forest County.

The first parcel of land, 3,200 acres, was purchased by the state in 1919 for $6,880.00. Many additional tracts have been purchased since, the last being in 1980. In 1883, the first sawmills were built in the area, generally along streams, where white pine and hemlock were cut almost exclusively. Many of the timbers were then made into rafts and floated down the Clarion River to Pittsburgh. Records show that at least three logging railroads existed here after 1864, utilizing a wooden rail system.

By 1905 nearly all the virgin forest had been cut from the present State Forest Land, and soon after, most of this area was burned over. The fire apparently started near the present Sigel Hotel and spread north and east, jumping the Clarion River near Heath Pump Station, and spreading nearly to Lolita before it was extinguished by rain. Charred scars on old stumps still show evidence of this fire.

Chestnut blight appeared around 1912 and six years later most of the American Chestnut was dead. In the early 1990's protective legislation for deer passed and the herds eventually became so large that over-browsing virtually eliminated the understory.

Today, these State Forest Lands are managed under the "Multiple Use Management" system, which involves the consideration of all uses and places the highest priority on the most important use for a given area. Within this framework, the Bureau of Forestry managed the Kittanning State Forest for recreation, timber, oil and gas production and wildlife.