Pennsylvania · Hiking

Little Drummer Upper Loop

3.4 mi
loop
35 ft
climb
1,661 ft
high point
Loop
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Little Drummer Upper Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Allegheny National Forest. It doesn't name Little Drummer Upper Loop, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Allegheny National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Little Drummer Upper Loop is a 3.4-mile loop in Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest, within the Marienville Ranger District. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and rated moderate. It is a natural-surface route with a low of about 1,614 feet and a high of about 1,661 feet, so it is a short walk for anyone already exploring the area. The climb is gentle, with a total elevation gain of about 35 feet. The steepest stretch comes early in the loop, at about 8%, though the overall rise is minimal. Bikes are allowed, and the trail is not accessible. Horses are not permitted. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ridgway, at a lower elevation, show July highs around 81°F and September highs near 74°F, with snow common from December through March. Other trails sit close by, including the Little Drummer Historical Path about 0.6 miles away and Lily Pond about 2.4 miles out. For an overnight stay, Red Mill Campground is about 6.3 miles away, and Clarion River Campsites is about 8.3 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Little Drummer Upper Loop

    Best months: July–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      34° / 16°

      17 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      37° / 16°

      14 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      45° / 23°

      14 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      59° / 33°

      14 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      70° / 43°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 52°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 57°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 55°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 49°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 38°

      14 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 30°

      14 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      38° / 23°

      17 wet · 6 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ridgway, PA, 6.1 mi away at 1,360 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.