Trails

This world-renowned 65+ mile Pine Creek Rail Trail is a multi-use trail that can be used for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Most of the trail is located along the bottom of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. With a 2% grade, this trail connects visitors to scenic stretches of the gorge, ideal for walking, biking, and long-distance exploration.

Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 18 h 40 min to complete. The best times to visit this trail are March through November.

Trails along both sides of the canyon provide access to iconic viewpoints overlooking Pine Creek far below.

These routes are especially popular for short hikes and photography, offering elevated perspectives of the gorge, seasonal foliage, and wildlife throughout the year.

On opposite sides of the canyon, Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park serve as the main gateways to the canyon’s trail system.

Each park features well-marked hiking trails that lead to overlooks, forested paths, and access points that highlight the natural beauty of the gorge from different vantage points.

The Overlook Trail at Leonard Harrison offers scenic views of the Pine Creek Gorge (aka the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon) as well as historic structures from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era.

This is a walking/hiking loop trail (0.6 miles) with an overlook to view the Pine Creek Gorge. It is for more experienced hikers. Trail head amenities include modern restrooms.

The Barbour Rock Trail is a wide, smooth trail through a very beautiful forest of mature oaks, maples and other hardwood trees. After a pleasant half mile, the forest abruptly meets the sky as it falls away into the Pine Creek Gorge (aka the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon).

It’s an out and back trail especially designed for the handicapped, but hikers can return on an alternate footpath thus completing a one-mile loop.

Listen for the roar of Owassee Rapids, Pine Creek’s most challenging whitewater. This is one of the easiest trails in the Tioga State Forest and is suitable for all skill levels. The path is flat, crushed stone, and handicapped accessible, suitable for wheelchairs with pneumatic tires. The Barbour Rock Trail intersects with the West Rim Trail and Bear Run Trail for a hike just under 3 miles in length.

Each season brings a new perspective to canyon hiking.

Spring highlights flowing water and fresh greenery, summer offers shaded forest walks, fall transforms the gorge into vibrant color, and winter provides quiet, snow-covered landscapes for a more serene experience.