Most people don’t know that the best views of the famous Pennsylvania Grand Canyon are on the other side! Learn how to get to Barbour Rock and Colton Point.
The Pine Creek Gorge is a natural wonder in northcentral Pennsylvania, stretching over 60 miles through Tioga, Lycoming, and Clinton Counties. It is marketed as the “Pennsylvania Grand Canyon” and draws visitors from far and wide to the majestic views at the famous Leonard Harrison State Park. But what most people don’t know is that the best views are actually the other side at Barbour Rock and Colton Point!
Barbour Rock and Colton Point are on the more rugged and less visited western rim of the Pine Creek Gorge. You can get there by turning south onto Colton Rd. from Route 6 at Ansonia. The windy gravel road ascends the slope of the gorge, and after about 3 miles you will encounter the large parking lot and picnic area at the Barbour Rock trailhead (41.72360, -77.45618). The Barbour Rock Trail is an easy one mile loop. There is also a handicap -accessible trail to the overlook that is 0.7 miles each way.
The views from Barbour Rock are spectacular, perhaps the best views of the Pine Creek Gorge. There is a viewing platform with just OK views. The absolute best views are from several rock ledges off of the trail. They’re not for everyone, since they are literally rocks jutting out over the empty space of the gorge. Just be careful, know your limitations and watch the kids.
Back at the trailhead there is a well-kept pavilion in honor of SFC Tony L. Knier and a memorial to several others who made the ultimate sacrifice.
While you’re on the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge, hop back in the vehicle and travel another 1.3 miles on Colton Rd. to Colton Point. There is a large parking lot and roadside viewing platform at 41.70823, -77.46521, looking straight through this stretch of the gorge. although second to the vistas at Barbour Rock, you can drive right to Colton Point.
Colton Point State Park has rustic campsites, Lord willing, the subject of a future campground review. There are several vistas from the Rim Trail. In the view shown below, the Path Trail follows the ravine and if your eyes follow the ridge up and to the right, in the shadow of the clouds you can make out the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon viewing platform. However, the other views on the Rim Trail at Colton Point State Park are nothing to write home about. For the intrepid adventurer, you can take the west side of the Turkey Path Trail all the way to The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon at Leonard Harrison State Park and check out the views from there.
Both the Barbour Rock Trails and Colton Point’s Rim Trail are very easy. You can even drive up to most of the overlooks at Colton Point.
The parking lot to the Barbour Rock trailhead is at 41.72360, -77.45618.
The Colton Point viewing platform is at 41.70823, -77.46521.
Although Leonard Harrison State Park has a great visitor center and gets the press as the “Pennsylvania Grand Canyon” tourist destination, the best views are actually on the other side of the gorge at Barbour Rock, followed by Colton Point. So, which should you visit? Both!
Here’s the lowdown: Although the views are amazing, most visitors are going to spend less than half an hour at each, so on their own it wouldn’t be worth a long drive. The best way to visit is to make a day or it, or even better a weekend and do the views, trails, and numerous other nearby outdoor adventures together. That’s what we did. You can camp at the more modern Leonard Harrison State Park on the east rim or the more Rustic Colton Point State Park on the west and go wild exploring. Here’s just a sampling of what is waiting for you:
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
