Ridge Road in Cameron County, PA is a hidden gem where you can tour six spectacular wilderness views of Elk State Forest from the comfort of your vehicle.
We heard about the Ridge Road tour from a long-time regular camper at Sinnemahoning State Park who recommended it as one of the area’s must-see excursions. Ridge Road parallels the rugged Bucktail Path through Elk State Forest, affording six mountain-top roadside views of the Pennsylvania Wilds in the space of approximately four miles. We began our tour pulling off of Rt. 872 onto Brooks Run Road (41.42065, -78.03116) across from the George B. Stevenson Reservoir boat launch area. Make your way up the mountain on the scenic Brooks Run Road for 5.1 miles then turn right onto Ridge Road at 41.41953, -78.11218. The first scenic view, Square Timber Vista is 0.7 miles down Ridge Road at 41.42760, -78.11526.
Square Timber Vista has a small pull-off and a grassy area with several benches and an interpretative sign. The vista overlooks the Square Timber Run hollow and the surrounding mountains to the northwest. It is called “Square Timber” because lumberjacks squared the logs before floating them down the Driftwood Branch of the Sinnemahoning Creek.
The second vista, about half a mile farther on Ridge Road at 41.43244, -78.11341, is a narrower view of the mountains around Square Timber Run. We’ll call this “Square Timber Window.” It is a bit underwhelming in comparison to Square Timber Vista.
The third scenic view is Norcross Vista at 41.45141, -78.11189, approximately 1.7 miles from Square Timber Window. Norcross Vista faces east, directly across from Sinnemahoning State Park. The campground is tucked in the narrow valley between the two mountains running perpendicular to the view.
The next Ridge Road scenic view is Whitehead Vista at 41.46175, -78.11279, approximately 0.8 miles from Norcross Vista. Of the six overlooks, Whitehead Vista gives the longest distance view, facing the Allegheny Plateau on the horizon to the northwest.
The next scenic view, Logue Run Vista faces back east toward Sinnemahoning State Park. It overlooks the picturesque Logue Run Hollow where the stream flows to the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning Creek just north of the campground. The overlook is at 41.46897, -78.11292, approximately 0.6 miles beyond Whitehead Vista. With Square Timber Vista, Logue Run Vista gives one of the widest views of the Ridge Road overlooks. However, during our visit, we shared the vista with hordes of gnats. You can see them photobombing our recording in the video at the end of the post.
The final Ridge Road scenic view is the Upper Logue Run Vista at 41.47606, -78.10756, about 0.6 miles past Logue Run Vista. This is a view of Logue Run Hollow from a different perspective. In it’s own it’s a decent view; however, in comparison to Logue Run Vista just down the road, it’s not much to write home about.
After Upper Logue Run Vista, follow Ridge Road for 5.5 miles then turn right onto Bailey Run Road at 41.53769, -78.09886. After the remote woodland drive on Ridge Road, and we felt a return to civilization as camps then homes appeared on Bailey Run Road. Bailey Run Road rejoins Rt. 872 7.7 miles north of where we started when we first turned onto Brooks Run Road. The route is shown in purple on the map below. The vistas are:
- Suaretimber Vista (41.42760, -78.11526)
- Square Timber Window (41.43244, -78.11341)
- Norcross Viata (41.45141, -78.11189)
- Whitehead Vista (41.46175, -78.11279)
- Logue Run Vista (41.46897, -78.11292)
- Upper Logue Run Viata (41.47606, -78.10756)
The red “X” in the map below corresponds to a vista shown on the Elk State Forest Map, but was in fact not there during our visit.
The drive was on well-maintained gravel road, so you can easily make the trip in a car. However, as with most state forest roads, there is no winter maintenance. If you want to host a truly memorable remote get-together, The Whitehead Pavillion on Ridge Road is available on a first come basis. Ridge Road is the perfect and rare opportunity to experience remote mountain views of the Pennsylvania Wilds from the comfort of your vehicle.
Looking for a place to stay while you explore the Pennsylvania Wilds? Join us on our Sinnemahoning State Park Campground Review, where you will find all you need to know before you visit this remote campground.
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
