Located just over an hour north of Williamsport, RV Campers travel for miles to soak in the views of Pennsylvania's "Grand Canyon" at Colton Point State Park. Known as the Pine Creek Gorge, visitors will be charmed by the 47-mile ravine that features stunning vistas of Pine Creek cutting through the forested Allegheny Mountains. If you're not deterred by a long hike, Pine Creek offers a scenic location for anglers itching to catch trout, bass, and panfish.
With such a wondrous landscape to explore, there is no shortage of nature and wildlife viewing opportunities. The valley of the gorge is crawling with foxes, raccoons, deer, snowshoe hares, and wild turkeys. If you want to get panoramic views of the canyon from above, you can stop at one of the many scenic overlooks along the easy Rim Trail. If you'd like to see the other side of the gorge, you can head to nearby Leonard Harrison State Park. Hunting common game like pheasants and rabbits is also popular within the park.
Nestled in between Susquehannock State Forest and Tioga State Forest, Colton Point State Park is a perfect base camp to explore the heart of northern Pennsylvania. You can take in the rich history of this area by checking out the remnants from the Civilian Conservation Corps, who helped build and improve the park in the 1930s. If you want to set up camp, head to the rustic, first-come, first-served campground and enjoy the sounds of the forest lulling you to sleep in your motorhome.
Colton Point State Park is in northern Pennsylvania, not far from the New York state border. You can reach Colton Point State Park off of Route 6, just 20 minutes from the town of Wellsboro. The roads surrounding the park are relatively easy to traverse, although some areas might be a bit winding since you are in a hilly region. This area is heavily forested, so watch out for falling tree limbs. This also means if you're traveling in the autumn, you'll get a spectacular show of reds and oranges on your scenic drive.
Several parking lots are dotted around the park, including near several scenic overlooks and picnic areas. If you are staying overnight, your best bet is to park at the campground, but keep in mind the road within the campground is a one-way road.
For those who cherish a simple escape among nature, the first-come, first-served campground at Colton Point State Park offers a rustic getaway for RV campers. Twenty-five primitive sites are just steps away from the Rim Trail, which will lead you to the panoramic overlooks providing vistas of the canyon below. Seven sites are suitable for RVs or travel trailers up to 38 feet in length. Thirteen sites are set aside for tent camping only, and nine campsites can only be accessed by walk-in. If you are using a tent or walk-in site, some parking is available within the campground, as well as an overflow lot nearby.
While there are no hookups, you can use the sanitary dump station at the campground entrance. The campground also features vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and potable water. Pets are welcome as long as they are restrained outside of the RV. Since reservations are not accepted, and there are a limited number of RV sites, you should arrive early to have a better chance of snagging a spot. When you arrive, make sure you check in at the registration kiosk located at the entrance. The campground is open from April until October.
Are you ready to see some gorgeous natural waterfalls and stunning overlooks? Colton Point State Park offers four miles of trails above and into the lush gorge. The best hike for families and beginners is the level, one-mile Rim Trail, which will take you to the scenic viewpoints along the top of the gorge. If you only have time to do one thing, it should be the Rim Trail since the bird's eye views of the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania" are breathtaking. More adventurous, experienced hikers will get a thrill on the three-mile Turkey Path that will take you past a cascading 70-foot waterfall into the bottom of the canyon.
Don't forget to pack a picnic basket and all the fixings in your Airstream so you can enjoy a peaceful picnic at Colton State Park. There are five picnic areas all along the top of the gorge, each offering unique views. There is nothing quite as tranquil as a picnic in the woods underneath the shade of hickories, sycamores, and oak trees. If you have a large group, five picnic pavilions can be reserved, and three of them even feature fireplaces.
The trails and overlooks within the park are some of the best places for wildlife viewing in the Allegheny Mountains. There are so many native animals you'll get to see when you step out of the campervan, including minks, beavers, white-tailed deer, snowshoe hares, and raccoons. Avid birders will have a field day since over 200 avian species live in this area, such as osprey, hawks, and even bald eagles.
Taking a road trip with a group or organization through Pennsylvania? Lucky for you, Colton Point State Park offers group tent camping for youth and adult groups. The group camping area can hold up to 90 people. The group sites are primitive, offering only picnic tables; however, you can use the restrooms and other amenities at the main campground. Since you have to walk a bit to reach the sites, vehicles can not access the group camp. Call ahead for reservations.
This area of Pennsylvania is known for its excellent opportunities for hunting. You can go out for the hunt on 100 acres across Colton Point State Park, which are also open for dog training and trapping. The park is a great place to try and snag pheasants, rabbits, and turkeys. If you'd like a chance of scene, hunting is also permitted at the nearby Leonard Harrison State Park and Tioga State Forest. Make sure you follow all state regulations and only hunt what it is in season.
Avid anglers will jump at the chance to fish in the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania." The only catch is that you'll have a far hike to get to this unique spot. You'll have to trek all the way to the bottom of the canyon in order to reach the great fishing in Pine Creek. Brace RV campers have the chance to snag trout, panfish, and smallmouth bass. There are other nearby streams that are popular for trout fishing, including those you can find off the Turkey Path Trail.
The forests of the Allegheny Mountains that stretch across the gorge illuminate like fire when autumn rolls around. The fall is a majestic time to visit Colton Point State Park in your Sprinter because you'll feast your eyes on reds, yellows, and oranges across the hills as far as the eye can see. The reds that you see likely come from red maples, sassafras, and red oaks. The cascade of yellow and orange is commonly from birches, sycamores, sugar maples, oak trees, and aspens.
