On the west rim of Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, the 368-acre Colton Point State Park resonates with the rustic charm of the Civilian Conservation Corps era of the 1930s.
The rugged overlooks offer great views of the canyon. Leonard Harrison State Park is visible on the other side of the canyon.
Hiking at Colton Point State Park
4 miles of trails
The trails lead to many beautiful vistas and waterfalls, but traverse very rugged terrain, pass close to many steep cliffs, and may have slippery surfaces.
Trails are subject to seasonal closure due to snow and ice, usually from December through April.
Rim Trail
1.0 mile, easiest hiking
Not to be confused with the West Rim Trail, Rim Trail follows the perimeter of the ‘point’ and links all of the overlook view areas together into a wonderful, mostly flat hike.
Turkey Path
3.0 miles round trip, most difficult hiking
This difficult trail descends 1.5 miles to the floor of the canyon. The highlight is a 70-foot cascading waterfall less than 0.5 mile down. The lowest parts of the trail run along a series of waterfalls.
It is a down and back trail. There is no bridge across Pine Creek at the bottom.
Caution! Hikers on the Turkey Path Trail should be in good physical condition, wear sturdy boots, and use caution due to slippery/wet conditions and steep trail sections.
Picnicking at Colton Point State Park
Picnic tables are available for year-round use.
There are also reservable pavilions throughout the park. Three of the pavilions have fireplaces.
Picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Stay the Night at Colton Point State Park
Camping
Vault toilets
The campground is open from the second Friday in April until the third Sunday in October. Campsites at Colton Point are not reservable but are available first-come, first-served.
Rustic toilets, tables, fire rings, water, and a sanitary dump station are provided.
Wildlife Watching at Colton Point State Park
The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania
Leonard Harrison and Colton Point state parks are on opposite sides of Pine Creek Gorge, also called the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.” Many scenic vistas offer spectacular views into the 800-foot-deep, glacial floodwater-carved canyon. The scenery at these parks is superb in every season of the year and is especially stunning in late September through mid-October.
The large abundance of deciduous hardwood trees display beautiful autumn shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple. Pockets of evergreen trees provide a dash of green year round.
Pine Creek Gorge begins just south of Ansonia, along US 6 and continues south for about 47 miles. At its deepest point, the gorge is 1,450 feet deep and nearly one mile wide.
At Leonard Harrison and Colton Point state parks, the depth of the gorge is about 800 feet and these parks have the most spectacular scenic overlooks.
Many recreational opportunities are available in the gorge. Visitors can:
Birdwatch
Camp
Fish
Hike
Hunt
Mountain bike
Ride horses
Whitewater boat (when water levels allow)
Some of these activities are regulated by DCNR's Bureau of State Parks or Bureau of Forestry, which have slightly different rules and regulations.
Fishing at Colton Point State Park
Fishing is available to those visitors willing to make the long, steep hike to the bottom of the canyon to Pine Creek. Species include:
Panfish
Smallmouth bass
Trout
Nearby trout streams include:
Asaph Run
Four-Mile Run (along the Turkey Path Trail)
Marsh Creek
Stoney Fork Creek
Straight Run
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.
Hunting at Colton Point State Park
During established seasons, about 100 acres are open to:
Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
Common game species are:
Deer
Pheasant
Rabbit
Squirrel
Turkey
Snowmobiling at Colton Point State Park
Registered snowmobiles may use the trail network on Tioga State Forest lands daily after the close of the deer season in December.
The park provides parking, picnic tables, and restrooms.
ATVs are not considered snowmobiles.
