On the east rim of the canyon, the 585-acre Leonard Harrison State Park has modern facilities, a visitor center, and the most famous scenic views of the canyon. On the other side of the canyon is Colton Point State Park.
Hiking at Leonard Harrison State Park
4.6 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.
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 Leonard Harrison State Park
Picnic tables (seven of which are covered), charcoal grills, restrooms, drinking water, and trash bins are available.
Schloder Pavilion can be reserved for a fee. If unreserved, the pavilion is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Stay the Night at Leonard Harrison State Park
Camping
flush toilets, warm showers, some electric hook-ups
The campground is open from the second Friday in April until the third Sunday in October. Picnic tables, fire rings, showers, flush toilets, and a sanitary dump station are provided.
Some sites have electricity.
Pets are permitted on designated sites.
Wildlife Watching at Leonard Harrison 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. Some of these activities are regulated by the Bureau of State Parks or by the Bureau of Forestry, which have slightly different rules and regulations. Visitors can hike, mountain bike, ride horses, fish, birdwatch, hunt, camp, and seasonally whitewater boat.
Fishing at Leonard Harrison State Park
Fishing is available to those visitors who wish to make the long, steep hike down to Pine Creek. Species include:
Trout
Smallmouth bass
Panfish
Along Turkey Path Trail is the trout stream Four-Mile Run. Nearby trout streams include:
Marsh Creek
Stoney Fork Creek
Asaph Run
Straight Run
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.
Hunting at Leonard Harrison State Park
During established seasons, about 250 acres are open to:
Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
Common game species are:
Deer
Turkey
Rabbit
Pheasant
Squirrel
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.
