The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania

Pine Creek Gorge in Tioga County is 47 miles long, with more than 12,000 acres of gorgeous, upstate Pennsylvania wilderness to explore

Photo by Nicholas

In no way, shape, or form will anyone ever mistake the softly forested, 1,000-foot deep Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania (a.k.a. Pine Creek Gorge, wedged between Colton Point and Leonard Harrison state parks in the Tioga State Forest) for the Grand Canyon of Arizona.

Not that it isn't special in its own quiet way.

Forty-seven miles long and carved by glaciers, the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania offers 12,163 acres laced with hiking trails (the view from West Rim Trail is shown above, with Pine Creek Trail visible running along the bottom of the valley)—as well as opportunities for mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, and springtime whitewater rafting and canoeing.

A 12-mile stretch of it has been declared a National Natural Landmark, and in late September and early October the hardwoods blaze into the brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows of the fall foliage season.

In other words, it’s a typical scenic spot in upstate Pennsylvania. So why does this somewhat fancifully monikered "Grand Canyon" get billing on this list in the company of national parks? Because it is, relatively speaking, just up the road from my house—about a 3-1/2 hour drive north, near the New York border.

I include Pine Creek Gorge to emphasize the idea that you don’t have to travel halfway across the country to see spectacular scenery or get back in touch with nature. Every state has its own scenic wonders and backwoods trails just waiting for you to discover them, whether they be on federal lands, state parks, or simply the remaining tracts of undeveloped countryside.

It’s a true shame Arizona has decided to yank away their welcome mat and actively discourage outsiders from visiting their beautiful state, but that's their decision—and there's no reason you can't have a fabulous vacation in your own backyard.

Info: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/leonardharrison.aspx

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