Exploring Hawn’s Overlook at Raystown Lake

Exploring Hawn's Overlook at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.

If you’re looking for directions to Hawn’s Overlook at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County, you’re in the right place!

Observation area at Hawn's Overlook above Raystown Lake.
Hawn’s Overlook is the most popular vista at Raystown Lake.

Hawn’s Overlook is arguably the best-known and most scenic of the overlooks perched high on the hills above Raystown Lake.

Summer views from Hawn's Overlook at Raystown Lake.
Summer views from Hawn’s Overlook.

This article will show you how to find Hawn’s Overlook, as well as several other spectacular scenic views in the nearby vicinity.

Map of the scenic overlooks near Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania
Map of the scenic overlooks near Raystown Lake.

A Brief History of Raystown Lake

Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County is the largest lake entirely situated with the state of Pennsylvania.

A panoramic view from Hawn's Overlook.
A panoramic view from Hawn’s Overlook.

Created by damming the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River, this 8,300 acre Army Corps of Engineers project provides flood control, recreational opportunities, and power generation via a hydroelectric generating station located at the Raystown Dam.

Raystown Dam historical marker.
Raystown Dam historical marker.

Dedicated in 1974, Raystown Lake is a popular spot for boating, swimming, fishing, and scuba diving.

Lake Raystown in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Raystown Lake.

The area around the lake also provides for some spectacular views, four of which are the subject of this article.

View to the north from Hawn's Overlook.
View to the north.

1. Hawn’s Overlook at Raystown Lake

Perhaps the most well-known and most-scenic vista at Raystown Lake, Hawn’s Overlook offers 180 degree views from a perch high above Hawn’s Peninsula.

The observation area at Hawn's Overlook above Raystown Lake.
The observation area at Hawn’s Overlook above Raystown Lake.

Hawn’s Overlook is accessed from a gravel lot at the end of Henderson Overlook Road.


A 300 yard crushed-stone trail leads from the parking lot to Hawn’s Overlook.

The Hawn's Overlook Trail at Raystown Lake.
The Hawn’s Overlook Trail at Raystown Lake.

Just look for the sign pictured below at the back edge of the parking lot, marking the trailhead for the short hike to the overlook.

Hawn's Overlook trail head in Huntingdon County.
Hawn’s Overlook trailhead in Huntingdon County.

The GPS coordinates for Hawn’s Overlook are 40.42973, -78.01895.

The trail approaching Hawn's Overlook.
The trail approaching Hawn’s Overlook.

Once you reach Hawn’s Overlook, you’ll be amazed by the views!

Observation deck at Hawn's Overlook near Raystown Lake.
Observation deck at Hawn’s Overlook near Raystown Lake.

A fence and retaining wall serve to deter visitors from venturing too close to the drop-off below the overlook.

The observation area at Hawn's Overlook in Huntingdon County PA.
The observation area.

An informational sign lets you know what you’re looking at.

Informational sign at Hawn's Overlook.
Informational sign at Hawn’s Overlook.

Boaters on the lake seem almost microscopic from this elevated vantage point.

The view from above Raystown Lake at Hawn's Overlook.
The view from above Raystown Lake at Hawn’s Overlook.

The enormity of the lake becomes apparent from Hawn’s Overlook, maybe more so than from any other vantage point.

View to the west from Hawn's Overlook.
View to the west from Hawn’s Overlook.

Winter is a beautiful time to visit Hawn’s Overlook.

Looking out over Raytown Lake from Hawn's Overlook in late December.
Looking out over Raystown Lake from Hawn’s Overlook in late December.

On a cold, clear day the views from Hawn’s Overlook seem to go on forever.

A winter scene at Hawn's Overlook in Huntingdon County PA
A winter scene at Hawn’s Overlook in Huntingdon County, PA.

There are also great fall foliage views to be had from this vantage point.

Fall foliage views from Hawn's Overlook in Huntingdon County PA.
Fall foliage views from Hawn’s Overlook above Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County, October 2021.

2. Ridenour Overlook at Raystown Lake

Ridenour Overlook at Raystown Lake offers sweeping views of the Raystown Dam and the Juniata River Valley downstream.

The view from Ridenour Overlook on an early October afternoon.
The view from Ridenour Overlook on an early October afternoon.

It is located at GPS coordinates 40.43144, -78.01685, and is adjacent to the parking area next to the Hawn’s Overlook trailhead.

Monument at Ridenour Overlook in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Monument at Ridenour Overlook.

Steps leading to the vista from the parking area take you past an Army Corps of Engineers monument.

Historical marker at Ridenour Overlook near Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Historical marker at Ridenour Overlook near Raystown Lake.

At the top of the stairs is a large wall and observation area, along with several benches.

Ridenour Overlook at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County.
Ridenour Overlook at Raystown Lake.

Informational signs let you know what you are looking at from the vista.

Informational sign at the Ridenour Overlook near Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County PA.
Informational sign at the Ridenour Overlook near Raystown Lake.

And then of course there is the view from Ridenour Overlook itself!

The view from Ridenour Overlook at Raystown Lake.
The view from Ridenour Overlook at Raystown Lake.

A view that is exceptional no matter what time of year you visit.

Winter at Ridenour Overlook near Raystown Dam in Huntingdon County PA
Winter at Ridenour Overlook near Raystown Dam in Huntingdon County, PA.

From Ridenour Overlook you can easily see the next two views I’ll mention – the Raystown Dam Overlook and the Raystown Pagoda.

Looking down on the Raystown Pagoda and the Raystown Dam Overlook from Ridenour Overlook.
Looking down on the Raystown Pagoda and the Raystown Dam Overlook from Ridenour Overlook.

3. Raystown Dam Overlook

While this view is from below rather than above, the scene is no less remarkable from the Raystown Dam Overlook, located along River Road at GPS coordinates 40.43285, -77.99930.

View from the Raystown Dam Overlook in Huntingdon County PA
View from the Raystown Dam Overlook.

As with the first two overlooks mentioned, an informational sign lets you know what you are viewing, as well as a bit of history of Raystown Lake.

The Raystown Dam Overlook in Huntingdon County.
The Raystown Dam Overlook in Huntingdon County.

A large paved area near the Raystown Dam Overlook is a popular fishing spot.

Fishing area below the Raystown Dam in Huntingdon County.
Fishing area below the Raystown Dam.

An informational sign near the overlook tells you a bit about the power-generating capacity the dam provides.

Informational sign near the Raystown Dam in Huntingdon County.
Informational sign near the Raystown Dam in Huntingdon County.

4. Raystown Pagoda

The Raystown Pagoda is accessed via Raystown Dam Road, which passes directly below the breast of the dam.

The Raytown Pagoda is a picturesque covered spot for a picnic.
The Raytown Pagoda is a picturesque covered spot for a picnic.

The overlook is located at GPS coordinates 40.43073, -78.00735, and there are restrooms located next to the pagoda and parking area.

October afternoon at the Raystown Pagoda.
October afternoon at the Raystown Pagoda.

This is one of the more unusual pavilions you’ll find in Pennsylvania, and it is dedicated to James Weaver, the resident engineer on the Raystown Dam project from 1968-1973.

Historical marker at the Raystown Pagoda in Huntingdon County.
Historical marker at the Raystown Pagoda in Huntingdon County.

The Raystown Pagoda offers shade from the sun or shelter from the rain, while providing an outstanding view of Raystown Lake.

View to the southwest from inside the Raystown Pagoda in Huntingdon County PA.
View to the southwest from inside the Raystown Pagoda.

Raystown Lake is nearly 200 feet deep in this area directly above the dam, and is rumored to be the home of Raystown Ray, a cousin (perhaps) of the famed Loch Ness Monster!

View from the Raystown Pagoda at Raystown Lake.
View from the Raystown Pagoda at Raystown Lake.

The Raytown Pagoda is a picturesque covered spot for a picnic at Raystown Lake.

Inside the Raystown Pagoda at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County.
Inside the Raystown Pagoda at Raystown Lake.

So there you have it – directions to Hawn’s Overlook at Raystown Lake, as well as three other nearby scenic views!

A scene from Hawn's Overlook at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County.
A scene from Hawn’s Overlook at Raystown Lake.

Nearby Attractions

Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County is home to a variety of attractions, including the spectacular Rainbow Falls.

Exploring Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County PA
Fall foliage at Rainbow Falls in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

The East Broad Top Railroad offers scenic train rides, shop tours, and visits to the “roundhouse” where their fleet of six historic steam engines live.

Engine Number 16 on The East Broad Top Railroad in May, 2023.
Engine Number 16 on The East Broad Top Railroad in Huntingdon County.

Saint Mary’s Covered Bridge is the lone remaining covered bridge in Huntingdon County.

Saint Mary's Covered Bridge in Huntingdon County, PA
Saint Mary’s Covered Bridge in Huntingdon County, PA

Indian Lookout in Huntingdon County is one of the most outstanding scenic overlooks in all the Rothrock State Forest.

Exploring Indian Lookout in the Rothrock State Forest.
The author at Indian Lookout in Huntingdon County.

20 Must-See Attractions in Huntingdon County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near Hawn’s Overlook!

The best things to see and do in Huntingdon County PA.
Scenes from Huntingdon County, PA.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.