![Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-January-2022-Tioga-County-PA The author at the PA Grand Canyon Overlook at Leonard Harrison State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-January-2022-Tioga-County-PA-696x464.jpg)
If you’ve ever thought about taking a winter road trip to the PA Grand Canyon, then this is the article for you!
![Northern view of the PA Grand Canyon on a winter day.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/PA-Grand-Canyon-Winter-Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-Tioga-County-January-2022.jpg)
While certain areas of the Pine Creek Gorge are difficult (if not impossible) to reach without a snowmobile or a long hike this time of year, there are still PLENTY of things you can see and do on a winter road trip to the PA Grand Canyon.
![PA Grand Canyon Overlook on a winter day at Leonard Harrison State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-Observation-area-January-2022-Tioga-County-PA.jpg)
Here’s a map to the destinations featured on this road trip, including Leonard Harrison State Park, Middle Ridge UMC Church, and Wellsboro.
![Map of a PA Grand Canyon winter road trip.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Map-to-Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-Wellsboro-PA.jpg)
Leonard Harrison State Park
Leonard Harrison State Park, AKA the east rim of the PA Grand Canyon, is open during the winter.
![Entrance to Leonard Harrison State Park in the PA Grand Canyon.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-entrance-Winter-PA-Grand-Canyon-Tioga-County-PA.jpg)
The parking lot is plowed, allowing for access to the overlook area the park is famous for.
![Entrance to Views at Leonard Harrison State Park in the PA Grand Canyon.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-Entrance-to-Views-Winter-PA-Grand-Canyon.jpg)
If you’ve ever dreamt of having Leonard Harrison State Park all to yourself, winter is the time to make that dream a reality!
![Parking area at Leonard Harrison State Park on a winter day.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-Parking-Lot-Winter-PA-Grand-Canyon-Tioga-County-PA.jpg)
While the parking lot is plowed, the overlook area is not maintained, so this is strictly proceed at your own risk.
![Winter rules at Leonard Harrison State Park in Tioga County, PA](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-Winter-Rules-PA-Grand-Canyon.jpg)
Furthermore, the Turkey Path and Overlook Trail are both closed in the winter, so you are restricted to the overlooks adjacent to the Visitor Center.
![The Turkey Path Trailhead at Leonard Harrison State Park on a winter day.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Turkey-Path-Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-Winter.jpg)
But if you don’t mind walking through a little bit of snow (about a foot of snow the day these photos were taken) then visiting those overlooks is absolutely worth the effort!
![PA Grand Canyon overlook area at Leonard Harrison State Park on a winter morning.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-Overlooks-Winter-PA-Grand-Canyon.jpg)
To the north, you have a magnificent view of the PA Grand Canyon, in the direction of Barbour Rock Overlook.
![The PA Grand Canyon on a winter day, looking north towards Barbour Rock.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-WInter-PA-GRand-Canyon.jpg)
Directly across the gorge, you looking straight into Colton Point State Park.
![View across the PA Grand Canyon towards Colton Point State Park on a winter day.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-Winter-PA-Grand-Canyon-Tioga-County-PA.jpg)
And to the south, you’re looking down the Pine Creek Gorge in the direction of Bradley Wales Scenic View.
![The PA Grand Canyon looking south, towards Bradley Wales Scenic View.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/PA-Grand-Canyon-Winter-Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-January-2022.jpg)
If you’ve ever visited Leonard Harrison State Park in the summer, you know it can get quite busy, so being able to enjoy this scenery in total solitude is worth the trip!
![Tioga County CCC Worker Monument at Leonard Harrison State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-CCC-Camp-Monument-Winter-PA-Grand-Canyon.jpg)
Middle Ridge UMC Church
Middle Ridge UMC Church, just a short distance from the Leonard Harrison State Park boundary, is another worthwhile winter road trip stop.
![Middle Ridge UMC Church near Leonard Harrison State Park in the PA Grand Canyon.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Middle-Ridge-UMC-Church-PA-Grand-Canyon-Wellsboro-PA.jpg)
If you’ve read my article The 10 Best Roadside Attractions Near Wellsboro, you’ll be familiar with it already.
![Driving directions to the 10 best roadside attractions near Wellsboro, PA.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/10-Best-Roadside-Attractions-Near-Wellsboro-PA-Road-Map-FB-crop.jpg)
While it’s a beautiful church to photograph any time of year, winter in the PA Grand Canyon is an extra-vivid time to see the reds jump out against the surrounding blanket of white snow.
![Snowy scene from Middle Ridge UMC Church near Leonard Harrison State Park in the PA GRand Canyon.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Middle-Ridge-UMC-Church-PA-Grand-Canyon-Wellsboro-PA-Winter-Scene.jpg)
Wellsboro
No town is more synonymous with the PA Grand Canyon than Wellsboro, and it’s a beautiful place to visit in the winter.
![Downtown Wellsboro Christmas wreaths.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Downtown-Wellsboro-PA-Snow-January-2022.jpg)
Just walking around downtown, taking in the snow-covered buildings and window-shopping, is a fun way to spend an hour or two.
![Arcadia Theater and Penn Wells Motel in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Arcadia-Theater-Wellsboro-PA-Winter.jpg)
The landmark structures, like the Tioga County Courthouse, seem even more stately against the crisp blue winter sky.
![Tioga County Courthouse on a winter day.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Tioga-County-Courthouse-Wellsboro-PA-Januray-2022.jpg)
And let’s not forget the Wellsboro Diner, arguably the most famous building in Wellsboro and my go-to place to eat in the PA Grand Canyon!
![The snow-covered Wellsboro Diner on a winter morning.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Wellsboro-Diner-Januray-2022-Tioga-County-PA.jpg)
Final Thoughts
There are few places in the Keystone State more magical than the PA Grand Canyon, and a winter road trip to the PA Grand Canyon just may be the highlight of your entire year!
![Winter in the PA Grand Canyon.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/PA-Grand-Canyon-Winter-Leonard-Harrison-State-Park-Tioga-County-PA.jpg)
Related Articles
The Best Trails, Vistas, and Waterfalls in the PA Grand Canyon is your guide to ALL the best natural attractions in the PA Grand Canyon.
![Rusty Glessner at Amphitheater Falls in Tioga County Pennsylvania](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Amphitheatre-Falls-Campbells-Run-Pine-Creek-Gorge-PA-731x1024.jpg)
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