PA Abandoned Places

Exploring an Abandoned Railroad Tunnel in Perry County

A collage of four images showcases different perspectives of the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania. The top left image features a hiker in a red jacket and orange beanie standing at the rugged entrance of the tunnel, surrounded by fallen branches and moss-covered rocks. The top right image captures the hiker exploring the interior, with jagged rock walls arching overhead and a partially frozen pool of water on the tunnel floor. The bottom left image looks toward the bright entrance from deep inside the tunnel, emphasizing the rough, unfinished excavation of the failed Path Valley Railroad project, which was abandoned in 1895. The bottom right image shows the hiker standing at the back of the tunnel, where the passage narrows into darkness, highlighting the eerie, isolated atmosphere of this historic site within the Tuscarora State Forest.

If you’re looking for information about visiting the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Tunnel in Perry County, you’re in the right place!

A hiker wearing a red jacket and orange beanie stands at the entrance of the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania, gripping a walking stick while gazing into the dark passage. The jagged rock ceiling arches overhead, showing layers of exposed stone from the failed excavation of the Path Valley Railroad, which was abandoned in 1895. Ice formations rise from the rocky ground near the entrance, contrasting with the fallen leaves and debris scattered across the forest floor. The tunnel extends deeper into the hillside, its darkness adding to the eerie, remote atmosphere of this historic site hidden within the Tuscarora State Forest.

The Conococheague Mountain Tunnel is a 19th-century unfinished railroad tunnel located in the present-day Tuscarora State Forest, near Big Spring State Park.

A hiker in a red jacket and orange beanie stands on a rocky ledge inside the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania, gazing deeper into the unfinished passage. The tunnel's rugged rock walls curve overhead, displaying jagged, layered formations from the failed excavation of the Path Valley Railroad, which was abandoned in 1895. A large, still pool of water covers much of the tunnel floor, reflecting the hiker and the rough stone surroundings. Scattered branches and fallen debris lie partially submerged, adding to the eerie and untouched nature of this historic site hidden within the remote Tuscarora State Forest.

History of the Conococheague Mountain Tunnel

The Path Valley Railroad was a proposed 23 mile-long narrow-gauge railway intended to connect New Germantown and Fannettsburg via a 2,600-foot tunnel under Conococheague Mountain.

A map illustrating the intended route of the Path Valley Railroad, which was planned to run between Fannettsburg and New Germantown in Pennsylvania before its abandonment in 1895. The route is marked in yellow, with the Conococheague Mountain Tunnel indicated along the way as a key point where construction difficulties ultimately led to the railroad's failure. The surrounding area includes Amberson Valley Estates and nearby towns such as Dry Run and Roxbury. The unfinished tunnel now lies within the Tuscarora State Forest, serving as a historical relic of the ambitious but unsuccessful rail project.

Construction began in October 1893, but the unexpectedly difficult rock formations caused delays, leading to the tunnel contractor’s bankruptcy in September 1894 and the project’s abandonment in 1895.

Today, the partially excavated northern entrance of the tunnel extends nearly 200 feet into the mountain and can be reached via the 0.4-mile Tunnel Trail, which begins at Big Spring State Park and winds through Tuscarora State Forest.

A hiker wearing a red jacket and orange beanie stands on a rocky ledge inside the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania, gazing toward the light streaming in from the northern entrance. The tunnel's rough, jagged rock walls arch overhead, showcasing the unfinished excavation work from the failed Path Valley Railroad, which was abandoned in 1895. A partially frozen pool of water covers the floor, reflecting the tunnel’s rugged interior and scattered debris. The contrast between the dark, shadowy passage and the bright entrance leading back to the remote Tuscarora State Forest enhances the tunnel’s eerie and isolated atmosphere.

Directions to Conococheague Mountain Tunnel

The trailhead is located along Hemlock Road at Big Spring State Park.

If navigating by GPS coordinates, you’ll find this gravel parking lot at 40.26215, -77.65999, just 100 yards off of Route 274.

A remote parking area along Hemlock Road in Perry County, Pennsylvania, serves as a trailhead for visitors exploring the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in the Tuscarora State Forest. A red Toyota Tacoma is parked on the gravel lot near an informational kiosk with a moss-covered roof, which provides details about the surrounding forest and trails. Leafless trees and evergreens line the area, with the winding gravel road continuing into the distance. The quiet, wooded setting emphasizes the isolation of this historic site, once part of the failed Path Valley Railroad project, which was abandoned in 1895.

The trailhead is located on the opposite side of Hemlock Road from the parking area.

A wooden signpost marks the entrance to the Tunnel Trail in Perry County, Pennsylvania, indicating a 0.4-mile hike to the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel, with a round-trip distance of one mile. The narrow dirt path winds through a dense forest of tall trees and thick undergrowth, covered in fallen leaves and scattered moss-covered rocks. A small blue trail marker stands nearby, guiding visitors toward the historic, unfinished tunnel. The surrounding landscape, part of the Tuscarora State Forest, provides a secluded and rugged setting for exploring the remains of the failed Path Valley Railroad project, which was abandoned in 1895.

This yellow-blazed trail is well-worn and easy to follow, with only slight undulations along the way.

A topographic map highlights the route to the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania, located within the Tuscarora State Forest. The map shows Hemlock Road as the primary access route, with a marked parking area at Big Spring State Park. A dashed yellow line indicates the trail leading to the tunnel, which follows the remnants of the failed Path Valley Railroad project, abandoned in 1895. The surrounding terrain is depicted with contour lines, emphasizing the rugged and forested nature of the area. Labels for Big Spring State Park and Tuscarora State Forest provide context for hikers and history enthusiasts exploring this remote site.

You’ll experience 86 feet of elevation gain along the 0.4 mile hike to the tunnel, according to my GPS measurements.

A moss-covered path winds through a dense forest along the Tunnel Trail in Tuscarora State Forest, leading to the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania. The narrow, uneven trail follows the remnants of the failed Path Valley Railroad route, which was abandoned in 1895 due to construction difficulties. Tall, leafless trees line the path, with patches of evergreen shrubs adding a touch of green to the otherwise muted woodland landscape. The secluded and rugged terrain enhances the sense of isolation, making this trail a hidden gem for those seeking to explore the unfinished tunnel and its historic surroundings.

As you near the tunnel itself, you’ll encounter an aging picnic table and a small piece of fence which seems to be there to deter ATV’s from entering the tunnel.

A weathered wooden picnic table sits along a narrow forest path leading to the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania. The surrounding area is covered in fallen leaves, broken branches, and scattered rocks, giving the scene a secluded and forgotten feel. In the background, the tunnel entrance is partially obscured by trees and a rustic wooden railing, marking the transition from the forested landscape to the dark, unfinished passageway. The site, hidden within the Tuscarora State Forest, remains a relic of the failed 19th-century Path Valley Railroad project, which was abandoned in 1895.

As of March 2025, the only signage present at the tunnel entrance is one indicating that the fence and possibly the picnic table were placed there by the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps.

A rustic wooden barrier marks the approach to the northern entrance of the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania. Beyond the barrier, a narrow, rocky trail leads up a leaf-covered hillside to the dark tunnel opening, carved into the rugged terrain of the Tuscarora State Forest. Fallen branches, scattered rocks, and patches of moss cover the ground, emphasizing the remote and overgrown nature of this historic site. The failed Path Valley Railroad project, abandoned in 1895, left this unfinished tunnel as a reminder of the challenging terrain and engineering difficulties that halted construction.

So with no signage saying you can’t explore the tunnel, I proceeded to check it out from front to back.

A hiker wearing a red jacket and orange beanie stands in the center of the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania, surveying the rough, unfinished passage. The tunnel’s jagged rock walls display distinct layers of exposed stone, remnants of the failed excavation for the Path Valley Railroad, which was abandoned in 1895. A shallow pool of water covers part of the rocky floor, reflecting the rugged ceiling and scattered debris. A sloping dirt mound on one side adds to the tunnel’s raw, unpolished appearance. The passage narrows and darkens in the distance, disappearing into the depths of the remote Tuscarora State Forest.

If at some point in the future the State decides to make the Conococheague Mountain Tunnel off-limits (like they did with Turn Hole Tunnel at Lehigh Gorge State Park, for example), then you should heed any signage to that effect.

A striking view of the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania, showcasing jagged ice formations near the tunnel entrance. The tunnel, carved into the rocky hillside, extends into darkness with its rough, unfinished walls visible along the curved ceiling. The icy structures in the foreground add a dramatic contrast to the rugged stonework, emphasizing the tunnel’s remote and undisturbed nature. This tunnel, originally intended for the failed Path Valley Railroad in the late 19th century, now lies abandoned in the Tuscarora State Forest, accessible via a short but rugged hiking trail.

Exploring Conococheague Mountain Tunnel

Despite what some other sources I’ve come across on the internet say, this northern portal of the Conococheague Mountain Tunnel extends nearly 200 feet into the side of the mountain (not 100 feet, which was probably a guestimate from folks who never actually went into the tunnel to step it off).

A hiker wearing a red jacket and orange beanie stands inside the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania, silhouetted against the bright light streaming in from the entrance. The jagged rock walls and ceiling of the unfinished tunnel arch overhead, revealing rough, layered stone from the failed excavation for the Path Valley Railroad, which was abandoned in 1895. The uneven, sloping floor is covered in debris, with a thin layer of ice and mud reflecting the dim light. The contrast between the tunnel’s shadowy interior and the bright opening leading back to the Tuscarora State Forest adds to the mysterious and isolated atmosphere of this historic site.

The roof of the tunnel is easily 15-20 feet high throughout most of the cavity.

A hiker in a red jacket and orange beanie stands just inside the entrance of the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania, leaning on a walking stick as they explore the dark, unfinished passage. The tunnel’s rugged rock ceiling arches overhead, with jagged layers of exposed stone marking the incomplete excavation of the failed Path Valley Railroad, which was abandoned in 1895. Large ice formations rise from the rocky floor near the entrance, contrasting with the fallen leaves and debris scattered across the ground. The tunnel extends deeper into the hillside, disappearing into darkness as it winds through the remote Tuscarora State Forest.

When you get to the very back of the tunnel, where construction stopped in 1894, there is less headroom, but I could still comfortably stand there without ducking (I’m 5’10”).

A hiker wearing a red jacket and orange beanie stands at the back of the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania, leaning on a wooden walking stick. The jagged rock walls curve inward, forming a rough, uneven chamber where excavation work for the Path Valley Railroad abruptly ended before the project was abandoned in 1895. The dimly lit space, illuminated by a flashlight, highlights the raw, unfinished nature of the tunnel, with layers of stone exposed from the failed construction effort. Shadows cast by the rugged rock formations add to the eerie, isolated atmosphere of this historic site hidden deep within the Tuscarora State Forest.

A small pool of water (partially frozen and crystal-clear during my late March visit) has formed in the center, which you can skirt around on the right side when venturing back into the cave.

That frozen pool of water made for one of my favorite photos from my trip inside Conococheague Mountain Tunnel.

Inside the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania, jagged rock walls and a rough, uneven ceiling frame the tunnel’s dimly lit passage. Sunlight filters through the distant entrance, casting a glow on the tunnel floor, which is covered in fractured stone, debris, and a partially frozen pool of water reflecting the light. The failed excavation work from the abandoned 19th-century Path Valley Railroad project is evident in the tunnel’s unfinished, rugged appearance. The eerie, desolate atmosphere is amplified by the tunnel’s crumbling rock formations and the stark contrast between the dark interior and the bright opening leading back to the remote Tuscarora State Forest.

When you’ve had your fill of this abandoned railroad tunnel, simply follow the yellow blazes back to your vehicle at the trailhead.

A tree with a yellow trail blaze marks the route of the Tunnel Trail in the Tuscarora State Forest, leading to the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania. The narrow, rocky path is covered in patches of moss and lined with tall, leafless trees, creating a secluded and rugged hiking experience. Evergreen shrubs add a touch of greenery to the otherwise muted forest landscape. This trail follows the remnants of the failed Path Valley Railroad project, which was abandoned in 1895, offering hikers a glimpse into a forgotten chapter of Pennsylvania’s railroad history.

There’s not a lot to see at Big Spring State Park itself, as it’s more of a picnic area than anything else, but there are a few pavilions and vault toilets.

A wooded picnic area at Big Spring State Park in Perry County, Pennsylvania, features several rustic pavilions with moss-covered roofs nestled among tall, leafless trees. A weathered directional sign in the foreground points visitors toward pavilions, restrooms, and hiking trailheads. A gravel path winds through the park, leading to the start of the trail that accesses the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel, a failed 19th-century rail project now hidden in the Tuscarora State Forest. Fallen leaves and scattered rocks cover the forest floor, adding to the secluded and historic atmosphere of this former railroad site.

At one point there was a CCC Camp here, as some signage at the park indicates.

An informational sign at Big Spring State Park in Perry County, Pennsylvania, details the park’s history and its role as a trailhead for the Hemlocks. The sign describes how the area was historically used as a resting point for stagecoaches in the 19th century and later developed into a public camp in 1922 before being designated a state park in 1969. It also highlights the involvement of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, with Camp S-111 constructing pavilions and other park features. The sign includes historical photographs of early park visitors, the CCC camp sign, and the surrounding hemlock forest. This park serves as an access point for trails leading to the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel, a failed 19th-century rail project hidden within the Tuscarora State Forest.

Some ruins from that CCC camp are still visible near the parking area.

A crumbling stone structure stands deep in the forest, a remnant of a former Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp near the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel in Perry County, Pennsylvania. The weathered walls, built from roughly hewn stone, feature a small, rusted metal oven and an arched opening at the base, possibly remnants of a fireplace or furnace. Moss and lichen creep along the surface, blending the structure into the surrounding woodland. A narrow passageway extends through the stone wall, partially obscured by fallen leaves and encroaching vegetation. Leafless trees tower in the background, adding to the sense of isolation and abandonment in this historic site within the Tuscarora State Forest.

If you do decide to visit Conococheague Mountain Tunnel, take the time to drive a few extra minutes down Hemlock Road afterwards to Hickory Ridge Overlook, a roadside vista.

A panoramic view from Hickory Ridge Overlook in Tuscarora State Forest, Perry County, Pennsylvania, showcases rolling forested hills stretching toward distant valleys and mountain ridges. The leafless trees in the foreground contrast with the soft blue sky, while scattered patches of evergreen add depth to the rugged landscape. This scenic overlook, located about a mile from the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel, offers a breathtaking perspective of the remote wilderness that once challenged the construction of the failed Path Valley Railroad, which was abandoned in 1895.

It’s only 1.5 miles past the Tunnel Trail parking area, and the road was in very good condition (for a forest road) as of March 2025.

A bright orange Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 is parked at Hickory Ridge Overlook in Tuscarora State Forest, Perry County, Pennsylvania, with a sweeping view of rolling forested hills and distant valleys in the background. The rugged landscape, with leafless trees and patches of evergreens, highlights the remote wilderness of the area. This overlook is located about a mile from the abandoned Conococheague Mountain Railroad Tunnel, a remnant of the failed Path Valley Railroad project, which was abandoned in 1895 due to construction challenges. The scene captures the adventurous spirit of exploring Pennsylvania’s lost history and rugged backroads.

Turn Hole Tunnel is an abandoned railroad tunnel constructed in 1866 by the Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad, located near the Glen Onoko access to Lehigh Gorge State Park.

Looking through the Turn Hole Tunnel at Lehigh Gorge State Park towards the north portal.

The Abandoned Coburn Railroad Tunnel in Centre County was originally constructed as part of the Lewisburg, Centre and Spruce Creek Railroad in the 1870s and in use for nearly 100 years, until it was officially abandoned by the Penn Central Railroad in 1970.

Exploring the Abandoned Coburn Railroad Tunnel in Centre County Pennsylvania

38 Abandoned Places in PA You Can Legally Explore is your guide to even more destinations that continue to fascinate visitors decades after they outlived their intended purposes.

The western portal of Rays Hill Tunnel along the Abandoned PA Turnpike

Find even more great spots to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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