Barbour Rock Overlook in Tioga County offers visitors an exceptional view of the natural wonder which is the PA Grand Canyon!
Accessed via the mostly-flat, 0.7 mile-long Barbour Rock Trail, this relatively easy hike is a must-do when visiting the PA Grand Canyon’s western rim.
How to Find the Barbour Rock Trail
The trail head for the Barbour Rock Overlook hike is located along Colton Road at GPS coordinates 41.72323, -77.45591.
Turn onto Colton Road off of Route 6, and follow it for 3 miles to the parking area on your right (trailhead will be on your left, across from parking lot).
Hiking the Barbour Rock Trail
The Barbour Rock Trail starts out as a wide, crushed-stone path that according to the DCNR is wheelchair-accessible.
I would caution that despite the handicap-accessible designation, there are sections of the crushed-stone trail that have as much as a 6% incline, so be prepared for that.
200 yards into the hike, you’ll come to a fork where you can either continue along the wide, crushed-stone trail, or follow a more narrow, yellow-blazed dirt trail.
The yellow-blazed dirt trail will get you to Barbour Rock Overlook faster, covering less distance at 0.4 miles.
The blue-blazed crushed stone trail will take a bit longer, covering 0.7 miles, albeit it a smoother trail.
Either way, they both bring you out at the same point – the incredible Barbour Rock Overlook!
Exploring Barbour Rock Overlook
The view from Barbour Rock Overlook faces east, with 180-degree views to the north and south as well.
The “official” overlook has a bench and wooden railing around it – a safer bet if you have kids with you.
Several other vantage points to the right and left of the official overlook offer slightly different angles.
Far below on the eastern side of Pine Creek you can make out the Pine Creek Rail Trail.
The view to the northeast is in the direction of nearby Chimney Hollow Falls.
A short but challenging off-trail hike, Chimney Hollow Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the PA Grand Canyon!
Once you’ve had your fill of Barbour Rock Overlook, simply backtrack along the trail you took to get there, or make a loop hike out of it and take the yellow or blue-blazed trail opposite the one you hiked out on.
Nearby Attractions
The trailhead for Bear Run Falls is just 0.6 miles further down Colton Road, in the direction of Colton Point State Park.
This series of 6 unnamed, off-trail waterfalls along Bear Run makes it one of the prettiest stretches of stream anywhere in PA!
The 10 Best Roadside Attractions Near Wellsboro gives you driving directions to 10 destinations in the PA Grand Canyon that just about anyone can enjoy, regardless of age or physical abilities.
Bradley Wales Scenic View is an exceptional roadside vista on the west rim of the PA Grand Canyon.
Colton Point State Park is home to a rugged waterfall hike and several fantastic scenic overlooks.
Leonard Harrison State Park lies directly across the Pine Creek Gorge, on the eastern rim of the PA Grand Canyon.
Leonard Harrison State Park is home to what is arguably the most famous hike in the PA Grand Canyon – the Turkey Path.
This mile-long trail takes you from the top of the PA Grand Canyon down to Pine Creek at its base, passing numerous waterfalls along its switchback descent.
People flock to Tioga County every October to enjoy the changing autumn leaves, and if that appeals to you be sure to check out my guide on where to find the best fall foliage views in the PA Grand Canyon.
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