Bilger’s Rocks is part of a 170-acre community park, open to the public and located just minutes from Curwensville in central Clearfield County.
Billed by the Bilger’s Rocks Association (the group that owns and maintains the park) as “Pennsylvania’s Best Rock Outcropping”, this 300 million year-old natural “rock city” is a must-see for fans of geology and all things megalithic!
Bilger’s Rocks FAQs
1921 Bilger’s Rocks Rd
Grampian, PA 16838
Yes – use GPS coordinates 40.99329, -78.59315 to navigate to the parking lot at Bilger’s Rocks.
Sandstone.
The original European settler on the property, Jacob Bilger.
Over 300 million years old.
So old, in fact, that the Pangaea “supercontinent” was still intact at the time!
Yes – there are numerous trails you can follow to explore the “rock city” portion of the park, as well as numerous other trails on the 170-acre property.
Camping, picnicking, bird-watching, and mountain-biking, to name a few.
There is also a stage and large covered picnic pavilion that can be rented.
Year round from dawn until dusk.
No – it is free to visit Bilger’s Rocks, although there are donation boxes scattered around the premises.
Visiting Bilger’s Rocks
The 20-acre boulder field that makes up Bilger’s Rocks is a result of tectonic forces, gravity, and millions of years of erosion and freeze-thaw cycles.
A maze of passageways, caves, canyons, and overhangs, kids of all ages love exploring Bilger’s Rocks!
Some passageways are wide-open, others not so much!
Although there are specific trails you can follow, it’s fun to wander around and explore Bilger’s Rocks freestyle as well.
Unique Features at Bilger’s Rocks
Near the Bilger’s Rocks Road entrance to the boulder field, you’ll find a carving from 1921 featuring a globe and the phrase “The World is Looking to Us”, a sentiment that echoed the United States’ stature in the world after WWI.
Many plants and trees have established themselves in the nooks and crannies between the boulders at Bilger’s Rocks, leading to some interesting root formations.
Honestly, I find the tree roots at Bilger’s Rocks to be as interesting as the rock formations themselves!
Bilger’s Rocks is also home to a fascinating array of ice formations in the winter.
Bilger’s Run flows through the park, to the east of the boulder field.
Downstream from the rock formations you’ll find the remnants of a water-powered sawmill that dates back to 1851.
A dam built across Bilger’s Run served to help power the sawmill.
Scattered around the campground and playground area at Bilger’s Rocks you’ll find numerous wood carvings of rather odd faces.
Hiking at Bilger’s Rocks
Bilger’s Rocks makes a great hiking trip any time of the year.
In the summer months, the temperatures feel a good 10-15 degrees cooler down in the passageways between the boulders than they do up top near the parking area.
The rocks can certainly be more slippery in the winter, but the tradeoff is that you will often have the place to yourself!
Not only are there trails between the boulders, but through the forest and along the stream that runs through this 170-acre property as well.
I can’t recommend hiking at Bilger’s Rocks highly enough – one visit and you’ll see why!
Nearby Attractions
McGees Mills Covered Bridge is 12 miles away, and is the only remaining covered bridge in Clearfield County.
The Saint Severin Old Log Church in Clearfield County is a well-preserved example of mid-19th century “frontier” architecture.
Parker Dam State Park is a 968-acre expanse in Clearfield County featuring a tranquil lake, a beach area, scenic vistas, and miles of hiking trails.
At the Grice Museum in Clearfield you’ll find nearly 70 classic cars on display, along with hundreds of taxidermy mounts of wild game animals from around the globe.
Doolittle Station in DuBois is an eclectic mix of restaurants, museums, a brewery, and a bed and breakfast, all housed in historic train cars!
The Presidential Train Car Bed and Breakfast at Doolittle Station in DuBois is your chance to spend the night on a perfectly-preserved tain car built for early 1900s railroad tycoons!
The Ultimate Clearfield County Road Trip maps out a 109 mile adventure to see the best natural and man-made attractions in Clearfield County!
Hiking the Fred Woods Trail in Cameron County introduces you to a 4.57 mile-long hike that takes you past two fantastic vistas, as well as another incredible Pennsylvania “rock city”.
Beartown Rocks in Jefferson County features an exceptional scenic overlook perched high atop a “rock city” dating back to the last Ice Age!
Black Moshannon State Park is a magnificent year-round state park located in neighboring Centre County.
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