Exploring Blue Knob – The Second Highest Point in Pennsylvania

One of several ski lifts on the north face of Blue Knob in Bedford County PA.

Blue Knob in Bedford County is the second highest mountain in Pennsylvania, only 67 feet shorter than Mount Davis in Somerset County.

View to the northeast from Blue Knob in Bedford County PA.
View to the northeast.

Located at Blue Knob State Park, this was thought to be THE tallest mountain in Pennsylvania until 1921.

Blue Knob in Bedford County is 3,146 feet above sea level at he summit.
Blue Knob in Bedford County is 3,146 feet above sea level at he summit.

In the 1950s, the summit was the location of an Air Force radar station, until it was deactivated in 1961.

A summer afternoon looking north from the summit of Blue Knob
A summer afternoon at the site of the former Air Force radar station.

Now the summit is home to Blue Knob Ski Resort, billed as “the highest skiable mountain in Pennsylvania”.

Blue Knob is the highest skiable mountain in Pennsylvania.
Blue Knob is the highest skiable mountain in Pennsylvania.

Visiting the Summit of Blue Knob

The ski resort and summit of Blue Knob is easily reached via Pavia Road; if navigating by GPS use coordinates 40.288052, -78.562344 to reach the parking area next to the ski lodge.

A map to Blue Knob in Bedford County, the second highest point in Pennsylvania.
A map to Blue Knob in Bedford County, the second highest point in Pennsylvania.

You’ll see a high point marker above the snow tubing park, as well as some left over concrete bases from the Air Force radar station days.

High point marker at Blue Knob State Park in Bedford County Pennsylvania.
High point marker near the snow tubing park.

The summit gets its name from its dome shape and bluish sandstone composition.

Explanation for the Blue Knob name as displayed on the high point marker at Blue Knob State Park in Bedford County Pennsylvania.
Explanation for the mountain’s name.

Since the summit was cleared decades ago, the views are generally wide-open, ski lifts aside.

Blue Knob ski slopes on a summer afternoon.
Ski slopes on a summer afternoon.

The views from the ski lodge area are to the north and east.

Looking down a ski slope from Blue Knob.
Looking down a ski slope from the summit.

If you’re looking for more “natural” views, the nearby Pavia Overlook is a great spot, and the trailhead is literally a few hundred yards from the Blue Knob ski lodge.

View to the southwest from Pavia Overlook at Blue Knob State Park in Bedford County Pennsylvania.
View to the southwest from Pavia Overlook.

If you visit the Blue Knob summit on a summer day, you’ll most likely have the spot to yourself.

Ski lift at Blue Knob in Bedford County PA.
Ski lift at the summit.

Of course you can visit the Blue Knob summit in any season, as the road up to the ski resort is maintained for skier access.

Blue Knob ski area at Blue Knob State Park.
Early spring at the summit.

So whether you’re a “peak-bagger” or just a casual day-tripper, visiting the second-highest spot in Pennsylvania is a fun and easy adventure, any time of year!

Blue Knob Summit in Bedford County is the second-highest spot in Pennsylvania.
Summer views from the second-highest point in PA.

Exploring Mount Davis – The Highest Point in Pennsylvania will show you how to reach THE tallest summit in the state!

The view from High Point Lake Overlook on Mount Davis
The view from Mount Davis in Somerset County, the highest summit in the state.

Pavia Overlook, as mentioned previously, is just a short hike from the ski lodge at Blue Knob State Park.

Exploring Pavia Overlook at Blue Knob State Park in Pennsylvania.
The author at Pavia Overlook.

The Lost Children of the Alleghenies Monument honors two young brothers who wandered away from their Bedford County home in April, 1856 and perished in the nearby mountains, despite a massive search effort to save them.

The Lost Children of the Alleghenies monument on State Game Lands 26 in Bedford County Pennsylvania.
The Lost Children of the Alleghenies Monument.

23 Must-See Attractions in Bedford County will introduce you to more great spots near Blue Knob State Park.

Fort Bedford Museum in downtown Bedford Pennsylvania.
The Fort Bedford Museum in downtown Bedford.

Exploring the Scenic Overlooks at Chimney Rocks Park in Blair County will introduce you to to 3 impressive scenic overlooks in a beautiful borough park setting.

Autumn in Blair County at Chimney Rocks.
Autumn in Blair County at Chimney Rocks.

Cabbage Creek Falls is a picturesque little waterfall tucked away in a small nature park in neighboring Blair County.

Exploring Cabbage Creek Falls in Blair County Pennsylvania.
The author at Cabbage Creek Falls.

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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.