Exploring Colton Point State Park in Tioga County

Scenes from Colton Point State Park in Pennsylvania.
Scenes from Colton Point State Park.

Colton Point State Park encompasses 368-acres on the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge in Tioga County.

Looking north towards Ansonia from an overlook at Colton Point State Park.
Looking north towards Ansonia from an overlook at Colton Point State Park.

Perhaps best known for its magnificent views of the PA Grand Canyon, it is also home to a rugged waterfall trail that mirrors a similar trail on the opposite side of Pine Creek.

A summer view of Rexford Branch Falls in the Pine Creek Gorge.
A summer view of Rexford Branch Falls at Colton Point State Park.

Colton Point was named in the late 1800s for Henry Colton, a lumberman who supervised the cutting of white pine on this land while working for the Williamsport Lumber Company.

History of the West Rim of the Pine Creek Gorge at Colton Point State Park.
History of the Colton Point State Park.


How to Find Colton Point State Park

Colton Point State Park is located 5 miles south of Ansonia, along Colton Road, directly across the PA Grand Canyon from Leonard Harrison State Park.

How to find Colton Point State Park in Tioga County PA, directly across the PA Grand Canyon from Leonard Harrison State Park.
How to find Colton Point State Park in Tioga County PA, directly across the PA Grand Canyon from Leonard Harrison State Park.

If navigating by GPS, use coordinates 41.715039, -77.464682 to find the entrance to the park, along Colton Road.

Colton Point State Park sign along Colton Road.
Park entrance sign along Colton Road.

Scenic Overlooks at Colton Point State Park

There are several superb scenic overlooks at Colton Point State Park, featuring views of the PA Grand Canyon to the north, south, and east.

View of the Pine Creek Gorge looking south from Colton Point State Park.
View of the Pine Creek Gorge looking south.

As you look out over the lush forest below, it’s hard to image that just a little over 100 years ago this valley had been stripped bare of all trees and was known as the “Pennsylvania Desert”.

View of the Pine Creek Gorge looking north from Colton Point State Park.
View of the Pine Creek Gorge looking north.

What you see now is all second-growth forest, planted in large part by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.

Tioga County CCC Worker memorial and statue at Leonard Harrison State Park.
Tioga County CCC Worker memorial and statue at Leonard Harrison State Park, Colton Point’s sister park.

The fall foliage views from Colton Point State Park are incredible!

Autumn view of Barbour's Bend along Pine Creek in the PA Grand Canyon.
Autumn view of Pine Creek in the PA Grand Canyon.

But even before things “leaf out” in the spring, the PA Grand Canyon is still a striking sight to behold.

Early spring view of the PA Grand Canyon from Colton Point State Park in Tioga County, PA.
Early spring view of the PA Grand Canyon from Colton Point State Park in Tioga County, PA.

The Turkey Path at Colton Point State Park

The Turkey Path at Leonard Harrison State Park is one of the most famous hiking trails in the PA Grand Canyon.

Turkey Path trailhead at Leonard Harrison State Park in Tioga County.
Turkey Path trailhead at Leonard Harrison State Park in Tioga County.

Along the way a series of switchbacks and stairways take you past a series of waterfalls on your way to the bottom of the Pine Creek Gorge.

Observation area along the Turkey Path in the PA Grand Canyon.
Observation area along the Turkey Path at Leonard Harrison State Park.

The Turkey Path at Colton Point State Park is like the more rugged cousin of its counterpart across the gorge.

The Turkey Path Trailhead at Colton Point State Park in Tioga County, PA.
The Turkey Path Trailhead at Colton Point State Park.

The trail here is narrower, rockier, and longer as it too makes its way to the bottom of the Pine Creek Gorge.

Rexford Branch Falls in the Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area.
Rexford Branch Falls at Colton Point State Park.

If you’re the adventurous type, there is a series of off-trail waterfalls along Fourmile Run in the Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area, adjacent to Colton Point State Park.

Fourmile Run Falls in the PA Grand Canyon
Fourmile Run Falls in the Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area.

While the waterfalls along Fourmile Run are beautiful, seeing them requires you to literally hike up the streambed, and as such, should only be attempted by experienced hikers.

Logjam Falls on Fourmile Run in Tioga County.
Logjam Falls on Fourmile Run in Tioga County.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking for breathtaking roadside views or a rugged waterfall hike, Colton Point State Park is a true conservation/reclamation success story, and a gem in the PA State Park system!

Fall foliage views to the south from Colton Point State Park in the PA Grand Canyon.
Fall foliage views to the south from Colton Point State Park in the PA Grand Canyon.

Nearby Attractions

Leonard Harrison State Park is the sister park to Colton Point, and the most popular state park on the eastern rim of the PA Grand Canyon.

Looking out over the Pine Creek Gorge at Leonard Harrison State Park.
Scenic overlook at Leonard Harrison State Park.

Barbour Rock Overlook offers visitors an exceptional view from the west rim of the PA Grand Canyon, just a short hike from a parking area along Colton Road.

Hiking to Barbour Rock Overlook in the PA Grand Canyon.
The author at Barbour Rock Overlook.

Bear Run in Tioga County forms the northeastern border between Colton Point State Park and the Tioga State Forest, and is home to several magnificent, unnamed waterfalls accessed via a 0.6 mile (one-way) off-trail hike.

Springtime waterfalls along Bear Run In the Tioga State Forest.
Springtime waterfalls along Bear Run in the Tioga State Forest.

Bradley Wales Scenic View is an marvelous roadside vista, 11 miles south of Colton Point State Park, on the west rim of the PA Grand Canyon.

Looking north from the Bradley Wales Overlook in the PA Grand Canyon.
Looking north from the Bradley Wales Overlook in the PA Grand Canyon.

Chimney Hollow Falls, located on the western side of the Pine Creek Gorge, just a few miles north of Colton Point, is one of the tallest waterfalls in the PA Grand Canyon.

Chimney Hollow Falls after heavy rains.
Chimney Hollow Falls after heavy rains.

The 10 Best Roadside Attractions Near Wellsboro will introduce you to some excellent points of interest near Wellsboro, one of the most popular tourist towns in the PA Grand Canyon.

The Middle Ridge UMC Church outside Wellsboro.
The Middle Ridge UMC Church outside Wellsboro.

Hills Creek State Park spans 407 acres of natural splendor in Tioga County, and offers a plethora of outdoor activities.

A collage of four photos showcasing various scenes from Hills Creek State Park in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Top left: A view over a green hillside to a tranquil lake surrounded by forested hills under a cloudy sky. Top right: The start of the "Lakeside Trail" marked by a wooden signpost beside the lake, with tall pines framing the path. Bottom left: The park's entrance sign set on a stone base, displaying the name "HILLS CREEK STATE PARK" and surrounded by trees with fall foliage. Bottom right: A picnic area with a wooden table and colorful kayaks beside the calm lake, with autumn trees reflecting in the water and a cloudy sky above. Each image captures the natural beauty and recreational opportunities the park offers throughout the seasons.
Scenes from Hills Creek State Park.

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
The author at Amphitheater Falls in PA Grand Canyon.

The Historic Penn Wells Hotel in Wellsboro is a great place to stay when visiting Colton Point State Park.

Spending the night at the Penn Wells Hotel in Wellsboro Pennsylvania.
Scenes from the Penn Wells Hotel.

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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.