Colton Point State Park encompasses 368-acres on the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge in Tioga County.
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.
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.
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.
If navigating by GPS, use coordinates 41.715039, -77.464682 to find the entrance to the park, 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.
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”.
What you see now is all second-growth forest, planted in large part by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.
The fall foliage views from Colton Point State Park are incredible!
But even before things “leaf out” in the spring, the PA Grand Canyon is still a striking sight to behold.
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.
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.
The Turkey Path at Colton Point State Park is like the more rugged cousin of its counterpart across the gorge.
The trail here is narrower, rockier, and longer as it too makes its way to the bottom of the Pine Creek Gorge.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hills Creek State Park spans 407 acres of natural splendor in Tioga County, and offers a plethora of outdoor activities.
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.
The Historic Penn Wells Hotel in Wellsboro is a great place to stay when visiting Colton Point State Park.
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