Exploring County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest

How to find County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest.

If you’re looking for directions to County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest, you’re in the right place!

How to find County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest in Pennsylvania.
How to find County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest.

County Line Vista is a beautiful scenic overlook along the Somerset-Bedford county line in the Gallitzin State Forest.

The 1/2 mile hike (one-way) to County Line Vista starts in Somerset County near Buffalo Run Road, and ends up in Bedford County, where you have a sweeping 180-degree view of the surrounding countryside.


Getting There

How to Find County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest

  1. Turn off of Route 56 onto Buffalo Road.

    Turn is located at GPS coordinates 40.19909, -78.69821.
    Buffalo Road turn off of Route 56 in the Gallitzin State Forest.

  2. Proceed 1 mile on Buffalo Road.

    Buffalo Road is a relatively smooth gravel state forest road.
    Buffalo Road in the Gallitzin State Forest.

  3. Park at the County Line Trail parking area on right.

    County Line Trail parking area is a large grass lot on your right, located at GPS coordinates 40.20341, -78.68086.
    The County Line Trail parking area along Buffalo Road in the Gallitzin State Forest.

  4. Proceed to the County Line trail head.

    The trailhead is located next to the black and yellow gate at rear of parking area.

    The County Line Trail head along Buffalo Road in the Gallitzin State Forest

  5. Follow the red-blazed County Line Trail for 0.5 miles.

    This is essentially a gated forest road that doubles as a snowmobile trail in the winter.
    County Line Trail in the Gallitzin State Forest.

  6. Arrive at County Line Vista.

    County Line Vista is located at GPS coordinates 40.20812, -78.67510.
    Approaching the viewing platform at County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest.


Enjoying the Views from County Line Vista

County Line Vista looks out over Blair and Bedford counties from an elevation of roughly 2763 ft above sea level.

Looking out over Bedford County from the County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest.
Looking out over Bedford County from the County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest.

To the far left of your field of view is Blue Knob State Park in Blair County.

Looking east out over Bedford County from the Gallitzin State Forest.
Looking towards Blue Knob State Park from the Gallitzin State Forest.

To your right you are looking in the direction of Shawnee State Park in Bedford County.

View from County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest.
View from the overlook.

When you’ve had your fill of County Line Vista, simply retrace your steps a 1/2 mile back to the parking area.

Platform steps at the County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest.
Platform steps at the County Line Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest.

Nearby Attractions

Skyline Drive Vista is a picturesque roadside overlook in the Gallitzin State Forest, on the eastern edge of the PA Laurel Highlands.

How to find the roadside Skyline Drive Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest.
Skyline Drive Vista in the Gallitzin State Forest.

Located just minutes from the County Line Trail parking lot, Skyline Drive Vista is a must-see if you’re already in the area to hike to County Line Vista.

Skyline Drive Vista in Somerset County PA
Skyline Drive Vista in Somerset County, PA.

The Clear Shade Creek Swinging Bridge is a suspension bridge along the John P. Saylor Trail in the Gallitzin State Forest.

The Clear Shade Creek suspension bridge connects the two loops comprising the John P. Saylor Trail in the Gallitzin State Forest.
The Clear Shade Creek suspension bridge connects the two loops comprising the John P. Saylor Trail in the Gallitzin State Forest.

Wolf Rocks is a beautiful geological formation located along the orange-blazed John P. Saylor Trail in the Somerset County portion of the Gallitzin State Forest.

Exploring Wolf Rocks along the John P Saylor Trail in the Gallitzin State Forest.
Scenes from Wolf Rocks in the Gallitzin State Forest.

Located 15 miles south of Skyline Drive Vista you’ll find another amazing vista the site of the former SS Grand View Ship Hotel, once one of the most unique hotels in all the United States!

The view from the site of the former SS Grand View Ship Hotel along the Lincoln Highway.
The view from the site of the former SS Grand View Ship Hotel along the Lincoln Highway.

This iconic hotel and restaurant thrilled travelers along the Lincoln Highway (now Route 30) for nearly six decades, until it closed in the late 1980’s and subsequently burned to the ground in 2001.

Postcard image of the Grand View Point Hotel along the Lincoln Highway.
The SS Grand View Ship Hotel along the Old Lincoln Highway in Bedford County.

Also located nearby along the Lincoln Highway you’ll find the 1806 Old Log Churchthe oldest standing church in Bedford County.

Fall foliage in Bedford County at the 1806 Old Log Church.
The 1806 Old Log Church along the Lincoln Highway in Bedford County.

This spartan house of worship features a “wine glass pulpit”, called such as it resembles that type of drinking vessel.

The tea cup pulpit inside the 1806 Old Log Church in Schellsburg PA.
The tea cup pulpit inside the 1806 Old Log Church in Schellsburg PA.

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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.