Exploring David’s Vista near State College

A collage showcasing four seasonal views at David's Vista along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania: a summer scene with rocky terrain and vibrant green foliage under a blue sky; a snowy winter landscape with frosted evergreens and a dramatic sky; a spring view with blooming trees and expansive rolling hills; and a close-up of the wooden "David's Vista" sign mounted on a tree amidst lush greenery.

If you’re looking for information about hiking to David’s Vista near State College, you’re in the right place!

A stunning summer view from David's Vista along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, featuring a foreground of rugged rocks, lush green trees, and a distant landscape of rolling hills and ridges under a clear blue sky with scattered fluffy clouds in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

David’s Vista is a spectacular southwest-facing scenic overlook in the Huntingdon County portion of the Rothrock State Forest.

A detailed map showing the route to David's Vista along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. The map highlights Jo Hays Vista parking, the location of radio towers, and the trail leading to David's Vista, marked with a dotted yellow line. Elevation lines and nearby trails, such as the Bucksaw Trail and Deer Pen Trail, are also visible, providing context to the surrounding area.

David’s Vista is easily accessed via a relatively-flat, 0.7 mile hike along the Jackson Trail.

A wooden signpost marking the Jackson Trail and Mid State Trail at a trailhead surrounded by lush green ferns and vegetation, with a gravel path extending into the forest under a bright summer sky, located near David's Vista in Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

And since the trailhead parking is located right along Route 26, adjacent to Jo Hays Vista, you can access the Jackson Trail and David’s Vista any time of year, even in the dead of winter when other trailheads and vistas are tough to reach because of snow and ice.

A snowy hillside with scattered rocks and frosted trees overlooking a vast forested valley, with distant ridges stretching under a clear blue sky adorned with soft, wispy clouds, captured at or near David's Vista along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

Directions to the Trailhead

As mentioned above, you’ll find the Jo Hays Vista parking area located on the west side of Route 26, at the very top of Pine Grove Mountain, roughly 7 miles south of downtown State College.


Look for the large pull-off/parking area pictured below.

A winter scene at the Jo Hays Vista parking area along Route 26 in Rothrock State Forest, featuring a red truck parked near an informational sign, snow-dusted ground, radio towers in the background, and a cloudy sky overhead, with distant ridges visible through the trees.

The overlook at the parking area is named in honor of a former State Senator.

A wooden sign at Jo Hays Vista in Rothrock State Forest, surrounded by lush green foliage, commemorating former State Senator Jo Hays for his efforts in establishing the site, with a note about the site proclamation sponsored by State Senator J. Doyle Corman Jr. on October 29, 1984.

At the northeastern edge of the parking area/overlook you’ll find a bench and some informational signage pertaining to the Rothrock State Forest.

A scenic summertime view from Jo Hays Vista in Rothrock State Forest, featuring a wooden bench overlooking a lush green valley, distant ridges, and the town of State College, Pennsylvania, with an informational sign about the area on the left and a bright blue sky above.

The view from Jo Hays Vista is of State College and the ridges beyond.

A vibrant summer view from Jo Hays Vista in Rothrock State Forest, showcasing a panoramic landscape of lush green forests, open fields, and the distant town of State College, Pennsylvania, with mountain ridges and a bright blue sky filled with scattered clouds in the background.

Hiking to David’s Vista

The hike to David’s Vista starts on the other side of Route 26, opposite the parking area.

A gated gravel path near the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, marked with a yellow-and-black barrier labeled "WD-06," surrounded by dense green foliage under a bright summer sky, located near David's Vista in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

Walk around the black-and-yellow gate pictured above, and proceed along the gravel road, where you’ll see the Jackson Trail marker just a few yards ahead.

A snow-covered wooden sign marking the Jackson Trail and Mid State Trail amidst a tranquil winter landscape, with a snowy path flanked by frosted vegetation and bare trees, leading into the foggy distance near David's Vista in Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

Continue on the gravel road for 300 yards, passing several communications towers along the way.

A tall communication tower with multiple satellite dishes and antennas, set against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, surrounded by lush green trees near David's Vista along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

After you’ve passed the final communications tower, the trail changes from gravel road to a rocky footpath, which is how it will remain until you reach David’s Vista.

A rocky forest path on the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, surrounded by tall, slender trees with vibrant green summer foliage, creating a peaceful and shaded natural setting near David's Vista in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

There is very little elevation change to this hike (less than 60 feet), but some folks might find the rockiness of the trail challenging, so consider yourself forewarned.

A snowy woodland scene along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, with tall, slender trees coated in fresh snow and a rocky path winding through the serene forest near David's Vista in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. A yellow trail blaze marks one of the tree trunks.

The trail is yellow-blazed and well-worn, so getting lost on this hike is highly unlikely.

A shaded forest trail near David's Vista along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, featuring a rocky path surrounded by tall, leafy trees with vibrant green foliage and a yellow trail blaze marking one of the trunks in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

There are a few partial views along the way, though nothing nearly as impressive as David’s Vista itself.

A winter view near David's Vista along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, featuring snow-covered ground and frosted tree branches framing a distant landscape of farmlands and open fields under a vivid blue sky with wispy clouds in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

After hiking 0.7 miles, you’ll reach David’s Vista on the edge of a grove of pines, at GPS coordinates 40.72172, -77.88182.

A wooden sign mounted on a tree marking "David's Vista" and commemorating David Kaufman (1923–1997), surrounded by lush green foliage on a sunny day near the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

Exploring David’s Vista

David’s Vista offers breathtaking views of the Rothrock State Forests’ rolling ridges and dense forests, making it a must-see destination for nature lovers.

A wide-angle summer view from David's Vista along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, featuring a rocky slope surrounded by dense green forests and offering a breathtaking panorama of rolling hills and distant ridges under a bright blue sky with scattered fluffy clouds in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

The scenery transforms with each season, from vibrant greens in the summer to fiery foliage in the fall, but the winter truly stands out with its frosted trees and snow-blanketed landscape.

A stunning winter view from David's Vista featuring a snow-covered landscape with scattered rocks and frosted evergreens, overlooking a vast valley and distant ridges under a vivid blue sky streaked with dramatic, wispy clouds, located along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

The rocky outcrop at the vista provides an expansive panorama that captures the peaceful beauty of the forest.

A rocky outcrop at David's Vista along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, surrounded by dense green forests and offering a panoramic view of rolling hills under a bright blue sky with scattered fluffy clouds in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

Even though David’s Vista is relatively close to “civilization”, it still feels remote and wild, especially in the winter.

Snow-dusted rocky terrain framed by evergreen branches at David's Vista, offering a sweeping winter view of a forested valley and distant ridges under a moody, cloud-filled sky along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

It truly is one of the natural gems of the Rothrock State Forest, and it’s a hike I recommend to anyone looking for a relatively easy scenic overlook hike near State College.

A rocky outcrop surrounded by vibrant green trees with hints of spring foliage, offering a clear and expansive view of rolling forested hills beneath a bright blue sky scattered with fluffy white clouds along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

When you’ve had your fill of David’s Vista, simply retrace your steps back to the parking area along Route 26.

A winter landscape featuring snow-covered rocks and icy terrain, with evergreen trees framing a panoramic view of forested ridges and valleys under a sky streaked with thin, wispy clouds, captured at or near David's Vista along the Jackson Trail in Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

Nearby Attractions

The 5 Best Scenic Overlooks Near State College is your guide to several other nearby scenic overlooks.

Beaver Stadium as viewed from the MIke Lynch Overlook.
Beaver Stadium as viewed from the Mike Lynch Overlook.

The 6 Best State Parks Near State College is your guide to more awesome outdoor adventures in Happy Valley.

Sunset at Black Moshannon State Park as viewed from a kayak.

33 Must-See Attractions in Centre County is an interactive guide to more local hotspots, both natural and manmade.

The best things to see and do in Centre County PA.

24 Must-See Attractions in Huntingdon County highlights the best things to see and do in the region immediately south of David’s Vista.

The best things to see and do in Huntingdon County PA.

Find even more great spots to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!


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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.