PA Scenic Overlooks

Exploring Harry’s Valley Vista in Huntingdon County

Collage of four autumn landscapes from Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, featuring sweeping mountain and valley views, vibrant fall foliage, rocky slopes, and a hiker in orange admiring the panoramic scenery beneath dramatic clouds and bright blue skies.

Harry’s Valley Vista in Huntingdon County is a stunning roadside overlook in the Rothrock State Forest, offering sweeping views of the surrounding ridges and valleys.

Scenic autumn view to the southwest from Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, highlighting rocky slopes, vibrant fall foliage, and layers of forested ridges extending toward the distant mountains under a dramatic sky.

Nearby trails provide access to several additional scenic overlooks, making it easy to turn a quick visit into a longer hiking adventure.

Autumn view from an unnamed vista along the Mid State Trail near the Indian Steps Trail and Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, overlooking rolling farmland, forested hills, and distant blue mountains under a clear sky.

In the sections that follow, I’ll outline three ways to explore the area – by simply driving to Harry’s Valley Vista, taking a short 2-mile out-and-back hike, or tackling a 4-mile loop that connects multiple trails and trailside vistas.

Rocky overlook along the Pump Station Trail near Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, showcasing colorful autumn trees and layered mountain ridges stretching into the distance under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Driving to Harry’s Valley Vista

The easiest way to experience Harry’s Valley Vista is by driving directly to it, as this gorgeous overlook sits conveniently along Pennsylvania Furnace Road at GPS coordinates 40.68313, -77.96719.

Visitors will find a small pull-off area right beside the vista, as well as additional parking at the crest of the ridge, just a few yards up the road.

Scenic gravel pull-off at Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, offering sweeping views of rolling forested ridges and distant mountain ranges under a clear blue autumn sky.

From the overlook, you’ll enjoy sweeping views to the south and west across Harry’s Valley and the rugged expanse of Rothrock State Forest.

Expansive autumn panorama from Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, featuring a rocky slope in the foreground, colorful forested ridges stretching into the distance, and dramatic clouds casting shadows across the landscape.

The layered ridges, rolling forests, and distant farmland create a quintessential central Pennsylvania mountain panorama, especially striking during fall foliage season.

Sweeping autumn view to the south from Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, showcasing colorful ridges, distant farmland, and layers of mountains beneath dramatic clouds and patches of blue sky.

Keep in mind that Pennsylvania Furnace Road is a “No Winter Maintenance” route, so access during snowy or icy conditions may not be possible.

Magnified autumn view from Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, showing layers of forested ridges and rounded mountains fading into the hazy blue distance under a clear sky.

The Out-and-Back Hike to Harry’s Valley Vista

For those looking to stretch their legs, the 2-mile out-and-back hike (illustrated as blue dashed line on map below) to Harry’s Valley Vista via the Pump Station Trail is a rewarding option.

Map showing the Pump Station Trail near Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, highlighting scenic overlooks including Fire Tower Vista, unnamed vistas, and Harry’s Valley Vista, along with trail routes, parking areas, and nearby roads.

Parking is available just off Harry’s Valley Road at GPS coordinates 40.6871, -77.94472, at a large clearing once used for logging operations.

Red pickup truck parked at the Pump Station Trail parking area along Harry’s Valley Road in Rothrock State Forest, surrounded by tall trees showcasing peak autumn colors under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

The route follows a steady uphill grade all the way to the vista, but the tread is relatively smooth since the trail doubles as a snowmobile route in the winter.

Lower portion of the Pump Station Trail near Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, featuring a narrow grassy path lined with colorful autumn trees beneath a partly cloudy blue sky.

About halfway to Harry’s Valley Vista, you’ll encounter a pair of scenic overlooks that offer sweeping, south-facing views across the valleys and ridges of Rothrock State Forest.

Hiker in an orange jacket standing on a rocky slope at a vista along the Pump Station Trail near Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, overlooking a vast expanse of colorful autumn foliage and distant blue ridges under a bright sky.

Both are well worth a stop to take in the sights before continuing on to the main overlook.

Moss-covered rocks overlooking an autumn forest along the Pump Station Trail near Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, with colorful foliage and distant blue ridges visible through the trees under a bright sky.

The trail itself is exceptionally picturesque, especially in the fall when the forest is alive with color and the leaf-covered path glows in the afternoon light.

Leaf-covered path along the upper portion of the Pump Station Trail near Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, surrounded by colorful autumn trees arching over the trail on a crisp fall day.

The Loop Hike to Harry’s Valley Vista

The 4-mile loop hike to Harry’s Valley Vista (illustrated as blue dashed line on map below) combines the Indian Steps Trail, Mid State Trail, and Pump Station Trail into a rugged and highly scenic adventure.

Map showing the Indian Steps Trail loop near Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, highlighting the Mid State Trail, Pump Station Trail, and multiple scenic overlooks including Fire Tower Vista, unnamed vistas, and Harry’s Valley Vista, with parking areas and route markers clearly labeled.

Parking is available along Harry’s Valley Road at GPS coordinates 40.69082, -77.93572.

Red pickup truck parked along Harry’s Valley Road near the Indian Steps Trail in Rothrock State Forest, surrounded by tall trees with colorful autumn foliage under a clear blue sky.

Beginning on the Indian Steps Trail, hikers face a steep, rocky climb that gains roughly 600 feet of elevation, making it the most challenging portion of the loop.

Stone steps climbing through a rocky slope along the Indian Steps Trail near Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, surrounded by autumn leaves and trees under a bright blue sky.

Once atop the ridge, the Mid State Trail offers a rocky but relatively level trek, passing several smaller vistas with beautiful south and west-facing views across Rothrock State Forest.

Rocky overlook along the Mid State Trail near Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, offering a sweeping view of rolling ridges and valleys framed by autumn foliage under a clear blue sky.

Near Harry’s Valley Vista, you’ll come across the remains of an old fire tower.

A grassy clearing along the Mid State Trail near Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, featuring the stone foundation remains of a former fire tower surrounded by colorful autumn foliage and scattered trees under a partly cloudy sky.

For those that seek them out, there’s also a U.S. Geological Survey marker embedded in the footpad of the old fire tower, marking the high point of the ridge.

Close-up of a 1961 U.S. Geological Survey benchmark located near the remains of the old fire tower close to Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, showing an elevation of 2,238 feet above sea level engraved on the metal marker.

Just south of the tower site lies Fire Tower Vista, another outstanding overlook that’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.

Expansive autumn view from Fire Tower Vista along the Mid State Trail in Rothrock State Forest, overlooking layers of forested ridges, rolling farmland, and distant mountains beneath a dramatic sky filled with sunlit clouds.

Completing the loop via the Pump Station Trail brings you past Harry’s Valley Vista itself and several additional overlooks, rewarding hikers with no fewer than six scenic viewpoints along this breathtaking route.

Breathtaking autumn view to the west from Harry’s Valley Vista in Rothrock State Forest, featuring rocky outcrops, colorful foliage, and rolling ridges fading into the distance beneath a mix of bright sunlight and dramatic clouds.

If scenic overlooks are your thing, be sure to check out my interactive PA Scenic Overlooks map below, featuring directions to over 160 scenic overlooks in the Keystone State that I’ve personally visited and written about!

Nearby Attractions

25 Must-See Attractions in Huntingdon County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near Harry’s Valley Vista.

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

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