PA Scenic Overlooks

Exploring the Longfellow Road Vistas in Mifflin County

A collage of four photos from the Longfellow Road Vistas in the Tuscarora State Forest. The top left image features Short Mountain Vista, with a picnic table and a wooden railing overlooking the rolling forested hills. The top right image captures the view from Anderson Gap Vista, showcasing lush green hills with patches of yellow wildflowers in the foreground under a bright blue sky. The bottom left photo shows a red truck parked beside the Anderson Gap Vista sign, with distant mountain ridges visible. The bottom right image is of a wooden sign marking the "Longfellow Road Vistas" with a note indicating the trail is drivable for licensed motor vehicles. These scenic vistas, located in Mifflin County, PA, provide expansive views from either side of Longfellow Road, with Anderson Gap Vista facing northwest and Short Mountain Vista facing southeast.

If you’re looking for information about visiting the Longfellow Road Vistas in Mifflin County, you’re in the right place!

A sweeping view from Short Mountain Vista in the Tuscarora State Forest, showcasing the rolling, forested hills of Blue Mountain stretching into the distance. The foreground is filled with lush greenery and the tops of trees, while branches from a nearby tree frame the view on the right. The sky is bright blue with scattered clouds, and the natural landscape exudes a sense of tranquility and vastness. This southeast-facing viewpoint along Longfellow Road in Mifflin County, PA, is one of two vistas located less than 100 yards apart, with Anderson Gap Vista just across the road. — Short Mountain Vista.

The Longfellow Road Vistas are a pair of adjacent roadside scenic overlooks facing opposite directions on the ridge of Blue Mountain – Short Mountain Vista facing east and Anderson Gap Vista facing west.

View from Short Mountain Vista along the ridge of Blue Mountain in the Tuscarora State Forest, showcasing a vibrant late-summer landscape. The foreground features a stone seat nestled among tall greenery and bright yellow wildflowers, while beyond, the view opens up to a vast expanse of forested ridges. The distant blue hills are framed by a few tall trees on the left, and the scene is bathed in sunlight under a clear sky, creating a tranquil and scenic moment in Mifflin County, PA. — Anderson Gap Vista.

Both provide expansive views of the surrounding forested hills and valleys of the Tuscarora State Forest.

A welcome sign for the Tuscarora State Forest stands at the edge of a tree-lined gravel road, surrounded by lush greenery. The sign, mounted on a stone base, reads "Welcome to Tuscarora State Forest - Managed for Wood, Water, Wildlife and Recreation - PA Bureau of Forestry." A red truck is parked nearby, and sunlight filters through the trees, casting soft shadows on the forest floor. This entrance leads to the scenic vistas along Longfellow Road, where visitors can explore both Anderson Gap Vista and Short Mountain Vista, located just 100 yards apart on opposite sides of the road in Mifflin County, PA.

This peaceful and remote spot is a perfect destination for nature lovers seeking tranquility and great views.

A hiker in a red shirt and khaki pants stands with a walking stick, gazing out over the vast expanse of forested hills at Anderson Gap Vista in the Tuscarora State Forest. The vibrant green trees and bright yellow wildflowers in the foreground contrast with the distant ridges of Blue Mountain. The clear blue sky with a few scattered clouds enhances the panoramic view, creating a peaceful and scenic moment in Mifflin County, PA. The vista offers a stunning perspective facing northwest along Longfellow Road. — The author at Anderson Gap Vista.

Directions to the Longfellow Road Vistas

I accessed the Longfellow Road Vistas from Licking Creek Drive, which runs from near Mifflintown in Juniata County all the way to Mount Union in Huntingdon County.

If navigating by GPS, use coordinates 40.50531, -77.63025 to find the parking area along Longfellow Road, between the two vistas.

A lone red truck is parked in a large gravel parking area along Longfellow Road in the Tuscarora State Forest. The parking area is surrounded by dense green trees, with a few glimpses of distant hills visible through the foliage. The sky above is partly cloudy, creating a serene atmosphere. This spot provides convenient access to the Anderson Gap and Short Mountain vistas, which are located less than 100 yards apart on opposite sides of the road, offering scenic views along the ridge of Blue Mountain in Mifflin County, PA.

Please note: Longfellow Road is considered a “drivable trail”, which means it’s narrower than a typical forest road.

A wooden signpost marks the entrance to Longfellow Road in the Tuscarora State Forest, indicating the location of the vistas along the ridge of Blue Mountain. Below the main sign, another sign provides information about the drivable trail, stating that it is open for use by licensed motor vehicles, with a recommendation for 4-wheel drive due to the lack of regular maintenance. The sign is surrounded by dense greenery, highlighting the forested and natural setting of this scenic route in Mifflin County, PA.

If driving on steep, narrow paths with no guardrails makes you uneasy, you might prefer a less remote option along a wider road, such as Prayer Rock Scenic Overlook, also located in Mifflin County.

A bright red truck is parked along the gravel surface of Longfellow Road in the Tuscarora State Forest. The narrow, tree-lined road winds gently through a densely forested area, with sunlight filtering through the leaves to illuminate patches of the road and surrounding greenery. The peaceful woodland setting provides access to the nearby scenic vistas, Anderson Gap and Short Mountain, which are located less than 100 yards apart along the ridge of Blue Mountain in Mifflin County, PA. — Longfellow Road is classified as a “driveable trail”, narrower than a traditional forest road.

Having said that, I had no issues getting up or down Longfellow Road without the use of 4-wheel drive.

A bright red Toyota Tacoma is parked on a gravel trail along Longfellow Road in the Tuscarora State Forest, surrounded by thick greenery and towering trees. The narrow road, which winds through the shaded forest, provides access to the Anderson Gap and Short Mountain vistas along the ridge of Blue Mountain. Sunlight filters through the canopy above, creating a serene and scenic setting as the road continues to curve gently out of sight in Mifflin County, PA.

Anderson Gap Vista

Anderson Gap Vista, located on the west side of Longfellow Road, offers views of the Juniata River that extend toward Jacks Mountain.

This overlook is literally roadside – no hiking required.

A bright Toyota Tacoma is parked next to a sign for Anderson Gap Vista along Longfellow Road in the Tuscarora State Forest. The sign marks the entrance to the scenic viewpoint, where large boulders and a gravel path lead to a stunning view of the rolling forested hills in the distance. The trees frame the vista, and the blue sky above is clear with a few clouds. The viewpoint, located on the ridge of Blue Mountain, offers a peaceful stop along the road in Mifflin County, PA, with Anderson Gap Vista facing northwest.

It’s a perfect spot to pause and take in the peaceful forest landscape below, especially if you have mobility issues.

Short Mountain Vista

Short Mountain Vista, located just across Longfellow Road, provides a view of East Licking Creek, with the scenery stretching out toward Shade Mountain.

A panoramic view from Anderson Gap Vista in the Tuscarora State Forest, overlooking a vast landscape of rolling, forested hills stretching towards the horizon. The foreground features lush green vegetation and vibrant wildflowers, while the distant ridges of Blue Mountain are visible under a clear blue sky. This northwest-facing viewpoint along Longfellow Road in Mifflin County, PA, offers a serene and picturesque glimpse into the natural beauty of the area, with Short Mountain Vista located just across the road.

A flat, gravel trail roughly 30 yards long leads from east side of Longfellow Road to the overlook.

A wooden sign marked "Short Mtn. Vista" stands at the entrance to a shaded gravel path leading to the scenic overlook at Short Mountain Vista in the Tuscarora State Forest. The path is lined with large rocks and surrounded by dense greenery, creating a peaceful forest setting. This southeast-facing vista is located along Longfellow Road in Mifflin County, PA, and is part of the double vista experience, with Anderson Gap Vista situated just across the road.

This vista includes a picnic table at the overlook, offering a picturesque spot to enjoy lunch while surrounded by nature.

A peaceful picnic area at Short Mountain Vista in the Tuscarora State Forest, featuring a wooden picnic table and a protective railing at the edge of the overlook. The vista offers a southeast-facing view of the expansive, forested hills and ridges of Blue Mountain. The sky is filled with fluffy white clouds against a bright blue backdrop, adding to the serene atmosphere. This scenic spot is located along Longfellow Road in Mifflin County, PA, and is part of the double vista experience, with Anderson Gap Vista situated just across the road.

The wooden railing at the edge adds to the rustic charm of this serene location.

A scenic view from Short Mountain Vista in the Tuscarora State Forest, overlooking a vast expanse of rolling, forested hills stretching into the distance. The overlook is bordered by a wooden railing and stone edge, with greenery surrounding the vista point. The sky is clear with a bright blue hue, highlighting the natural beauty of the landscape. This southeast-facing viewpoint is part of the double vista along Longfellow Road in Mifflin County, PA, with Anderson Gap Vista located just across the road.

The Karl Guss Picnic Area

Just a short drive (4.5 miles) from the vistas is the Karl Guss Picnic Area, a perfect spot to extend your visit.

If navigating by GPS, you find the picnic area along East Licking Creek Drive at coordinates 40.51306, -77.59683.

A wooden sign marks the entrance to the Karl Guss Picnic Area in the Tuscarora State Forest, set atop a stone base along a gravel road. The sign is surrounded by a lush green forest, with trees providing shade and a small creek visible in the background. The peaceful setting invites visitors to enjoy a relaxing outdoor experience in nature, just a short distance from the scenic vistas along Longfellow Road.

The picnic pavilion offers shaded seating with plenty of tables for groups to enjoy a meal.

A large, covered picnic pavilion at the Karl Guss Picnic Area in the Tuscarora State Forest, featuring numerous picnic tables beneath a sturdy roof. The pavilion is surrounded by tall trees, providing shade and a peaceful atmosphere. A gravel pathway leads to and from the pavilion, offering easy access for visitors. The area is well-maintained, with nearby trash bins for convenience. This scenic picnic spot is located near the Longfellow Road vistas, providing a perfect place for visitors to enjoy a meal in the tranquil forest setting.

Nearby, vault-style restrooms provide convenience for visitors, and the creekside views create a peaceful ambiance.

A small waterfall cascades over rocks in a tranquil stream surrounded by tall trees at the Karl Guss Picnic Area in the Tuscarora State Forest. The lush green forest reflects off the calm water, with a wooden footbridge visible in the background, blending seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Logs and rocks frame the stream, adding to the peaceful ambiance of this scenic spot near the Longfellow Road vistas. The area provides a serene escape for visitors looking to enjoy the beauty of nature.

The Glodek Gardens, complete with walking paths, allows you to stroll through blooming wildflowers and enjoy the natural beauty of the Tuscarora State Forest.

A wooden sign reading "Glodek Gardens" stands in front of a vibrant field filled with wildflowers and tall greenery at the Karl Guss Picnic Area in the Tuscarora State Forest. The garden area is surrounded by trees, creating a peaceful and natural setting. Purple and yellow flowers bloom amidst the dense foliage under a partly cloudy sky. This scenic spot is located near the Longfellow Road vistas, offering visitors a chance to enjoy both the beauty of the gardens and the forest's panoramic views.

Final Thoughts

Visiting the Longfellow Road Vistas and Karl Guss Picnic Area is a peaceful escape into nature.

The author at Short Mountain Vista in the Mifflin County portion of the Tuscarora State Forest.

Whether you’re seeking panoramic mountain views or a quiet spot for a picnic, this area has something for everyone.

Roadside overlook at Anderson Gap Vista along Longfellow Road in the Tuscarora State Forest, featuring a scenic view of forested hills and distant mountains. The foreground includes large stone seating along a gravel pathway, surrounded by green plants and bright yellow wildflowers. The expansive forest stretches across the landscape, with a clear blue sky and distant ridges visible on the horizon, creating a peaceful atmosphere in Mifflin County, PA.

It’s a perfect way to spend a day exploring the scenic beauty of central Pennsylvania’s forests.

A narrow, grassy path winds through a vibrant field of wildflowers at the Karl Guss Picnic Area in the Tuscarora State Forest. Tall yellow and purple flowers line the trail, which is surrounded by dense forest on all sides. The trees in the background reach up towards a partly cloudy sky, adding to the peaceful and serene atmosphere. This trail provides a scenic walk through Glodek Gardens, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the beauty of the natural landscape near the Longfellow Road vistas.

Nearby Attractions

11 Must-See Attractions in Mifflin County is your guide to more things to see and do near the Longfellow Road Vistas.

If scenic overlooks are your passion, be sure to check out my guide to over 160 of PA’s best vistas, complete with an interactive map to each one.

A collage of some of the best scenic overlooks in PA.

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

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