Exploring Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County

Exploring Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County PA

If you’re looking for the best things to see and do at Trough Creek State Park, you’re in the right place!

Fall foliage around the suspension bridge at Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Fall foliage around the suspension bridge at the park.

Trough Creek State Park is a spectacular 541-acre gorge formed by Great Trough Creek as it slices through Terrace Mountain on its way towards Raystown Lake.

The view from above Raystown Lake at Hawn's Overlook.
The view from above Raystown Lake at Hawn’s Overlook.

Constructed between 1933 and 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the land that makes up Trough Creek State Park was once home to a grist mill, iron furnaces, a railroad, and timbering operations.

Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad stock certificate.
The Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad once passed through parts of what is now Trough Creek State Park.

Now it is home to miles of hiking trails, several waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and numerous other natural and man-made curiosities that make visiting Trough Creek State Park a MUST if traveling through Huntingdon County!

Trough Creek State Park sign.
Sign near the park entrance in Huntingdon County.

The Best Things to See and Do at Trough Creek State Park

The first three attractions I’ll mention are all conveniently located near one another, and you can consult the official park map for more detailed directions.

Suspension Bridge sign at Trough Creek State Park.
Sign along Trough Creek Drive near the suspension bridge.

The Suspension Bridge over Great Trough Creek

Looking like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, the suspension bridge over Great Trough Creek carries hikers from a parking area along Trough Creek Drive towards Rainbow Falls and Balanced Rock.

The suspension bridge over Trough Creek.
The suspension bridge over Great Trough Creek.

Although it is only 10-15 feet above the creek, there is a good bit of bounce and sway to the bridge as you cross it, so be forewarned if this kind of movement makes you squeamish!

Winter at the suspension bridge over Trough Creek State Park.
Winter at the suspension bridge over Great Trough Creek.

Rainbow Falls

One of the most iconic symbols of Trough Creek State Park is Rainbow Falls.

Rainbow Falls at Trough Creek State Park in early winter.
Rainbow Falls in early winter.

A popular spot year-round, this waterfall does require a good hard rain to really get it going, but if you happen to visit after just such an even, you’re in for quite a show!

Fall foliage at Rainbow Falls in Pennsylvania
Fall foliage at Rainbow Falls in Pennsylvania

Rainbow Falls is located midway between the suspension bridge and the next attraction I’ll mention, Balanced Rock.

Map to Rainbow Falls in Pennsylvania
Map to Rainbow Falls in Pennsylvania

Balanced Rock

A fascinating geologic anomaly caused by thousands of years of erosion, Balanced Rock seems to defy gravity as it hangs above the Trough Creek Gorge.

Rusty Glessner at Balanced Rock in Tough Creek State Park.
The author at Balanced Rock.

Once part of a cliff, Balanced Rock is the last remnant of that layer of bedrock, while the rest of that cliff slid into the gorge created by Great Trough Creek.

History of Balanced Rock at Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania
History of Balanced Rock.

When viewed from the Trough Creek Drive, Balanced Rock seems to levitate above the trees below!

View of Balanced Rock from parking area at Trough Creek State Park.
View of Balanced Rock from parking area along Trough Creek Drive.

While there is certainly a bit of hiking/stair climbing involved to reach Balanced Rock, it’s well worth the effort.

Balanced Rock at Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania
Balanced Rock.

Rainbow Falls Overlook

Located high on the cliff above Rainbow Falls, Rainbow Falls Overlook features a northeasterly view of Horse Knob, and is located at GPS coordinates 40.32162, -78.13125.

Rainbow Falls Overlook along the Ledges Trail at Trough Creek State Park.
Rainbow Falls Overlook along the Ledges Trail.

Both Rainbow Falls Overlook and the next overlook I’ll mention are located along the Ledges Trail (see map below).

Directions to the Ledges Trail Overlook and Rainbow Falls Overlook at Trough Creek State Park.
Map to the Ledges Trail Overlook and Rainbow Falls Overlook.

Ledges Trail Overlook

The Ledges Trail Overlook offers an unobstructed southern view of Round Mountain in the distance.

The Ledges Trail Overlook in Huntingdon County at Trough Creek State Park.
The author at the Ledges Trail Overlook.

The Ledges Trail Overlook is located at GPS cooordinates 40.31953, -78.13003.

The Ledges Trail Overlook in Huntingdon County PA
The Ledges Trail Overlook in Huntingdon County.

Copperas Rocks

Another creation of erosion, Copperas Rocks juts out over Great Trough Creek live a massive stone awning.

Stream-level view of Copperas Rocks at Trough Creek State Park
Stream-level view of Copperas Rocks.

The power of water to carve away seemingly impenetrable stone is described in an informational plaque located near Copperas Rocks.

Origin of Copperas Rocks at at Trough Creek State Park.
Origin of Copperas Rocks.

Every winter, fabulous icicles dangle from Copperas Rocks, high above Great Trough Creek.

Winter at Copperas Rocks in Huntingdon County.
Winter at Copperas Rocks in Huntingdon County.

Copperas Rocks is named for the crystallized ferrous sulfate that forms on the rocks, crystals that were used to dye cloth by early settlers in the area.

Origin of the Copperas Rock name.
Origin of the Copperas Rock name.

A nearby picnic area and the large pool below it make Copperas Rocks a popular summertime spot at Trough Creek State Park.

Fall foliage at Copperas Rocks at Trough Creek State Park.
Copperas Rocks in October.

The Ice Mine at Trough Creek State Park

The Ice Mine is yet another geologic anomaly at Trough Creek State Park.

The Ice Mine at Trough Creek State Park.
The Ice Mine.

While there isn’t a whole lot to see other than a small cave/hole at the bottom of a stairwell (too small to enter but large enough to stick you hand/arm in), feeling the 50 degree air inside the “mine” on a 90 degree day in the summer is certainly an interesting experience!

History of the Ice Mine at Trough Creek State Park.
History of the Ice Mine.

A rectangular structure along Trough Creek Drive protects the Ice Mine from the elements.

Shelter over the Ice Mine at Trough Creek State Park.
Shelter over the Ice Mine.

Great Trough Creek

Great Trough Creek itself is an impressive attraction as it winds serpent-like through the entire park, with many places to pull-off for a picnic on its banks, or just to take in the scenery.

Great Trough Creek at Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County PA
Great Trough Creek in October.

Other Attractions at Trough Creek State Park

As I mentioned at the outset, there are literally MILES of trails at Trough Creek State Park, many connecting to others in the surrounding Rothrock State Forest.

Trail sign at Trough Creek State Park.
Trails at Trough Creek State Park.

There are also numerous small waterfalls along Abbot Run.

Upper Rainbow Falls on Abbot Run in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania
Abbot Run at Trough Creek State Park.

The fall foliage viewing is fantastic at Trough Creek State Park!

Fall foliage at Trough Creek State Park.
Fall foliage at Trough Creek State Park.

In short – there is something for any nature lover to enjoy at Trough Creek State Park, and there are some sights unlike any you may have ever encountered anywhere else!

Balanced Rock at Trough Creek State Park.
Balanced Rock in October.

Nearby Attractions

The 13 Best Scenic Overlooks in Huntingdon County will introduce you to some of the finest scenic overlooks in the surrounding area.

Exploring Indian Lookout in the Rothrock State Forest.
The author at Indian Lookout in Huntingdon County.

Hiking the 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County will introduce you to perhaps the most famous hike in all of Huntingdon County.

Directions to the 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
The 1000 Steps Trailhead along Route 22 in Huntingdon County.

The East Broad Top Railroad offers scenic train rides, shop tours, and visits to the “roundhouse” where their fleet of six historic steam engines live.

The East Broad Top Railroad in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

Exploring Saint Mary’s Covered Bridge in Huntingdon County will introduce youto the lone remaining covered bridge in Huntingdon County.

Saint Mary's Covered Bridge in Huntingdon County, PA
Saint Mary’s Covered Bridge in Huntingdon County, PA

Whipple Dam State Park is a 256 acre recreational area in Huntingdon County, 12 miles south of State College.

Sunrise at Whipple Dam State Park.
Sunrise at Whipple Dam State Park.

Greenwood Furnace State Park is a 423 acre recreational paradise in the mountains of Huntingdon County.

The spillway at Greenwood Furnace State Park on 9.1.2021
The spillway on Greenwood Lake at Greenwood Furnace State Park.

20 Must-See Attractions in Huntingdon County will introduce you to even more recreational opportunities in the area!

Paddleboarding on Whipple Lake.
Paddleboarding on Whipple Lake.

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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.