If you’re looking for the best things to see and do in Huntingdon County, you’re in the right place!
The county was formed in 1787 and named in honor of the Countess of Huntingdon.
From scenic overlooks to waterfalls to museums to a historic railroad, here are 20 of the best things to see and do in Huntingdon County, PA!
Simply click on the blue text links for more information about each attraction described below.
1. Visit Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls lies along Abbot Run in the heart of Trough Creek State Park.
A multi-tiered waterfall that looks best after the spring thaw or a hard rain, Rainbow Falls is the most popular waterfall in Huntingdon County.
2. Explore Trough Creek State 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.
Trough Creek State Park has miles of hiking trails, several unique rock formations, picnic and camping areas, and scenic views that rival anything in Pennsylvania.
3. Visit Raystown Lake
Raystown Lake features, among other things, picnic areas, beaches, boat launches, campgrounds, and fishing galore!
It is 27 miles long, 200 feet deep in places, and covers 8,300 acres, making it the largest lake entirely within Pennsylvania’s borders.
4. Hike to Hawn’s Overlook
Hawn’s Overlook is the most famous of four scenic overlooks at Raystown Lake.
The size and magnitude of Raystown Lake becomes readily apparent at Hawn’s Overlook, which is located at the end of a 300 yard-long, relatively flat gravel path.
5. Drive Through Saint Mary’s Covered Bridge
Saint Mary’s Covered Bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.
Saint Mary’s Covered Bridge is located between Shade Gap and Rockhill along Route 522, and is still open to vehicular traffic.
6. Explore Greenwood Furnace State Park
Greenwood Furnace State Park is a 423 acre park 20 miles south of State College in Huntingdon County.
The centerpiece of Greenwood Furnace State Park is the 6 acre Greenwood Lake.
7. Visit the Rockhill Trolley Museum
The Rockhill Trolley Museum in southern Huntingdon County is Pennsylvania’s first operating trolley museum.
“Operating” being the key word, because at the Rockhill Trolley Museum visitors can literally ride antique electric streetcars on a scenic excursion through southern Huntingdon County!
8. Experience Whipple Dam State Park
Whipple Dam State Park is a 256 acre park 12 miles south of State College in Huntingdon County.
The centerpiece of Whipple Dam State Park is the 22 acre Whipple Lake.
9. Hike to Indian Lookout
Indian Lookout in the Rothrock State Forest is one of the most spectacular scenic overlooks in all of central Pennsylvania.
Perched high above the former Colerain State Park (now part of the Rothrock State Forest), an expansive view of Spruce Creek, Canoe Mountain, Brush Mountain, and the distant Bald Eagle Mountain awaits you at at Indian Lookout.
10. Hike the 1000 Steps
The 1000 Steps along the Standing Stone Trail is one of the most famous hikes in Huntingdon County!
The reasons for its fame are many, especially the challenging nature of the hike and the incredible views from the top of the steps.
11. Ride the East Broad Top Railroad
The East Broad Top Railroad offers passenger excursions, shop tours, and visits to the “roundhouse” where their fleet of six steam engines live.
As the only surviving narrow gauge common carrier railroad east of the Rocky Mountains, the East Broad Top Railroad has officially been a National Historic Landmark since 1964.
12. Explore Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center
Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center is a Penn State owned and operated nature and wildlife learning center, located just 12 miles outside of State College in rural Huntingdon County.
The recently-renovated Aviary at Shaver’s Creek has more than 20 non-releasable birds of prey that live on-site, including many species of owls, hawks, and eagles.
13. Explore Hidden Ruins at Raystown Lake
Exploring Hidden Ruins at Raystown Lake is your guide to discovering the abandoned ruins of roads, bridges, and homes of historical significance, hidden around and beneath the surface of Raystown Lake.
14. Hike the Alan Seeger Trail
The Alan Seeger Trail is a short but beautiful loop hike through the Alan Seeger Natural Area in the Rothrock State Forest.
15. Visit the Isett Heritage Museum
The Isett Heritage Museum houses and displays over 40,000 items from everyday life in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Comprised of 3 large buildings (one of which is a repurposed barn), the Isett Heritage Museum may be the most floor-to-ceiling packed with artifacts museum I’ve ever set foot in!
16. Visit the Swigart Auto Museum
The Swigart Auto Museum in Huntingdon County is the oldest automobile museum in the United States!
The Swigart Auto Museum is open daily from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October.
17. Explore Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks
Lincoln Caverns gives visitors the opportunity to explore an incredibly beautiful world far below the surface of Huntingdon County!
Discovered during the construction of Route 22 in 1930, the Lincoln Caverns tour visits both the original cavern as well as Whisper Rocks cavern, discovered just prior to World War 2 on the hill above Lincoln Caverns.
18. Hike to Sausser’s Stone Pile
Sausser’s Stone Pile is a massive rock formation in the Rothrock State Forest that also happens to be one of the finest scenic overlooks in Huntingdon County!
Sausser’s Stone Pile is located 0.7 miles from a parking area along Allensville Road, at the very top of Stone Mountain, on the Standing Stone Trail.
19. Hike to Stone Valley Vista
Stone Valley Vista is a panoramic scenic overlook located along the Standing Stone Trail, 2.2 miles south of Greenwood Furnace State Park.
At 1,933 feet above sea level, Stone Valley Vista gives you a commanding view of the Rothrock State Forest and surrounding Huntingdon County farmland.
20. Hike the Cliffs Trail
The Cliffs Trail is a 1.3 mile loop hike featuring several exceptional vistas from the rocky cliffs high above the Juniata River.
Nearby Attractions
29 Must-See Attractions in Centre County is your guide to the best things to see and do in Huntingdon County’s neighbor to the north.
16 Must-See Attractions in Blair County is your guide to the best things to see and do in Huntingdon County’s neighbor to the west.
9 Must-See Attractions in Fulton County is your guide to the best things to see and do in Huntingdon County’s neighbor to the south.
The 7 Best Scenic Overlooks in the Buchanan State Forest introduces you to some amazing vistas to the immediate south and west of Huntingdon County.
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