14 Must-See Attractions in Potter County

The best things to do in Potter County Pennsylvania.

If you’re looking for the best things to see and do in Potter County, you’re in the right place!

A map showing the location of Potter County in Pennsylvania.
A map showing the location of Potter County in Pennsylvania.

The county was formed in 1804 and is named after James Potter, a Continental Army general from Pennsylvania during the American Revolution.

Potter County historical marker near the county courthouse in Coudersport.
Potter County historical marker near the county courthouse in Coudersport.

Because of it’s rugged natural beauty and ample outdoor attractions, Potter County is often referred to as “God’s Country”.

Welcome to God's Country sign at the Potter - Cameron county line near Sinnemahoning State Park.
“Welcome to God’s Country” sign at the Potter/Cameron county line, near Sinnemahoning State Park.

From state parks and state forests to museums and historic ruins, here are 14 of the best things to see and do in Potter County, Pennsylvania!

Exhibit hall at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County PA.
Entrance to the exhibit hall at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County.

1. Cherry Springs State Park

You’ll find the darkest skies east of the Mississippi at Cherry Springs State Park, which makes the 82-acre Potter County park a magnet for casual stargazers and serious astronomers alike.

A close-up of the core of the Milky Way.
Cherry Springs State Park is an International Dark Sky Park.

Featuring several observation fields, Cherry Springs State Park offers great views of the Milky Way, the planets, and other astronomical objects and phenomena not normally visible in Pennsylvania due to light pollution.

Galaxy Avenue on the star gazing field at Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County Pennsylvania.
Galaxy Avenue on the astronomers field at Cherry Springs State Park.

2. Lyman Run State Park

Lyman Run State Park is a 595-acre park located in northern Potter County.

Exploring Lyman Run State Park in Potter County Pennsylvania.
Scenes from Lyman Run State Park.

At the heart of the park is Lyman Run Lake, a 45-acre man-made lake used for swimming, fishing, and boating.

Fall foliage reflections on Lyman Run Lake in Potter County.
Fall foliage reflections on Lyman Run Lake in Potter County.

3. Cherry Springs Vista

Located just 2 miles southeast of the Cherry Springs State Park, Cherry Springs Vista is a terrific roadside overlook along Route 44, AKA “The Highway to the Stars”.

Cherry Springs Vista along Route 44 in Potter County Pennsylvania.
Cherry Springs Vista along Route 44.

If navigating by GPS, you’ll find Cherry Springs Vista at coordinates 41.64538, -77.79962.

Cherry Springs Vista is an excellent daytime attraction just a few minutes southeast of Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County Pennsylvania.
Cherry Springs Vista is located just a few minutes southeast of Cherry Springs State Park.

4. Boone Run Vista

Boone Run Vista is a roadside scenic overlook located 2.4 miles from Cherry Springs State Park, along Junction Road.

Boone Run Vista on an October afternoon in Potter County Pennsylvania.
Boone Run Vista on an October afternoon in Potter County.

If navigating by GPS, you’ll find Boone Run Vista at coordinates 41.63511, -77.81436.

Bright red staghorn sumac at Boone Run Vista in Potter County PA.
Bright red staghorn sumac at Boone Run Vista.

5. Ole Bull State Park

Ole Bull State Park is named in honor of Ole Bornemann Bull, a famous Norwegian violinist who purchased 11,144 acres in Potter County and attempted to develop a Norwegian colony there that he dubbed “New Norway”.

Exploring Ole Bull State Park in Potter County PA
Scenes from Ole Bull State Park.

Hiking, fishing, swimming, camping, and picnicking are all popular activities at the park.

Looking across Kettle Creek at the beach area at Ole Bull State Park.
Looking across Kettle Creek at the beach and swimming area at Ole Bull State Park.

6. Austin Dam Memorial Park

Austin Dam Memorial Park is a beautiful but sobering destination to explore, with trails meandering through the towering ruins of a breached dam that caused the second-worst flood disaster in Pennsylvania history.

Aerial view of Austin Dam ruins in Potter County Pennsylvania.
The breached remains of Austin Dam in Potter County.

At least 78 people were killed in the flood caused by the dam’s failure, as a wall of water estimated to be 50 feet tall swept down the narrow valley into the small town of Austin a mile downstream.

Roadside historical marker about the Austin Dam Flood.
Roadside historical marker about the Austin Dam Flood.

Austin Dam Memorial Park is located along Route 872 at GPS coordinates 41.65314, -78.08517.

Memorial to the victims of the Austin Dam Flood at Austin Dam Memorial Park.
Memorial to the victims of the Austin Dam Flood at Austin Dam Memorial Park.

7. Bayless Paper Mill Ruins

The abandoned Bayless Paper Mill in Potter County is part of a planned 329 acre park and interpretive center dedicated to telling the story of the paper mill, the dam built to sustain it, and the disastrous 1911 flood that resulted when that dam broke, killing at least 78 people and devastating both the mill and the surrounding town of Austin.

Bayless Paper Mill Historical SIgn along Route 872 in Potter County Pennsylvania.
Bayless Paper Mill Historical Sign along Route 872 in Potter County.

If you’re looking for just a quick glimpse of the Bayless Paper Mill Ruins, then there is a roadside pull-off along Route 872, just north of Austin.

View of the abandoned Bayless Paper Mill from Route 872.
View of the abandoned Bayless Paper Mill from Route 872.

A recently-completed hiking trail, linking the ruins of the Austin Dam to the ruins of the Bayless Paper Mill, is an option for those looking to get a more up-close look at history.

Holes in the floor and ceiling at the Bayless Paper Mill ruins in Potter County.
Holes in the floor and ceiling at the Bayless Paper Mill ruins – this is strictly “Explore at Your Own Risk”!

8. Water Tank Vista

Water Tank Vista is located roadside along Route 44, just 3.5 miles from Cherry Springs State Park.

Water Tank Vista is a great daytime attraction near Cherry Springs State Park.
Water Tank Vista is a great daytime attraction near Cherry Springs State Park.

If navigating by GPS you’ll find this spectacular roadside vista at coordinates 41.66010, -77.78063.

Water Tank Vista is a roadside scenic overlook just a few minutes east of Cherry Springs State Park.
Water Tank Vista is a roadside scenic overlook in Potter County.

9. The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum

The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum features a beautiful blend of historic artifacts and interactive exhibits related to one of the most important industries in the state in the 19th century.

Exploring the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County.
Scenes from the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum.

Situated along historic Route 6 in the mountains of Potter County, the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum helps visitors understand the history of the lumbering industry in the Keystone State, from the arrival of the first Europeans to the present day.

The lobby of the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum along Route 6 in Potter County PA.
The lobby of the museum.

The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum is located along Route 6 at GPS coordinates 41.77927, -77.82623.

Inside the circular blade sawmill at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County PA.
Inside the circular blade sawmill at the museum.

10. Denton Hill State Park

Denton Hill State Park is located directly across Route 6 from the aforementioned Pennsylvania Lumber Museum.

Denton Hill State Park entrance along Route 6 in Potter County.
Denton Hill State Park entrance along Route 6 in Potter County.

Once home to a popular ski resort, the slopes and lodge now sit abandoned.

Ski lift at the abandoned Denton Hill State Park ski resort.
One of the abandoned ski slopes at Denton Hill State Park.

While rumors occasionally swirl that a private company will partner with the state to reopen the resort, as of now it remains an enigmatic and beautifully dystopian spot to explore.

Fall foliage surrounding the abandoned ski lodge at Denton Hill State Park.
Fall foliage surrounding the abandoned ski lodge at Denton Hill State Park.

11. Longtoe Vista

Longtoe Vista is a roadside scenic overlook 6.8 miles northwest of Cherry Springs State Park.

Longtoe Vista is an excellent daytime attraction along Route 44 near Cherry Springs State Park.
Longtoe Vista is an excellent overlook along Route 44 near Cherry Springs State Park.

If navigating by GPS, you’ll find Longtoe Vista along Route 44 at coordinates 41.70989, -77.91442.

Longtoe Vista is an excellent roadside attractions just a few minutes northwest of Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County Pennsylvania.
Longtoe Vista is an excellent roadside attractions just a few minutes northwest of Cherry Springs State Park.

12. Sinnemahoning State Park

Sinnemahoning State Park spans parts of Potter and Cameron counties, encompassing 1,910 acres of magnificent scenery and outstanding wildlife habitat on both sides of First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek.

Fall foliage starting to appear around the Stevenson Dam at Sinnemahoning State Park on October 12th, 2021.
Stevenson Dam at Sinnemahoning State Park.

Access to the park is from Route 872 at various entrances along this north-south highway, with the closest small towns being Sinnemahoning to the south and Austin to the north.

Boating at Sinnemahoning State Park.
Boating at Sinnemahoning State Park.

13. Pine Hill Summit Vista

Pine Hill Summit Vista is a roadside overlook and picnic area along Route 44 in Potter County.

Pine Hill Summit is a scenic overlook with a small picnic area along Route 44 in east of Cherry Springs State Park.
Pine Hill Summit is a scenic overlook with a small picnic area along Route 44 in east of Cherry Springs State Park.

If navigating by GPS, use coordinates 41.55539, -77.64796 to locate Pine Hill Summit Vista.

Pine Hill Summit Vista sits at an elevation of 2175 feet above sea level in Potter County Pennsylvania.
Pine Hill Summit Vista sits at an elevation of 2175 feet above sea level.

14. Susquehannock State Forest

Susquehannock State Forest derives its name from the Susquehannock tribe that once inhabited Potter County.

A Susquehannock State Forest sign near Boone Run Vista in Potter County Pennsylvania.
The Susquehannock State Forest is located mainly in Potter County, with small portions extending into McKean and Clinton Counties.

It comprises 265,000 acres and contains the Hammersley Wild Area, a 30,253-acre wild area that is the largest area without a road in Pennsylvania.

The view from Pine Hill Summit Vista along Route 44 in Potter County Pennsylvania.
The Susquehannock State Forest as viewed from Pine Hill Summit Vista.

So there you have it – 14 of the best things to see and do in Potter County, Pennsylvania!

Coudersport is the county seat of Potter County Pennsylvania.
Coudersport Theatre in the county seat of Potter County.

Nearby Attractions

Kinzua Bridge State Park in neighboring McKean County is home to what was once the longest and tallest railway bridge in the entire world – The Kinzua Viaduct.

Kinzua Bridge skywalk as viewed from one of the viewing platforms.
Kinzua Bridge State Park.

Partially destroyed by a tornado in 2003, the remaining 600 feet of the bridge was reborn as the Kinzua Skywalk in 2011.

Looking out the Kinzua Skywalk towards the observation platform at the north end.
Looking out the Kinzua Skywalk towards the observation platform at the north end.

Colton Point State Park encompasses 368-acres on the west rim of the PA Grand Canyon in neighboring Tioga County.

Exploring Colton Point State Park in the PA Grand Canyon.
Scenic overlook at Colton Point State Park.

Colton Point was named in the late 1800s for Henry Colton, a lumberman who supervised the cutting of white pine on this land while working for the Williamsport Lumber Company.

A summer view of Rexford Branch Falls in the Pine Creek Gorge.
A summer view of Rexford Branch Falls at Colton Point State Park.

Barbour Rock Overlook in Tioga County offers visitors an exceptional view of the natural wonder which is the PA Grand Canyon!

Hiking to Barbour Rock Overlook in the PA Grand Canyon.
The author at Barbour Rock Overlook.

13 Must-See Attractions in Clinton County shows you some of the best things to see and do in Potter County’s neighbor to the south.

The Best Things to Do in Clinton County Pennsylvania
Scenes from Clinton County.

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Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and creator of the PA Bucket List travel blog.