The 15 Best Scenic Overlooks in Huntingdon County

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

Perhaps best known for being the location of Pennsylvania’s largest lake (Lake Raystown), Huntingdon County is also home to an impressive number of unforgettable scenic overlooks!

Lake Raystown in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Lake Raystown in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

What follows is a list of 15 of the best scenic overlooks in Huntingdon County, along with directions to each vista.

Incredible view from Indian Lookout in Huntingdon County.
The incredible view from Indian Lookout in Huntingdon County.

Simply click on the blue text links to view more information about each of the Huntingdon County scenic overlooks mentioned below.

Stone Valley Vista facing west along the Standing Stone Trail in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Stone Valley Vista in Huntingdon County.

1. Ledges Trail Overlook

Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County is home to a pair of superb scenic overlooks, both of them located along the Ledges Trail.

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 at Trough Creek State Park.

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

An autumn scene at the Ledges Trail Overlook at Trough Creek State Park.
An autumn scene at the Ledges Trail Overlook at Trough Creek State Park.

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.

2. Rainbow Falls Overlook

Also located along the Ledges Trail at Trough Creek State Park, Rainbow Falls Overlook is located high above one of the park’s most famous attractions, Rainbow Falls.

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

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.

3. Hawn’s Overlook

Hawn’s Overlook is one of four scenic overlooks situated near Lake Raystown.

Observation area at Hawn's Overlook above Raystown Lake.

Hawn’s Overlook requires a short hike down a 300 yard long (and basically flat) crushed gravel path to the view.

View from Hawn's Overlook at Raystown Lake.
View from Hawn’s Overlook at Raystown Lake.

The GPS coordinates for Hawn’s Overlook are 40.42973, -78.01895.

Map of the scenic overlooks near Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania
Map of the scenic overlooks near Raystown Lake.

4. Ridenour Overlook

Ridenour Overlook at Lake Raystown offers sweeping views of the Raystown Dam and the Juniata River Valley downstream.

The view from Ridenour Overlook at Raystown Lake.
The view from Ridenour Overlook at Raystown Lake.

Ridenour Overlook is located at GPS coordinates 40.43144, -78.01685 and is basically a roadside vista off of a paved road and circular parking area (the same parking area used to access Hawn’s Overlook).

Historical marker at Ridenour Overlook near Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Historical marker at Ridenour Overlook near Raystown Lake.

5. Raystown Dam Overlook

While this view is from below rather than above, the scene is no less remarkable from the Raystown Dam Overlook.

View from the Raystown Dam Overlook in Huntingdon County PA
View from the Raystown Dam Overlook.

The Raystown Dam Overlook is located along River Road at GPS coordinates 40.43285, -77.99930.

The Raystown Dam Overlook in Huntingdon County.
The Raystown Dam Overlook in Huntingdon County.

6. Raystown Pagoda Overlook

The Raystown Pagoa Overlook is accessed via Raystown Dam Road, which passes directly below the breast of the dam.

The overlook is located at GPS coordinates 40.43073, -78.00735

The Raystown Pagoda at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County PA.
The Raystown Pagoda at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County.

This is one of the more unique pavilions and overlooks you’ll find in Pennsylvania.

View from the Raystown Pagoda at Raystown Lake.
View from the Raystown Pagoda at Raystown Lake.

The Raystown Pagoda offers shade from the sun or shelter from the rain, while providing an outstanding view of Raystown Lake.

Inside the Raystown Pagoda at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County.
Inside the Raystown Pagoda at Raystown Lake.

7. Canoe Mountain Vista

Canoe Mountain Vista is one of three scenic overlooks located along Colerain Road in the Rothrock State Forest.

How to find Indian Lookout Vista in the Rothrock State Forest.
How to find Canoe Mountain Vista, Indian Lookout Vista, and Colerain Road Vista in the Rothrock State Forest.

Canoe Mountain Vista offers a northwestern view of Canoe Mountain on the Huntingdon/Blair County line.

Canoe Mountain Vista along Colerain Road in Huntingdon County PA
Canoe Mountain Vista along Colerain Road in Huntingdon County PA

Canoe Mountain Vista is located along Colerain Road at GPS coordinates 40.61648, -78.12247.

Roadside Canoe Mountain Vista in the Rothrock State Forest.
Roadside Canoe Mountain Vista in the Rothrock State Forest.

8. Indian Lookout Vista

Indian Lookout Vista is located 0.2 miles off of Colerain Road, along the Yellow Arrow Trail.

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

The 180 degree views from Indian Lookout are simply stunning.

Indian Lookout Vista in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania
Indian Lookout Vista in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania

You’ll find Indian Lookout Vista at GPS coordinates 40.62437, -78.10552.

View from Indian Lookout Vista in the Rothrock State Forest.
View from Indian Lookout Vista in the Rothrock State Forest.

9. Colerain Road Vista

Colerain Road Vista is literally roadside!

The roadside Colerain Road Vista in the Rothrock State Forest.
The roadside Colerain Road Vista in the Rothrock State Forest.

You’ll find Colerain Road Vista at GPS coordinates 40.63031, -78.08742, one mile east of the Indian Lookout parking area.

The view from Colerain Road Vista in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
The view from Colerain Road Vista in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.

10. Mapleton Overlook

Mapleton Overlook is one of several scenic overlooks located near the top of the famed 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County.

The 1000 Steps along the Standing Stone Trail in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania..
The 1000 Steps along the Standing Stone Trail in Huntingdon County

Because you literally have to climb 1000 steps (more, actually) to get to the top, Mapleton Overlook is possibly the most challenging to reach of the 12 scenic overlooks mentioned in this write-up.

A section of the 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County.
A section of the 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County.

But what a view!

The wide-angle scene is of Mapleton, the Juniata River, and Routes 22 and 655.

Mapleton Overlook along the Standing Stone Trail in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Mapleton Overlook along the Standing Stone Trail in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania

Zoom in and you might be lucky enough to catch a train passing through Mapleton.

A train passing through Mapleton as viewed from the Mapleton Overlook along the Standing Stone Trail.
A train passing through Mapleton as viewed from the Mapleton Overlook along the Standing Stone Trail in Huntingdon County.

Mapleton Overlook is located along the orange-blazed Standing Stone Trail at GPS coordinates 40.39678, -77.91507.

Parking for the 1000 Steps is along Route 22 at GPS coordinates 40.39169, -77.91420.

Directions to Mapleton Overlook and Mount Union Overlook in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania
Map to Mapleton Overlook and Mount Union Overlook

11. Mount Union Overlook

Also located near the top of the 1000 Steps, but to the east rather than the west, you’ll find the Mount Union Overlook.

Simply follow a blue-blazed trail (remnants of an old railroad bed) 0.3 miles until it dead-ends at the view.

The Mount Union Overlook near the 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County PA
The Mount Union Overlook near the 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County.

Along the way you’ll pass numerous unnamed vistas which are equally impressive.

Looking towards Mapleton from near the top of the 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County.
Looking towards Mapleton from near the top of the 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County.

12. Wampler Road Vista

Wampler Road Vista is located near the Huntingdon/Centre County line in the Rothrock State Forest.

Wampler Road Vista in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania
Wampler Road Vista in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

This roadside overlook can be found at GPS coordinates 40.71374, -77.76478.

Directions to Wampler Road Vista in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania
Map to Wampler Road Vista.

13. Bear Gap Vista

Bear Gap Vista offers you a wide-open western view of the Rothrock State Forest in Huntingdon County.

Bear Gap Road Vista in the Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, PA.
Bear Gap Road Vista in the Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County, PA.

Bear Gap Vista is located roadside at GPS coordinates 40.72780, -77.78994, near the parking area for the Indian Wells Overlook hike.

A map to Indian Wells Overlook along the MId State Trail in the Rothrock State Forest.
How to find Bear Gap Vista in the Rothrock State Forest.

14. 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.

The author at Stone Valley Vista in March 2023.
The author at Stone Valley Vista in March 2023.

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.

A trail map showing the hike 2.2 mile hike from Greenwood Furnace State Park to Stone Valley Vista in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
A trail map showing the hike 2.2 mile hike from Greenwood Furnace State Park to Stone Valley Vista.

15. Sausser’s Stone Pile

Sausser’s Stone Pile is a massive rock formation along the Standing Stone Trail in the Rothrock State Forest, 5 miles south of Stone Valley Vista in Huntingdon County.

Exploring Sausser's Stone Pile in Huntingdon County PA.
The author at Sausser’s Stone Pile along the Standing Stone Trail.

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 Huntingdon-Mifflin County line.

Directions to the Stone Mountain Hawk Watch in the Rothrock State Forest.
Map to Sausser’s Sone Pile in the Rothrock State Forest.

So there you have it – 15 of the best scenic overlooks in Huntingdon County!

A view from near the top of the 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
A view from near the top of the 1000 Steps in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

And while this is by no means a complete list of ALL the marvelous overlooks Huntingdon County has to offer, it will put you well on your way towards exploring a multitude of vistas with varying degrees of difficulty.


If scenic overlooks are your passion, be sure to check out 77 of the Best Scenic Overlooks in PA for directions to the finest views in all of Pennsylvania!

Hikers taking on the view at Hyner Run State Park.
Hikers taking on the view at Hyner Run State Park.

Nearby Attractions

“The 13 Best Scenic Overlooks in Centre County” will introduce you to some of the finest views in neighboring Centre County.

Chocolate Drop Vista sign along Pine Swamp Road in the Bald Eagle State Forest.
Chocolate Drop Vista sign along Pine Swamp Road in the Bald Eagle State Forest.

Exploring Cowans Gap State Park in Fulton County will show you the highlights of this superb state park in neighboring Fulton County.

A fisherman at Cowans Gap State Park.
Fishing at Cownas Gap State Park in Fulton County.

Exploring Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County will introduce you to the best things to see and do at this fantastic Huntingdon County destination.

Trough Creek in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.
Great Trough Creek at Trough Creek State Park.

“Exploring the Scenic Overlooks at Chimney Rocks Park in Blair County” will introduce you to 3 impressive vistas in this adjacent county.

Fall foliage at Chimney Rocks Park in Blair County.
Chimney Rocks Overlook in Blair County.

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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.