Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!

In 2006, we stayed in a cozy cabin on the banks of Pine Creek at at Rough Cut Lodge. he sound of rushing water outside our window set the tone for a peaceful getaway. The lodge gave us a comfortable base to explore Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, as many people call Pine Creek Gorge.

Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon➤

Pine Creek Gorge stretches 47 miles through the mountains of northern Pennsylvania. Over thousands of years, Pine Creek carved this deep canyon through layers of rock and forest. It drops about 1,450 feet at its southern end and 800 feet near the charming town of Wellsboro, where we stayed.

The National Park Service recognized Pine Creek Gorge as a National Natural Landmark in 1968, calling it “one of the finest examples of a deep gorge in the eastern United States.” Today, Pennsylvania manages the land as part of Colton Point State Park, Leonard Harrison State Park, and Tioga State Forest.

Wagon Ride➤

We began our adventure with a covered wagon ride through the canyon. Sitting under the canvas canopy, we listened to the steady clip-clop of the horses along the old railroad bed. Our guide shared stories about Pine Creek Gorge’s past, helping us picture the wild landscape that early settlers encountered.

In the early 1800s, loggers cut vast stretches of forest to supply timber for shipbuilding along the East Coast. The tall, straight pines made ideal ship masts. Workers built a railroad beside Pine Creek to move the lumber efficiently. That same route became the Pine Creek Rail Trail in 1996, now popular with cyclists and hikers.

By the early 1900s, the old-growth forest had vanished. Fires swept through the area, burning what little remained and leaving the slopes bare and unstable. Landslides followed until conservation efforts began to heal the land. Over time, new forests grew, wildlife returned, and the gorge once again thrived with life.

Leonard Harrison State Park➤

To see the canyon from above, we drove to Leonard Harrison State Park on the east rim. After exploring the visitor center, we climbed the short but steep Overlook Trail. The ascent rewarded us with wide, breathtaking views of the gorge below.

From the top, we watched Pine Creek wind through the forest far beneath us. The layered cliffs glowed gold and green in the afternoon light. Standing there, we felt grateful to witness a landscape that had endured so much and recovered with such beauty.

Location: 4797 PA-660, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
Designation: National Natural Landmark
Date designated/established: April 1968
Date of my visit: August 7, 2006