Leonard Harrison State Park
Wellsboro, PA
The east rim of Pine Creek Gorge, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, about 800 feet deep here, with overlooks next to the parking lot. The Turkey Path drops steeply to the creek, where a rail trail runs along the bottom.
Leonard Harrison State Park (585 acres, about 240 hectares) in Tioga County sits on the east rim of Pine Creek Gorge, known as the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.” Here the gorge is about 800 feet (240 m) deep and nearly 4,000 feet (1.2 km) across, and it formed roughly 20,000 years ago. The park’s namesake, businessman Leonard Harrison, bought about 121 acres (49 hectares) in 1906 and donated it to Pennsylvania in 1922; from 1933 to 1936 the Civilian Conservation Corps developed the park. Pine Creek Gorge has been a National Natural Landmark since April 1968.
The overlooks are a short walk away, and the Overlook Trail is a path of about 0.6 miles (1 km). The Turkey Path descends more than 800 feet (240 m) to Pine Creek; depending on the source it is 1 to 2 miles (1.6 to 3.2 km) long, and you climb back up the same way. At the bottom, the 63.4-mile (102 km) Pine Creek Rail Trail follows the old railroad grade.
- Nearest town
- Wellsboro, PA
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 41.6965, -77.4540
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Canyon Country CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Leonard Harrison State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Stony Fork Creek CampgroundCampsite6 mi from Leonard Harrison State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Crooked Creek CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Leonard Harrison State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToilets
- Snyder's Family CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Leonard Harrison State ParkTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Twin Streams CampgroundCampsite11 mi from Leonard Harrison State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Pettecote Junction CampgroundCampsite12 mi from Leonard Harrison State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Pennsylvania · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Leonard Harrison State Park?
Leonard Harrison State Park is in Wellsboro, PA, at GPS 41.6965, -77.4540. It is about 10 mi from Galeton.
Can you camp near Leonard Harrison State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Leonard Harrison State Park Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 23 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Leonard Harrison State Park?
Leonard Harrison State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Pennsylvania Wilds: Pine Creek Gorge, dark skies and Kinzua and Gorge, starry skies and elk – by camper through the Pennsylvania Wilds.
What is there to see near Leonard Harrison State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Cherry Springs State Park (19 mi), Corning Museum of Glass (37 mi), Watkins Glen gorge (55 mi) and Kinzua Bridge State Park (59 mi).
When is the best time to visit Leonard Harrison State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)