Colton Point State Park is on the west side of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, which is 800 feet (240 m) deep and nearly 4,000 feet (1,200 m) across at this location. The park extends from the creek in the bottom of the gorge up to the rim and across part of the plateau to the west.
Colton Point State Park is known for its views of the Pine Creek Gorge, and offers opportunities for picnicking, hiking, fishing and hunting, whitewater boating, and camping. Colton Point is surrounded by Tioga State Forest and its sister park, Leonard Harrison State Park, on the east rim. The park is on a state forest road in Shippen Township 5 miles (8 km) south of U.S. Route 6.
Directions Map to Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Parks (SP) in Pennsylvania. Published by Pennsylvania State Parks.
Colton Point SP
https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/ColtonPointStatePark/Pages/default.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colton_Point_State_Park
Colton Point State Park is on the west side of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, which is 800 feet (240 m) deep and nearly 4,000 feet (1,200 m) across at this location. The park extends from the creek in the bottom of the gorge up to the rim and across part of the plateau to the west.
Colton Point State Park is known for its views of the Pine Creek Gorge, and offers opportunities for picnicking, hiking, fishing and hunting, whitewater boating, and camping. Colton Point is surrounded by Tioga State Forest and its sister park, Leonard Harrison State Park, on the east rim. The park is on a state forest road in Shippen Township 5 miles (8 km) south of U.S. Route 6.
The Grand Canyon
of Pennsylvania
Leonard Harrison and Colton Point state parks are on
opposite sides of Pine Creek Gorge, also called the
“Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.” Many scenic vistas offer
spectacular views into the 800-foot-deep, glacial floodwater-carved canyon. The scenery at these parks is superb
in every season of the year and is especially stunning in late
September through mid-October. The large abundance of
Leonard Harrison State Park
On the east rim of the canyon, the 585-acre Leonard
Harrison State Park has modern facilities, a visitor center,
and the most famous scenic views of the gorge.
GPS DD: Lat. 41.698 Long. -77.45156
Directions
To reach Leonard Harrison State Park on the eastern rim of
the canyon, take PA 660 west from Wellsboro for ten miles.
Recreational Opportunities
CAMPING: flush toilets and hot showers
The campground is open from the second Friday in April
until the third Sunday in October. Rustic toilets, tables, fire
rings, and a sanitary dump station are provided. Some sites
have electricity.
PICNICKING: Picnic tables (seven of which are covered),
charcoal grills, restrooms, drinking water, and trash bins are
available. Schloder Pavilion can be reserved for a fee.
If unreserved, the pavilion is available on a first-come,
first-served basis.
HIKING: See reverse side.
Visitor Center and Gift Shop
The gift shop is open from late mid-April to late
October as visitor center staffing allows. Call the park office
for hours and seasonal changes. A video and educational
displays interpret the area and its wildlife. Water, soda, and
juice vending machines are available from late April to late
October. All proceeds benefit Pennsylvania State Parks.
History
Leonard Harrison State Park
honors Leonard Harrison (18501929) of Wellsboro. Mr. Harrison
was a civic-minded businessman
and banker who contributed
his time, energy, and finances
to the betterment of his home
community. Leonard Harrison
State Park originally consisted of
121 acres and was called “The
Lookout.”
Mr. Harrison owned and
developed the area as a public picnic ground. He gave the
area to the commonwealth in 1922. The park was further
developed by the boys of the Civilian Conservation Corps
(CCC) Camp S-155-PA Darling Run during the mid-1930s.
A bronze monument to the CCC’s achievements is on the
overlook. Additional lands were added to the park in the
late 1940s.
deciduous hardwood trees display beautiful autumn shades
of yellow, orange, red, and purple. Pockets of evergreen trees
provide a dash of green year round.
Pine Creek Gorge begins just south of Ansonia, along
US 6 and continues south for about 47 miles. At its deepest
point, the gorge is 1,450 feet deep and nearly one mile wide.
At Leonard Harrison and Colton Point state parks, the depth
of the gorge is about 800 feet and these parks have the most
spectacular scenic overlooks.
Colton Point State Park
On the west rim of the canyon, the 368-acre Colton Point
State Park resonates with the rustic charm of the Civilian
Conservation Corps era of the 1930s. The rugged overlooks
offer great views of the gorge.
GPS DD: Lat. 41.70824 Long. -77.4553
Directions
From US 6 near Ansonia, follow Colton Road south for
five miles.
Recreational Opportunities
CAMPING: rustic sites
The campground is open from the second Friday in April
until the third Sunday in October. Rustic toilets, picnic tables,
and fire rings are provided. Campsites at Colton Point are not
reservable but are available first-come, first-served.
PICNICKING: Picnic tables are available for year-round
use. There are also five reservable pavilions throughout the
park. Three of the pavilions have fireplaces.
ORGANIZED GROUP TENTING: Qualified adult or
youth groups may rent one of the three, 30-person capacity
areas, from the second Friday in April to the third Sunday
in October, weather permitting. The camp is equipped with
picnic tables. Advance reservations are required. This area is
rustic in nature and so vehicles are prohibited in the
camping area.
SNOWMOBILING: Registered snowmobiles may use the
trail network on state forest land daily after the close of the
deer season in December. The park provides parking, picnic
tables, and restrooms.
ATVs are not considered snowmobiles.
HIKING: See reverse side.
History
Colton Point was named in the late 1800s for Henry Colton, a
lumberman who supervised harvesting trees in the area. Logs
were floated down Pine Creek to sawmills in Williamsport.
The park was established from state forest lands purchased in
the early 1900s.
Colton Point State Park was developed by the boys of
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp S-91-PA Watrous,
from 1933 to 1936. The park opened to
the public in 1936.
The CCC’s contributions
are still visible today through
the five stone and timber
pavilions in the park. In 1988,
the CCC-built facilities were
added to the National Register
of Historic Places.
Many recreational opportunities are available in the gorge.
Some of these activities
Colton Point State Park
On the west rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, the small
campground at Colton Point State Park resonates with the
rustic charm of the Civilian Conservation Corps era of the
1930s. The first-come, first-serve camping area offers petfriendly, non-electric campsites (tent-only and walk-to) and
organized group tenting. Four campsites can accommodate a
small camping unit. The campground has non-flush restrooms,
picnic tables, fire rings, and potable water.
The rugged overlooks near the campground offer great
views of the 800-foot deep, glacially carved Pine Creek
Gorge. The scenery at Colton Point and Leonard Harrison is
beautiful in every season of the year and is especially stunning
in late September through mid-October.
Please note: Cell service may be limited or unavailable near
and within the park
RESERVATIONS: Rustic campsites for individuals at
Colton Point State Park are first-come, first-serve. Upon
arrival, choose a campsite that is unoccupied, and follow all
instructions on the bulletin board. Payment can be made with
check or cash. A green fee tube is by the bulletin board for
collection of camping fees.
For groups who meet the criteria of an Organized Group,
reservations for Organized Group Tenting campsites can be
made online or by phone using MasterCard, VISA, American
Express, and Discover credit cards; personal, traveler’s, and
cashier’s checks; or a Pennsylvania State Parks Gift Card.
To receive a confirmed reservation, full payment must be
received within ten days of making the reservation. For
reservations, call the Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation
Center at 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday to
Saturday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM or visit
http://pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
CAMPSITE ISSUING: Campsites are available on a firstcome, first-served basis. If an employee is not available, read
posted instructions then proceed to an available site and set up.
The appropriate fee must be paid to a park employee or
deposited in a supplied honor system envelope before setting
up on a campsite.
CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations,
changes, or transfers to reservations will be assessed a fee and
can be made prior to arrival by the Pennsylvania State Parks
Reservation Center.
Any cancellation, change, or transfer made upon arrival
must be processed through the state park. For complete
information on fees, cancellations, changes, transfers, and
discount policies, view the Reservation Cancellation/Change
Policy at the website above in the "Reservations" section.
Campground Rules
CAMPING SEASON: This campground opens the first
Friday in May and closes the third Sunday in October.
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT TIME: Check-in time is
3:00 PM. Campsites must be vacated by 3:00 PM.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Alcoholic beverages are
prohibited in all Pennsylvania state parks.
PETS: Pets are permitted at all campsites in this campground,
except organized group tenting sites. Please contact the park
office or contact station for pet guidelines.
Pets are prohibited in swimming areas, buildings, and all
overnight facilities not participating in the pet program. Guide
dogs and service dogs are not considered pets.
QUIET HOURS: Campers must not disturb the sleep of
others between 9:00 PM and 8:00 AM.
NOISE: Operation of electric generators that create excessive
noise is prohibited.
OCCUPANCY: Site occupancy is limited to one family unit
(persons living under one household) or five unrelated people
per site. Occupants must include at least one person 18 years
of age or older at all times.
MOTOR VEHICLES: Park only in designated areas. Only
one vehicle is permitted at a campsite in addition to a camping
unit. If permitted, additional vehicles can park on the camping
spur for a fee or in the second car parking area at no charge.
VISITORS: Visitors are welcome on campsites from
8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
MINIMUM/MAXIMUM CAMPING PERIOD: Campers
may stay in a state park campground up to 14 consecutive
nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If reserving a
Saturday during the summer season, a two-night minimum
stay is required. Campers may camp up to 21 consecutive
nights during the remainder of the year.
HUNTING: Use extreme caution with firearms at all times.
Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms
and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased
and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during
hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during
non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be
kept in the owner's vehicle or enclosed trailer. Exceptions
include: law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid
Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms are authorized to
carry a firearm concealed on their person while they are within
a state park.
Protect and Preserve Our Parks
Please make your visit safe and enjoyable. Obey all posted
rules and regulations and respect fellow visitors and the
resources of the park.
• Be prepared and bring the proper eq
Directions to Leonard Harrison
and Colton Point State Parks
Leonard Harrison State Park
4797 Route 660
Wellsboro, PA 16901
GPS DD: Lat. 41.698 Long. -77.451
570-724-3061
Colton Point State Park
927 Colton Road
Wellsboro, PA 16901
GPS DD: Lat. 41.70964 Long. -77.46613
Directions:
2QWKHHDVWHUQULP Leonard Harrison State ParkLVWHQPLOHVZHVWRI:HOOVERURRQPA 660
On the western rim, Colton Point State Park is RQ&ROWRQ5RDGILYH miles south of US 6 at Ansonia
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