Its communities offer all the amenities a modern traveler could need while being steeped in quaint rustic charm. Pop off of U.S. 15 for a bite to eat, a new ware or a fun experience in Blossburg, Tioga and Mansfield. Jump on Scenic Route 6 at Mansfield to check out the historic downtown of Wellsboro or to jump on the Pine Creek Rail Trail in Ansonia. Take a winding road in the Pine Creek Valley by connecting to Route 287 to explore Morris or Route 49 to see Elkland and Westfield.
Get a quick reference guide to Tioga County and some of the nearby highlights! The PA Wilds Outdoor Discovery Atlas features 40+ pages of helpful information for adventure seekers. Organized by Landscape, or thematic sub-region, the atlas includes an entire section with navigable maps and exploration ideas for the Pine Creek Valley & PA Grand Canyon.
The public lands of the Pennsylvania Wilds offer chances to connect with nature and travel companions. Tioga County public lands include state parks, state forests and state game lands. State Parks typically feature more amenities for travelers than state forests or game lands, which offer more primitive experiences.
On the east rim of the Pine Creek Gorge, a.k.a. the PA Grand Canyon, the 585-acre Leonard Harrison State Park has modern facilities, a visitor center, and the most famous scenic views of the canyon. The PA Wilds Conservation Shop at Leonard Harrison State Park opened in June 2021 and continues to operate seasonally from about April through October. PA Wilds Conservation Shops are mission-driven gift shops focused on selling regionally-made and value-added products, including those made in Tioga County. Details here.
Want to break away from a crowd or find different vistas? On the other side of the canyon, the west rim, is Colton Point State Park. 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 canyon.
The 407-acre Hills Creek State Park abounds in wildlife. Osprey, loon and waterfowl visit the lake that boasts a variety of warm-water fish species. Camping, cabins, swimming and picnicking make this an ideal spot for a family vacation. In the day use area, on a hill overlooking the lake and beach, a concession offers a variety of food, as well as camping supplies, firewood and fishing bait.
Tioga State Forest derives its name from the Seneca phrase “meeting of two rivers.” It covers 161,890 acres. Tioga features awe-inspiring views and miles of clean, cool streams, like Cedar Run and Babbs Creek, and is one of eight state forests located in the PA Wilds.
Tioga County is home to lakes and designated recreation areas that are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and offer a variety of unique outdoor recreation opportunities.
Tioga-Hammond Lakes features two separate dams, one on the Tioga River and the other along Crooked Creek. A gated channel connects the lakes formed by the dams. There are two recreation areas with an abundance of camping options, hiking and biking trails, picnic sites, boat launches and overnight mooring for campers. Hammond Lake has 685 surface acres of water and can be accessed via Ives Run Recreation Area, which offers a campground, boat launches, overnight mooring for campers, and Display Gardens near the Visitor Information Center. The Lambs Creek Recreation Area is a day use facility on the southern end of Tioga Lake, which offers 498 surface acres perfect for water sports, swimming and fishing. Its secluded location offers a boater’s paradise with amazing water recreation opportunities. More info here.
The Cowanesque Lake lies on the Cowanesque River near Lawrenceville, off Route 49, and it also offers access to a variety of recreation opportunities across three designated recreation areas. On the north shore of Cowanesque Lake is the Tompkins Recreation Area and Campground, which offers campsites and primitive camping, a beach and a boat launch. On the southern side of the lake is the South Shore Recreation Area, which offers boat launch, picnic area and swimming opportunities, as well as the Lawrence Recreation Area, which also has a picnic area as well as shoreline fishing access. More info here.
Our tourism partners can make it happen for you by providing on-the-ground tips, maps, itineraries and more.
2053 PA-660, Wellsboro, PA 16901 | (570) 724-0635
Headquartered in Wellsboro, Visit Potter-Tioga provides traveler resources and itineraries for a 2-county region that covers a vast portion of the Pine Creek Valley & PA Grand Canyon landscape, including all of Tioga County. Learn more here.
13809 US-15, Tioga, PA 16946 | (570) 835-4999
Located on Route 15 southbound, 7 miles south of PA/NY border in Tioga, visitors can stop into the Keystone Welcome Center at Tioga for information on regional attractions, travel or accommodation assistance. This is one of 14 Welcome Centers in Pennsylvania. The centers are open seven days a week, including most holidays, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
When exploring Tioga County and the surrounding Pine Creek Valley + PA Landscape, be sure to practice the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace to ensure you have an enjoyable experience while also protecting what makes the PA Wilds special.
Plan Ahead & Prepare • Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
Trash Your Trash & Pick Up Pet Waste • Leave What You Find
Be Careful With Fire • Keep Wildlife Wild • Be Mindful in Shared Spaces