Pine Creek Gorge (PA Grand Canyon), Moderate 4x4 trail in Wellsboro, PA
Moderate
Overlanding

Pine Creek Gorge (PA Grand Canyon)

Wellsboro, PA•Northeast

Pine Creek Gorge (PA Grand Canyon) is a moderate 47 miles off-road trail near Wellsboro, PA, best run May - November. The gear list marks All-terrain tires as required, and 4WD capability as recommended. A stock high-clearance 4x4 can run it; check the gear list before you go.

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Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon is the East's most impressive gorge, a 47-mile-long, 1,450-foot-deep gash through the Allegheny Plateau. Forest roads along both rims offer dramatic overlooks and access to a landscape that rivals western canyons for sheer scale. The Pine Creek Rail Trail runs along the gorge floor, and the surrounding state forest provides hundreds of miles of backcountry exploration.

Fun Facts

#1

Pine Creek Gorge is 47 miles long and up to 1,450 feet deep, earning it the nickname 'Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.'

#2

The gorge was carved by glacial meltwater at the end of the last ice age.

#3

Bald eagles have returned to nest along Pine Creek after near extinction in Pennsylvania.

Length
47 miles
Elevation
800 - 2,300 ft
Best Season
May - November
Permit
Not Required
1,450-ft gorgeRim overlooksPA Grand CanyonFall foliageState forest roads

🛞 Tires

required
All-terrain tires

⚙️ Drivetrain

recommended
4WD capability

Closest campgrounds to Pine Creek Gorge (PA Grand Canyon):

  • Ives Run · Wellsboro · 20 mi (straight-line)
  • Tompkins · Lawrenceville · 25 mi (straight-line)

Straight-line distance. Check the map for drive time.

Where to Camp

2 campgrounds within 30 miles of this trail

Wellsboro, Pennsylvania|20 mi|34 min
186 sites
Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania|25 mi|42 min
119 sites

GPS Coordinates

41.6834, -77.4567

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Map of Wellsboro, PA

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