Scenic Lincoln Highway Views in Franklin, Fulton, Bedford, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties

Today we head out on a journey along the Lincoln Highway. From the edge of Chambersburg, westward for about a hundred miles, the Lincoln Highway is especially scenic, providing views along seemingly endless ridge lines, large forests, and historic small cities and boroughs. East of Chambersburg includes a beautiful drive through Gettysburg, York, Lancaster, and other points east. Today we will focus upon an area of the Lincoln Highway that is especially scenic.

Downtown Chambersburg

Our stop today straddles Fulton and Franklin Counties on the Lincoln Highway with scenic overlook at the motorcycle dive bar Mountain House Bar and Grill. This place was once a classic highway rest stop and now it is a motorcycle dive bar at the Tuscarora Summit of the Cove Mountains at an elevation of 2123 feet. The parking lot for the restaurant gives an outstanding view along the historic Lincoln Highway. On a seasonably warm day, you are certain to find dozens of motorcyclists parked in this parking lot. This is also one of the few places in the state that people occasionally hang glide from. 

Historically, this spot was a rest stop out of necessity, due to the cars needing to refill water for coolant and to cool off after climbing such such rigorous mountains. While drivers let their cars cool off, they would step into the restaurant for a bite to eat. Atop most of the rigorous climbs along the Lincoln Highway Corridor, there are old restaurants like this where drivers along the Lincoln Highway needed to stop and let their cars cool off. This one has a pretty vista looking outwards. 

From here, the road maneuvers across more ridge lines, with steep and windy ascents and descents as it traverses the Alleghenies. As you continue you will go through really scenic places, like the Buchanan State Forest, the views as you descend to Breezewood, the Narrows, where the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River passes through the rugged Evitts Mountain, and scenic Everett. The small city of Bedford is home to quite a bit, including the the famous Art Deco Dunkle's Gulf Station, the Koontz Coffee Pot, countless covered bridges in Bedford and Somerset Counties, the Original Pie Shop in Laughlintown, and lots more. You will also pass by the Flight 93 Memorial, something that you should definitely take the chance to do to pay respects to those who lost their lives on that fateful day. When you head through the Lincoln Highway, take your time. You will see something new every time you drive through. 

Our next stop takes us to a more official overlook, the Mt. Ararat lookout point at 2464 feet. For more information about this location, including information about the Grand View Point Hotel that was once located at this spot, and information on its location, check out this previous article that we wrote on a day without snow. 

A beloved hotel was once located at this spot, and it is easy to see why it was that way. I can only imagine having dinner and staying the night looking out at such a beautiful view. 

An adventure across the Lincoln Highway is definitely something that should be on your radar. Spectacular views, roadside Americana, and more await those who travel through on this classic American road.