The stunning Pocono Knob Overlook, Mt. Pocono, Monroe County

The Knob Overlook is a place that I had gone to as a kid. We do not often end up in the Poconos anymore since we are all the way in Pittsburgh. I remember trying to take Brit to this spot about 15 years ago when we were driving through, but had no luck finding it since it was not labelled on maps and Google Maps was not nearly as functional back then as it is now for finding things. We were in the area recently and were finally able to find it. In the time since I had last been up there, a good bit of development had occurred. Over the last few decades there have been battles to destroy public access to the overlook with the development of high end housing in place of the overlook. Thankfully those efforts have failed and just recently, the land was completely protected as remaining as public open space for eternity. This is a big deal. I can find documented history of people flocking to the Pocono Knob Overlook going all the way back into the 1800s for the scenery. I am glad this land will continue to be a landmark like this. 

Looking towards the Eastern Poconos, Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey and New York with an endless sea of summer green. 

Camelback Ski Area and Big Pocono State Park are way out there.

The views I got from this location so many years ago stuck with me for close to 30 years and I am certain that experience has been had by thousands of others. I am glad that future generations will have that same opportunity. This view is a direct counterpart to the Big Pocono State Park Overlook, with wide views looking directly at that location, and all the way around into the Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey, and New York. The views from this location are very far and wide, a wide panorama of beauty that the region has to offer. It has also been maintained and kept open so there are no obstructions to the view. A trail is also being developed around the site. The tourism scene of the Poconos has long been in flux, but through all of that upheaval, between resorts closing and other kinds of booming resorts and attractions taking their place including water parks, indoor waterparks, and even a casino, the beauty of the region has always remained, and the Pocono Knob Overlook has long been a huge part of that. This scenic overlook was often "overlooked." I do think it would be great if they had some directional signage in town pointing towards the overlook, because this spot is so wonderful. 

Looking towards the western side of the Poconos, seeing the landscape get wilder as it goes west.

The water tower is at "Beautiful Mt Airy Lodge!" The land of the old lodge has been rebuilt with a casino and hotel. 

Highly recommend checking out this spectacular spot. Every bit as amazing as I remember it and I am so glad that public access to it has been guaranteed now. 

It is located on Knob Road in the borough of Mt. Pocono. The road loops around the entire overlook, so this is a roadside spot that anyone can access. 

Benton Overlook: Beautiful Scenic Vista in Columbia County over the Fishing Creek Valley

Benton Overlook, on the northern edge of Columbia County, offers a beautiful view point over the rolling hills and a view of the bustling agriculture of the area of the Fishing Creek Valley. 

This scenic overlook is close to both Ricketts Glen State Park and Worlds End State Park. The view opens up on a stretch of road that goes down a mountain. 

The overlook appears to have been here for a pretty long time, with it also getting a bit of community support from the Fishing Creek Sportsmen's Association, to keep the view point clear, clean, and have a pull off spot to see it on Route 239. 

 237 Shickshinny Road, Route 239,  Benton, PA. 

Checking out Beautiful Bald Eagle State Park

Bald Eagle State Park is a really large state park in Centre County. It is one of the larger state parks in the state, and the centerpiece is Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir, a large lake with a mountain along the side of it. Foster Joseph Sayers was a local Hero in World War II and the lake was named in his honor. The lake was built in 1969 as a part of a series of major flood control projects up and down the Susquehanna River. It has protected Lock Haven and Williamsport from even more catastrophic flooding, including likely keeping the towns from being completely destroyed during Agnes back in 1971, though the memorial to Foster Joseph Sayers was washed away during that flood. As always though, to build this dam, people needed to relocate, which is always a fraught and difficult process.  

While boating, fishing, and sunbathing are popular activities at the lake, in addition to the accommodations at the state park, my personal favorite spot is just looking out over it from the scenic overlook off of 220. This is a great area for scenic drives. If you are in the area, definitely check this out, in addition to the historic Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village, located right nearby with a working iron furnace from the 19th century. 

 

Allegheny Overlook Park in Cadogan, Armstrong County: Scenic Views and Park Above the Allegheny River

Cadogan has created something pretty special with their Allegheny Overlook Park. It utilizes a scenic overlook point above the Allegheny River to create a beautiful little public park and gathering space. We went to this park once before, and the only thing we could recall is the beautiful gazebo. Since then, they have added more historic relics and a brand new picnic pavilion. 

We stopped at the park after picking up dinner down the street, which is a common occurrence for us since we cannot take our pups into the restaurant. While chowing down on some delicious Italian food from down the street at Falsetti's Villa, we took in this view. We highly recommend checking it out if you are in the area, between Freeport and Kittanning. 

It is located at coordinates

40.752626, -79.580910

Tioga Reservoir/Tioga-Hammond Lakes Overlook and Recreation Area, Opposite Route 15/I99 Overlook

So we recently covered the beautiful scenic overlook at the Route 15/I-99 Welcome Center. Today we take a look from the other side, looking towards it, from the little strip of land between the Tioga and Hammond Lakes, an abrupt rocky formation that is a fantastic place to have a picnic. 

While the view is not as sweeping as the view from up on the mountain on Route 15, here you can see how impressive and bold this road cut was. Engineering and human effort in action to harness nature and have it work together. Between the road cut and the giant dam for the lakes, this is a really impressive place to see.

 

Martin Hill Road and Blankley Hill Road Overlooks: Spectacular Views in Buchanan State Forest

There are a number of pretty roadside overlooks in Buchanan State Forest, several of the prettiest and easiest to find ones are located on Martin Hill Rd and Blankley Hill Rd. They are both essentially the same road and if you follow them you will see at least 3 scenic overlooks looking on either direction of the ridge. 

The Sweet Root Gap Vista is at the top of the gap in which the Sweet Root Natural Area and trail are based. The Mid-State Trail goes through this spot. If you are headed from Maryland's Rocky Gap State Park, a popular destination for Pennsylvanians, it is great to watch the geology unfold by routing yourself through this area. 

The three named vistas in this spot are the Martin Hill Firetower View, Sweet Root Gap Vista, and Rainsburg View.

You can't miss these overlooks if you follow Martin Hill Road and Blankley Hill Rd. I love state forest roads like this that lead towards successions of scenic overlooks like this. Put Martin Hill Rd into your navigation app and you should not have any trouble finding these spots. 

Thank you so much for your support over these many years with these calendars. The proceeds help to keep the lights on here. The 2024 edition is available now!

Our 2024 Pennsylvania Wall Calendar features scenes from across the state, including views of:

-The old growth forests in Cook Forest State Park 

-Center City Philadelphia 

-Knoebels Amusement Resort 

-Gettysburg Battlefield in the snow 

-Sailing in Erie 

-PA's Elk Herd 

-Canyon Vista at Worlds End State Park 

-Kinzua Bridge 

-Cowan's Gap State Park 

-Downtown Pittsburgh 

-A vista on the PA 144 Scenic Byway -A holiday scene from Sunbury PA. 

The calendars open up to be 17 inches tall by 11 inches wide (8.5 by 11 pages) and all photos have been taken by us, and the calendars are produced in the USA. The proceeds help us to continue what we do to highlight and bring attention to the many great adventures that this state has to offer. 

It makes for a great gift for someone or for yourself. It is available for purchase through the PayPal dropdown menus at the top of the page and the bottom of this article.

Also available is our book on Pennsylvania's historic amusement parks, Great Pennsylvania Amusement Parks Road Trip. It features Knoebels, Kennywood Park, Hersheypark, Dorney Park, Waldameer, DelGrosso's, Lakemont, Dutch Wonderland, Idlewild, and the sadly former Conneaut Lake Park.

2024 PA Calendar and PA Amusement Parks Book Purchase Options

2024 Pennsylvania Calendar $13.49 USD                                   PA Amusement Parks Book $21.95 USD                                   Book and Calendar Bundle $33.95 USD                                   2 Calendars $25.50 USD                                   3 Calendars $34.50 USD

 

Stone Mountain Hawk Watch: Mifflin County and Rothrock State Forest

The Stone Mountain Hawk Watch is on the Huntingdon and Mifflin County Border and serves as a hawk migration count location during the peak migration seasons. Even without bird sightings, the overlook is breathtaking. It gives a beautiful view of the topography in this area and requires a fun jaunt through state forest roads, one of my favorite ways to traverse the state. The platform was built by volunteers from the State College Bird Club and Juniata Valley Audobon. To get to the platform you follow a short, .25 mile trail along the ridge top. The winds were not conducive to migration on the day that we went, but the view is still spectacular, nonetheless. On active days, like right now, you should see hundreds of different raptors, including hawks, eagles, and more. 

A view of the state forest roads to get up here.

Follow the trail from these GPS coordinates

40.568943, -77.828610

 

Hoagland Vista near Worlds End State Park in Loyalsock State Forest

Today we take a look at the Hoagland Vista, an often overlooked scenic overlook in the Endless Mountains. It is located east of Forksville, northeast of Worlds End State Park, and due northeast of the beautiful High Knob Overlook. There is a beautiful and scenic state forest road in Loyalsock State Forest leading up to the overlook. There is a wide clearing which would be perfect for throwing out a blanket and having a picnic. It would probably be difficult to traverse this section of state forest roads in the winter. 

Areas like this really show the glaciated plateau makeup of the geology of the region. The pass seen in the mountain is from the Hoagland Branch. 

It is definitely worth checking out this overlook while you are in the area for Worlds End State Park, High Knob Overlook, and more. 

Coordinates: 

41.48563, -76.72662

Raymond B Winter State Park and Scenic Overlook: Union County and Bald Eagle State Forest

Raymond B Winter State Park, and its surroundings of Bald Eagle State Forest, are very pleasant and bucolic. There are seemingly endless woods here, only interrupted by some state forest roads, and a beautiful little CCC era dam and lake, named Halfway Lake, with a pleasant and popular sandy beach and picnic area. Hiking here is solid, and there is even a beautiful scenic overlook that you can drive to or hike to. 

The scenic overlook is accessible by road, or through a hike from the main area of the state park, just below. It is located on McCall Dam Road. 

RB Winter State Park has direct hiking connections to the Mid-State Trail, and there are also more than 6 miles of hiking trails within the state park itself. The following list from DCNR summarizes the trails:

Bake Oven Trail

0.96 mile  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Orange blazes

Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking

Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables

This trail runs in conjunction with the Mid State Trail and takes hikers along the ridge top and through areas of mountain laurel and chestnut oak.

Boiling Spring Trail

1.41 miles  |  Easiest hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  Red blazes

Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling

Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches

This trail follows the waterline originally installed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Hikers can enjoy dense mountain laurel and ferns in route to the original CCC springhouse.

Brush Hollow Trail

0.73 mile  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Orange blazes

Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking

Trailhead amenities: none

This trail runs in conjunction with the Mid State Trail on the park’s southern border. Hikers will see thick patches of mountain laurel and rhododendron. 

Lakeside Trail

0.6 mile  |  Easiest hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Red blazes

Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking

Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches

This trail circles Halfway Lake providing great views and passes the first CCC dam built in PA.

Laurel Trail

0.3 mile  |  Easiest hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Blue blazes

Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended

Trailhead amenities: none

This trail avoids the steep section of Bake Oven Trail and allows for a more gradual climb up Bake Oven Mountain.

Mid State Trail

1.8 miles in the park  |  More difficult hiking  |  Point-to-point trail  |  Orange blazes

Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking

The park is the middle trailhead for central PA's Mid State Trail. Stretching 327 miles from Bedford County in the south to Tioga County in the north, this wilderness footpath mostly covers public lands as it passes through start forests, state parks, and game lands.  The remote and isolated trail is excellent for backpacking trips.

Old Boundary Trail

0.77 mile  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes

Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking

Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches

This trail connects Bake Oven Trail and Sand Mountain Road. Hikers cross scenic Halfway Run and its nearby wetland area.

Overlook Trail

0.88 mile  |  More difficult hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  Yellow/red blazes

Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking

Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables

This trail has many switchbacks to lessen the steepness of the mountain up to the overlook. Once on top, it continues along the ridgeline.

Rapid Run Nature Trail

1.09 miles  |  Easiest hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Yellow blazes

Recreations permitted: hiking

Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches

Meandering alongside old growth hemlocks and white pines, this easy foot trail gives a great taste of the natural and historic experience R. B. Winter has to offer.

Rocky Corner Trail

0.1 mile in the park |  Most difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes

Recreations permitted: hiking

Only a third of Rocky Corner Trail is in the park. The 0.3-mile trail continues into Bald Eagle State Forest to connect to McCalls Dam Road and Old Tram Trail.

West Boundary Trail

0.64 mile |  Most difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes

Recreations permitted: hiking

This trail has stretches of steep, rocky terrain. It is a rugged, yet scenic hike.

They also have a campground and some cottages. McCall's Dam State Park is also located very close to here. For more information about the state park, check out their website at https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/RaymondBWinterStatePark

Black Gap Vista Near McCalls Dam State Park: Centre County in Bald Eagle State Forest

We hit Black Gap Visit as a pit stop on a ride northeast from Pittsburgh. It is a pleasant place to stop, definitely the kind of place that would be perfect to throw out a blanket for a picnic at. It gives a typically stunning view of the mountains that you see in this area. When we visited in August, the late summer wildflowers were starting to bloom at the lookout site. It was really quite pleasant.

 Coordinates:

41.015849, -77.214416

There are TONS of other nearby scenic overlooks. Be sure to check out our guide to the scenic overlooks of Bald Eagle State Forest through this link. 

Bucktail/Top of the World/Mason Hill Overlook: a 360 Degree View in Elk State Forest

The Bucktail Overlook, also known as the Top of the World Overlook, and the Mason Hill Overlook, is a pretty incredible spot that provides 360 degree views of the Sinnemahoning Creek Valley and the area of the Elk Herd in Elk State Forest. 

It is named after the heroic 42nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (13th Reserves) and the subsequent 149th and 150th Pennsylvania Regiments of the Union Army, helping guide our nation to winning the Civil War. 

The regiment's nickname is the Bucktails and they are renowned for their bravery and service in fighting off the Confederacy and preserving our nation. They wore Bucktails on their hats, which made them stand out amongst the many fighting groups of the Union. The grand view at the Bucktail Overlook, which is also referred to as the Top of the World, is certainly a great tribute to their service. 

The views here are so expansive, but I feel like they would be amplified with a fire tower or observation tower located at the center of the overlook area to help give an even more outstanding view. Perhaps something like a monument towards the Bucktails, similar to what they have in Gettysburg, to serve as both an ornate memorial to the people that enabled the future of Pennsylvania and our entire nation, and to give an even better view of the spot. 

Our two pups absolutely adored the grassy clearing at the overlook to take a break and play hard after sitting in the car on a nice scenic ride for a while.

We definitely recommend checking out this spectacular spot. It is within 20 minutes, just east of Benezette and within the range of the elk herd. The state forest road leading up to it is pretty substantial, with some divots and sharp curves, so keep that in mind during tougher weather conditions. You will definitely need to be dodging road hazards on the way up. Additionally, the renowned Fred Woods Trail a 4.9 mile loop trail with a rock city is located right nearby. 

It is located off Mason Hill Road, a state forest road in Elk State Forest.

Coordinates for the overlook:

41.349712, -78.153497