Colton Point State Park

Copyright: Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks Colton Point State Park

Attractions - The "Grand Canyon" of Pennsylvania begins just south of Ansonia, along U.S. Route 6 and continues for approximately 47 miles. At Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Parks, the depth of the canyon is about 800 feet and these park locations afford the most spectacular scenic overlooks.

Colton Point State Park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from 1933 to 1936 and opened to the public in 1936. The park was established from state forest lands purchased in the early 1900's. Colton Point was named in the late 1800's for Henry Colton, a lumberman who supervised harvesting of trees in the area. Logs were floated down Pine Creek to sawmills in Williamsport. In 1988, the park became a National Historic Landmark Park in tribute to the CCC era of the park.

The scenery at Colton Point State Park and Leonard Harrison State Park is superb in every season of the year. The fall scenery is early October is especially spectacular. The large abundance of hardwood trees make for beautiful shades of yellow, red and purple. Both parks offer scenic vistas.

Recreation - Colton Point State Park offers family and group camping, picnicking at over 100 tables and hiking along 4 miles of trails. Snowmobiling is enjoyed during the cold winter months.

Fishing is available to those visitors who wish to make the long, steep hike to the bottom of the canyon to Pine Creek. Species include trout, smallmouth bass and panfish. Nearby trout streams include Marsh Creek, Stoney Fork Creek, Asaph, Straight and Four-Mile Run, which is along the Turkey Path Trail. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations apply.

Hunting, trapping and dog training are permitted in designated areas of both parks during established Pennsylvania Game Commission seasons, with the exception of: 1) hunting of woodchucks also known as groundhogs is prohibited and 2) dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day to March 31 in designated hunting areas. Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations are in effect for all activities in the park. Common game species are whitetail deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and gray squirrel. Contact the park manager for accessible hunting information.

Exercise EXTREME CAUTION with firearms at all times. These public parks are used by others throughout the hunting season. Pennsylvania Game Commission laws apply.

Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use by properly licensed hunters only in authorized hunting areas and during those seasons park areas are opened to hunting or under special conditions which may be established by the Department.

Climate - Pennsylvania generally has a moist climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Colton Point State Park area has cold winter months with temperatures averaging around 22 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 degrees Celsius). The area's average summer temperatures range around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius). Precautions should be made when traveling this snowy area in the winter.

Location - Colton Point State Park and Leonard Harrison State Park are two beautiful parks located on opposite sides of the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. The 368-acre Colton Point State Park, on the western rim, is 5 miles south of U.S. Route 6 at Ansonia. To reach the 585-acre Leonard Harrison State Park on the eastern rim, take PA Route 660 west from Wellsboro for 10 miles.