Pennsylvania Grand Canyon Map
The West Rim Trail & Pine Creek Gorge, Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon.
5-day Pennsylvania Grand Canyon backpacking itinerary. Hike the 30-mile West Rim Trail high above Pine Creek Gorge, drop to the gorge floor for a Pine Creek paddle on the rail trail, and climb back to the rim, all from a Wellsboro base in Tioga State Forest.
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16 stops on a real mapEvery stop pinned in order→PA Grand Canyon: every stop pinned in order.
West Rim Trail · Pine Creek Gorge · Tioga State Forest, PA
Every stop on this trip, in order, opens as one driving route in the Google Maps app. No copying addresses across one at a time.
PA Grand Canyon in photos: 4 of the stops.
Plan and book your 5 days in PA Grand Canyon, one step at a time
How 5 days in PA Grand Canyon split up
Plan 5 days for PA Grand Canyon. Distance: ~40 miles. Elevation change: 4,000+ ft. Permits: Free. For a 5-day backpacking trip in Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon, base your logistics out of Wellsboro and the northern West Rim Trail trailhead near Ansonia. The West Rim Trail runs about 30 miles along the western rim of Pine Creek Gorge in Tioga State Forest, with near-continuous views 800 feet down to Pine Creek.
Day 1: Ansonia Trailhead & West Rim Trail North
4 stops · Day one
Day 2: West Rim Trail South to Bradley Wales
3 stops · Day two
Day 3: Descend to the Gorge Floor & Pine Creek
4 stops · Day three
Day 4: Gorge Floor Morning & Climb Back to the Rim
3 stops · Day four
Day 5: Final Hike Out & Wellsboro
2 stops · Day five
Ansonia Trailhead & West Rim Trail North
Drive to Ansonia and the northern West Rim Trail trailhead, a forestry parking lot on Colton Road just south of US 6. Fill out a free primitive-camping self-registration if you'll be at one site more than a night, then start south along the rim as the gorge opens up beside you.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Doug Kerr from Albany, / CC BY-SA 2.0Drive from
~15 mi to the Ansonia trailhead · car required · DriveBase your logistics out of Wellsboro, the classic gas-lit gateway town to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. The northern West Rim Trail trailhead near Ansonia is about 15 miles west. Wellsboro is roughly 2.5 hours from Harrisburg (MDT) and about 4 hours from Philadelphia (PHL). No public transportation reaches the trailhead, so a car is required.
- Ansonia / West Rim Trail north trailhead
Colton Road off US 6 · self-registration kiosk · ViewpointThe northern terminus of the West Rim Trail is a forestry parking lot on Colton Road just south of US 6 near Ansonia. There are no trail or entry fees. Fill out a free primitive-camping self-registration if you will camp more than one night at a site, and note the West Rim Trail is point-to-point, so arrange a car spot or a Pine Creek Outfitters shuttle if you plan to thru-hike.
Official info → - Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0Hike West Rim Trail south to camp
~8 mi · scenic overlooks · HikeHike roughly 8 miles south along the rim as Pine Creek Gorge opens up beside you, passing the first overlooks. The trail is well-marked but can be rocky and uneven, so keep good footing and carry enough water.
See the trail → - Camp at a West Rim primitive site
Free · designated site · Leave No Trace · lodgeMake camp at a designated primitive site off the West Rim Trail, 200 feet from water, trails, and roads. Store food in a bear bag or canister and filter all your water. Black bears are active throughout Tioga State Forest.
West Rim Trail South to Bradley Wales
Today is the biggest hiking day, about 12 miles south along the rim. The trail stays high above Pine Creek, passing overlook after overlook, and can be rocky and uneven, so good footing and enough water matter here.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Ron Shawley / CC BY 3.0West Rim Trail to Bradley Wales~12 mi · continuous gorge views · HikeThe biggest hiking day, about 12 miles south along the rim past overlook after overlook. The trail stays high above Pine Creek and can be rocky and uneven, so start early and pace yourself. Carry a 2-3 liter capacity and filter from reliable sources.
See the trail →- Bradley Wales scenic overlook
Panoramic gorge view · picnic area · ViewpointReach the Bradley Wales area, home to one of the most expansive panoramas on the entire West Rim Trail. It is a great spot for a long lunch break and photos before you make camp nearby.
Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0Camp near Bradley WalesFree · designated site · near descent trails · lodgeFind a designated primitive campsite near Bradley Wales, positioning yourself for the descent into the gorge tomorrow. Fill and filter water before you settle in, and keep bear precautions in place.
Descend to the Gorge Floor & Pine Creek
Drop off the rim on a steep side trail (a Turkey Path-style descent) down to the gorge floor, about 700 feet of descent on switchbacks with seasonal waterfalls. At the bottom you meet the flat, crushed-stone Pine Creek Rail Trail running right beside the creek.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
AGnias47 / CC BY-SA 4.0Turkey Path-style descent to the gorge floor~1.5 mi · ~700 ft descent · steep · HikeDrop off the rim on a steep side trail down to the gorge floor, about 700 feet of descent on switchbacks with seasonal waterfalls. Take your time on loose rock and use trekking poles. At the bottom you meet the Pine Creek Rail Trail beside the creek.
See the trail →- Hike the Pine Creek Rail Trail
4-5 mi · flat crushed stone · HikeOn the gorge floor, hike a mellow section of the flat, crushed-stone Pine Creek Rail Trail, an old railroad grade running right beside the creek with towering canyon walls above. It is ideal for easy walking and a creek-level view of the canyon.
Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0Kayak Pine Creek · Pine Creek Outfitters (optional)Rental + shuttle from Ansonia · needs spring water · activityAdd a half-day Pine Creek paddle for a water-level view of the canyon. Rent a kayak or canoe and arrange a shuttle with Pine Creek Outfitters in Ansonia (pinecrk.com). Water levels are best in spring and early summer, so book ahead.
Operator info →- Camp on the gorge floor
Free · designated sites only · lodgeCamp at a designated gorge-floor site near Pine Creek. Camping along the Pine Creek Rail Trail is restricted to designated areas, so use marked sites only and keep bear precautions in place.
Gorge Floor Morning & Climb Back to the Rim
Spend the morning on the quiet gorge floor, more easy walking along the Pine Creek Rail Trail with good odds of spotting wildlife by the water. Enjoy the towering walls from below before you turn uphill.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Morning on the Pine Creek Rail Trail
3-4 mi · flat · wildlife · HikeSpend the morning on the quiet gorge floor, more easy walking along the Pine Creek Rail Trail with good odds of spotting wildlife by the water. Enjoy the towering walls from below before you turn uphill.
- Ascend to the West Rim Trail (Barbour Rock)
~1.5-2 mi · 700-800 ft climb · strenuous · HikeIn the afternoon, pick a side trail such as Barbour Rock and climb the strenuous 700-800 feet back up to the West Rim Trail. Filter enough water on the gorge floor to carry up, since rim sources can be dry. Barbour Rock is a short, near-flat spur once you top out.
See the trail → 
Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0Camp on the rim near the north trailheadFree · designated site · final night · lodgeBack on the West Rim Trail, hike north and camp at a designated rim site, positioning yourself for a short hike out tomorrow. Enjoy the last evening views from the rim and keep bear precautions in place.
Final Hike Out & Wellsboro
On the last day, finish the remaining 6 miles of the West Rim Trail north back to your vehicle at the Ansonia trailhead, with final views over the northern gorge along the way.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
DeeFabian / CC BY-SA 3.0Hike out to the Ansonia trailhead~6 mi · mostly downhill · HikeFinish the remaining 6 miles of the West Rim Trail north back to your vehicle at the Ansonia trailhead, with final views over the northern gorge along the way. The tread is mostly downhill or flat but can be rocky, so keep steady footing to the car.
See the trail →
Doug Kerr from Albany, / CC BY-SA 2.0Celebrate & stay in WellsboroGateway base town · gas-lit main street · lodgeFrom the trailhead it is a short drive into Wellsboro, the classic gas-lit gateway town, for a celebratory meal and a night in town. From here you can plan which section of the gorge to come back for next, or thru-hike the full West Rim Trail to Blackwell.
Sort where you sleep each night
Most nights on this trip are in a tent. Reserve any campsite the route needs, and the room either side of it if you want one.
Tell us your dates and we will do the calling: the rooms either side, and the guided days in between. Nothing is charged and you decide at the end.
Request to bookWhat to pack for PA Grand Canyon
Built from this route, not a generic list. Every line says why it is here.
On every day of this trip
On your feet
Because you are sleeping out 4 nights
For the 1 night under a roof
For the drive to the trailhead
Essential state-forest rules & planning.
Free primitive-camping permit
There are no trail or entry fees. A free primitive-camping permit from the DCNR Tioga district office (570-724-2868) is required to camp more than one night at the same site, and for campfires during the spring wildfire season (March-May) or if you want an emergency point of contact. Camping is otherwise first-come, first-served with no reservations.
Point-to-point, plan a shuttle
The West Rim Trail runs about 30 miles point-to-point between Ansonia (north) and Blackwell (south), not a loop. Most backpackers arrange a car spot or a shuttle through Pine Creek Outfitters in Ansonia (pinecrk.com). This 5-day itinerary uses the northern section as an out-and-back with a gorge-floor detour so you can start and finish at one trailhead.
Camp 200 ft from water & trails
Primitive camping is allowed in Tioga State Forest 200 feet from roads, trails, and water sources, unless at a designated site. Along the Pine Creek Rail Trail, camping is restricted to designated areas only, so plan gorge-floor sites in advance.
Bears & food storage
Black bears are active throughout Tioga State Forest. Store all food and scented items in a bear-resistant container or a properly hung bear bag at least 200 feet from your tent, and filter or treat all water from natural sources.
Go May-June or September-October
Shoulder seasons are best: May and early June bring lush greenery and the best Pine Creek water levels for paddling, while September and October deliver spectacular foliage, cooler temperatures, and fewer bugs. Summer is hot, humid, and buggy with lower creek levels; winter needs specialized gear and experience.
Getting there needs a car
The trailheads are near Wellsboro in north-central Pennsylvania. Drive times are roughly 2.5 hours from Harrisburg (MDT) and about 4 hours from Philadelphia (PHL). No public transportation reaches the trailheads, so a car is required.
Steep, muddy descents punish knees
The West Rim Trail and its gorge-floor side trails drop sharply down steep, muddy drainage lines that wear out knees over a multi-day trek. Use two trekking poles, take the descents slowly on the loose, slick rock, and pack a knee support if you are prone to trouble. Because valley shuttle logistics are spotty, pre-arrange your trailhead vehicle shuttle through a regional outfitter like Pine Creek Outfitters before you start.
PA Grand Canyon: questions before you go
PA Grand Canyon backpacking: the questions people ask most.
The West Rim Trail is moderately strenuous thanks to its length (about 30 miles point-to-point) and constant elevation changes along the rim, and the descent to and climb back from the gorge floor add a challenge. It is rocky and uneven in places. Prior backpacking experience is recommended.
Camping is first-come, first-served with no reservations, but a free primitive-camping permit from the DCNR Tioga district office (570-724-2868) is required to camp more than one night at the same site, and for campfires during the spring wildfire season or if you want an emergency point of contact. There are no trail or entry fees.
The best months are May, June, September, and October. May and early June bring lush greenery and the best Pine Creek water levels for kayaking; September and October deliver spectacular fall foliage and cooler, drier hiking, though weekends can be busy. Summer is hot, humid, and buggy, and winter requires specialized gear and experience.
Yes. Kayaking or canoeing Pine Creek from the gorge floor is a popular half-day add-on. Rent boats and arrange a shuttle from a local outfitter such as Pine Creek Outfitters in Ansonia (pinecrk.com). Water levels are best in spring and early summer, so book ahead.
The West Rim Trail is point-to-point between Ansonia (northern trailhead on Colton Road off US 6) and Blackwell / Rattlesnake Rock (south), not a loop. Many hikers arrange a car spot or a shuttle through Pine Creek Outfitters to thru-hike it. This 5-day itinerary starts and ends at the northern trailhead near Ansonia, with a gorge-floor detour in the middle.
Yes, there are springs and small streams along the West Rim Trail plus Pine Creek itself on the gorge floor, but rim sources can be seasonal and unreliable. Carry a 2-3 liter capacity, filter or treat all water, and check a current map (the Purple Lizard or Tioga State Forest public-use map) for sources.
The trailheads are near Wellsboro in north-central Pennsylvania. It is roughly 2.5 hours from Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) and about 4 hours from Philadelphia (PHL). No public transportation reaches the trailheads, so a car is required. Wellsboro is the closest town for lodging, gear, and food.
Tell us your dates and we ask a local guide who works this area what they can do on your days and what it costs. If nobody is free, we tell you. Asking is free: no card, no deposit, and nothing is held until you say yes.
Pick how you want to go.
Same 5-day route. Same 10 stops.
- 4 nights, sites along the route
- $88
- Rental car, 5 days
- $300
- Gas, about 60 miles
- $10
- A private local guide, campsites booked
- Included
- Airport pickup and every drive
- Included
- Park, permit and campsite fees paid
- Included
- All the gear and the trail meals
- Included
Written and walked by Yulia Vasilyeva · Co-founder · Lead planner and guide
Three years leading guided hikes in the Pacific Northwest, rated 5.0 by 20+ verified guests, and she builds every custom itinerary herself. Based in Seattle.
Last checked September 2026
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