WELLSBORO, P.A. (WENY) -- The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon has a long rich history of travelers from all around stepping through some of its most scenic routes. Currently, the state park allows you to learn, experience, and connect with nature, while taking in some gorgeous views.   

The history of the park spans back decades as Native Americans once used this as a major travel route, now formally known as the “Pine Creek Trail” that is accessible to hike.   

It was not until 1921 when the land was formally recognized as a state park after Leonard Harrison, businessman and banker of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, decided to invest. He donated 120 acres of land to improve his community.   

However, Bob Edkin, environmental specialist at Leonard Harrison State Park says the park had a slow start.  

“It didn't really do much for the first number of years. In the 30s, the civilian conservation corps was here, and they did several improvements to the park,” says Edkin, adding it wasn’t until the “conjunction with the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce, in the 30s, they began promoting the area as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. After that took off, attendance really soared here. “  

By 1936, Edkin says the attendance at Leonard Harrison State Park was higher than it was at Yellowstone that year.  

During the hit of the COVID-19 pandemic, state parks across the United States saw a spike in visitations from 2020 through 2023, with an increase of more than 88 million visitors, according to the National Park Service.   

Edkin says that Leonard Harrison State Park saw an incredible uptick in attendance as more people discovered the beauty of stepping out and embracing nature.   

Visitors can enjoy 4.6 miles of trails, that range in difficulty and route type for all their hiking needs. Additionally, there's a rail trail you can walk, bicycle, or horseback ride along. The rail trail is one mile in the park but is 62 miles in total! Other trails include the Turkey Path (1 mile) and Overlook Trail (0.6 mile)  

If you do plan on making this a longer visit, the Leonard Harrison State Park does have a campground available. The campground is open from the second Friday in April until the last weekend in October.   

Picnic tables, fire rings, showers, flush toilets, and a sanitary dump station are provided.  Some sites do have electricity while others do not. Edkin says you need to book the sites around eleven months in advance because of high demand in bookings.   

Many who visit Leonard State Park have mentioned the campground including Shelby Ratchford who visited Pennsylvania for the first time from Florida. Ratchford says she has visited many campgrounds along the East Coast and added the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon to her bucket list of places to visit.   

“We've been to many campgrounds already on the East Coast and, this is definitely on our list to come back to. The Grand Canyon is gorgeous. There are a lot of wonderful views, some great, you know, places to go hiking, and a lot of really lovely little towns to visit in the area as well.  

For those who cannot make it during the summertime. The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset, weather dependent of course.   

As the seasons change, the view from Leonard Harrison State Park continues to get better and better.   

Edkin described it best by saying that one thing that people leave with thoughts about how beautiful it is.   

“The view is even amplified every season. It looks so much different in the spring than it does in the summer. For the fall, all the colors, and then the winter there is just something really beautiful about there being nothing and just maybe a little bit of snow.”  

You can find more information when visiting the park at the visitor center. The Pennsylvania Wilds Shop is also available to purchase souvenirs that are locally made and reflect the region’s beauty, bounty, and rural traditions.   Events, hours and any information you need about the state park can be found on this website: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks