The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is an outdoor lover’s paradise with many great hiking trails, vistas, and state parks to explore in Tioga County and Lycoming County. And, while many of these spots are popular with tourists, one easy-to-visit spot is very easy to miss: Upper Pine Bottom State Park.
Upper Pine Bottom State Park is located in the southwestern portion of the canyon in Lycoming County. It is on the opposite side of the gorge from Little Pine State Park, so don’t confuse the two.
At only five acres in size, it is the second smallest of Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks, even smaller than the nearby Hyner View State Park. Because of this, don’t visit Upper Pine Bottom State Park expecting typically amenities like a park office, camping area, or a lake.
However, despite its size, this is a neat little park to visit if you are traveling through the area. Here are a few of the best things to do in Upper Pine Bottom State Park the next time you visit the area.
Have a Picnic
One of the primary uses of Pennsylvania’s smallest state parks is as a picnic area. Because of this, Upper Pine Bottom State Park is a great place to stop for a picnic if you are traveling from the southern part of the PA Grand Canyon to points west.
The park features several well-kept picnic tables situated along the banks of Upper Pine Bottom Run. This is definitely a scenic spot for a quick rest.
If you look closely, you might also see the ruined foundations of a pavilion that once stood in the park.
Enjoy the Beautiful Waterfall
Upper Pine Bottom Run bisects the park as the stream cascades down the hill towards Pine Creek and is quite a scenic stream. However, the most beautiful part is actually created by a tributary.
Located at the northwestern end of the park, this unnamed tributary tumbles into Upper Pine Bottom Run and has a small 5-6 foot waterfall right near its end.
While it’s likely that this waterfall dries up during the summer months and when water levels are low, if you can catch it when water levels are high, it’s a beautiful spot.
It’s also quite easy to view as this small waterfall is located just across Upper Pine Bottom Run from one of the park’s picnic tables.
Go Fishing
The other great thing about Upper Pine Bottom Park’s stream is that it’s a great spot to go fishing.
During the fishing season, Upper Pine Bottom Run is stocked by the Fish and Game Commission, so you’ll be able to find trout along the waterway here.
It’s worth noting, however, that the stream is quite narrow in the park and flanked by a stone wall, so this probably isn’t the best spot for those wanting to go fly fishing.
Explore the Surrounding State Forest
Upper Pine Bottom State Park is a great parking and jumping-off point for enjoying the incredible beauty of Tiadaghton State Forest.
This nearly 150,000-acre forest surrounds the park and features many great opportunities for outdoor recreation. Three trails (the Brandon Trail, the Ott Fork Trail, and the Plantation Trail) have trailheads near the park and can be found on the forest’s map.
All three of these trails offer access into the state forest’s interior and can be used by hikers, bicycles, and horseback riders.
How to Get to Upper Pine Bottom State Park
Finding Upper Pine Bottom State Park is easy if you know where to look, but it’s also very easy to miss. In fact, when I was first visiting, I drove right past the park and had to turn around.
Upper Pine Bottom State Park can be found along Route 44 in northern Lycoming County at the following coordinates: 41.318789, -77.420695.
The dirt parking area is located just alongside the road, and from the parking area, you can very easily see the entirety of Upper Pine Bottom State Park.
Looking for more places to visit nearby? Check out Lebo Vista, the Piper Aviation Museum, and the Bohen Falls Trail.
[Click here for information on how to use the coordinates in this article to find your destination.]
Hi Jim …. Being a Williamsport resident, I have driven past Upper Pine Bottom State park many times in traveling up the Pine Creek Valley. —- Just last week I did a hike up The Plantation trail. This trail is unmarked & there is no sign for it (other than its location on the state forest or Pine Creek valley maps). But it is a great little hike (uphill the whole way from the parking spot). A great hike to get your heart level pumping. Once on top of the mountain this trail intersects with a piece of the Hayneville ATV trails. Even though there are no trail markings the trail itself is well defined. —- Also, the Ott Fork Trail, is another great hike. This trail is actually right across the road (route 44) from the parking spot of the Plantation Trail. I did a hike on Ott Fork last summer & it is a beautiful area. The trail follows the little mountain stream up thru the valley for most of its length. Ott Fork is also unmarked but is well defined & easy to follow. Once on top of the mountain, Ott Fork trail will intersect with a dirt forest road that is labeled on the state forest map as well. —- Both trails are a great hike & I highly recommend them. —- Parking is available for a couple vehicles right along route 44 at the trailhead for both trails. There is a wooden sign that marks the Ott Fork trail. Planation Trail (although no sign marking it) is directly across the road from Ott Fork Trail. —– I have not yet hiked on The Brandon trail —- Thanks for traveling thru PA Jim & letting us know about all of those out of the way places. Sincerely, Jim G.