Remote attractions in Pennsylvania that are 100% worth the drive

If you’re looking for an escape that’s off the beaten track, these 10 unique attractions in Pennsylvania promise unforgettable experiences.

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Sometimes the journey is about the destination, and these secluded but spectacular attractions in Pennsylvania prove it. Though it may take a little extra time to reach these remote spots, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views, historic significance, and scenic adventure. Read on to discover the out-of-the-way gems you’ll want to visit during your next weekend away.

Meadowcroft Rockshelter–Avella (Washington County)

A rural area in southwestern Pennsylvania, just an hour’s drive from Pittsburgh, is home to one of the oldest known sites of human habitation in North America. The large rock shelter at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, perched on a bluff overlooking a creek, was used by prehistoric humans for protection and cover as early as 19,000 years ago.

Archaeologists have unearthed more than two million artifacts at the site, offering insight into the lives of the hunters and gatherers who once occupied it. Beyond the rock shelter, Meadowcroft also features immersive interpretive villages that visitors can explore, including reconstructions of a 16th-century Native American village, an 18th-century frontier post, and a 19th-century settlement.

Ricketts Glen State Park–Benton (Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan Counties)

Ricketts Glen State Park nearly became a national park, but the Great Depression and the costs of an impending world war dashed those plans. Today, Pennsylvanians enjoy its wild beauty as a state park, home to 22 named waterfalls within a stunning old-growth forest. You can hike the rocky Falls Trail System to see more than 20 waterfalls within the park’s Glens Natural Area. The full Falls Trail is challenging hiking and covers 7.2 miles, but a shorter, 3.2-mile loop lets you experience most of the cascades with less effort.

Pennsylvania Grand Canyon–Wellsboro (Tioga and Lycoming Counties)

The majestic Pine Creek Gorge, the stunning gorge in north-central Pennsylvania also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, is a bit of a trek from major cities. But the journey promises some of the most spectacular scenery in the state. Stretching nearly 50 miles, the gorge is as deep as 1,450 feet. You can visit by way of two different state parks: Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park, which sit on opposite sides of the gorge. Both are home to several overlooks, in addition to hiking trails where you can explore the gorge beyond the view.

Cherry Springs State Park—Coudersport (Potter County)

Did you know that Pennsylvania is home to a certified International Dark Sky Park? And that it’s one of our very own state parks? Cherry Springs State Park is necessarily a remote locale because it’s far from the light pollution that plagues urban areas and keeps the naked eye from seeing a sky full of stars. On a clear night at Cherry Springs, you can see tens of thousands of stars as well as celestial bodies like the Milky Way. You can visit the park’s Night Sky Public Viewing Area for great views of the sky, or you can even camp at the park and watch the stars all night long.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary–Kempton (Berks County)

Tucked along the Kittatinny Ridge of eastern Pennsylvania, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is a unique place to see and learn about birds of prey like osprey, vultures, falcons, hawks, and other raptors. Reaching the sanctuary’s tallest overlook, North Lookout, requires hiking a rugged trail to the top of the mountain, but the payoff is worth the effort: During fall migration, hundreds of raptors may soar past the overlook in a single day. While migration season draws the biggest crowds of both people and birds to Hawk Mountain, you can visit the sanctuary for peaceful hikes, dramatic views, and excellent birdwatching year-round.

Kinzua Bridge State Park–Kane (McKean County)

Once the tallest railroad bridge in the world, McKean County’s Kinzua Bridge now stands partially in ruins, its collapsed towers scattered across the Kinzua Gorge after a tornado tore through in 2003. However, a natural disaster led to a natural wonder, as the remaining structure of the Kinzua Bridge was transformed into the Kinzua Skywalk, a 300-foot-tall pedestrian overlook and the main attraction of Kinzua Bridge State Park. From the Skywalk, visitors get to experience both scenic beauty and industrial history, taking in sweeping 360-degree views of the beautiful gorge while gawking at the massive steel remains of the historic bridge below.

Penn’s Cave–Centre Hall (Centre County)

Penn’s Cave in the center of the state is the only all-water cavern in the United States, and it has attracted visitors for more than 130 years. The most popular way to explore the limestone cave is by way of an underground boat tour, which allows you to see incredible cave formations while learning about its history from informative guides. The site is officially “Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park,” and it includes more activities beyond the cavern, like a farm and wildlife bus tour, and a maze. Still, exploring the flooded cave is what’s most worth the trip.

Cook Forest State Park–Cooksburg (Clarion, Forest, and Jefferson Counties)

Cook Forest State Park in northwestern Pennsylvania is home to its own enchanted forest. The park’s Forest Cathedral Natural Area has some of the oldest—and tallest—trees in the entire Northeast, with towering hemlocks and white pines dating back as far back as the 1500s. Walking the Forest Cathedral’s trails offers a rare glimpse of what the Pennsylvania woods were like before the lumber rush stripped much of the state’s forests. While hiking the old-growth forest is what sets Cook Forest apart, the park also features cozy cabins and scenic canoeing and kayaking on the Clarion River.

Columcille Megalith Park – Bangor (Northampton County)

Columcille Megalith Park feels like a place lifted from the Scottish Isles, and that’s because it was directly inspired by Scotland’s Isle of Iona, a small island off the Scottish coast steeped in Celtic history and tradition. Columcille aims to replicate Iona’s sacred atmosphere in Pennsylvania: The park is filled with more than 90 stone megaliths, which are large stones that either alone or together create prehistoric structures. (For example, Stonehenge is made of megaliths.) You can walk the more than 20 acres of Columcille in quiet contemplation—or in awe at this slice of Pennsylvania woods transformed into something special.

Hyner View State Park–North Bend (Clinton County)

You can visit north-central Pennsylvania’s Hyner View State Park for one of the best views in all the commonwealth, with a scenic overlook offering a breathtaking portrait of the surrounding West Branch Susquehanna River Valley amid Sproul State Forest. And because of the height of the overlook (1,300 feet above the river), Hyner View is also a favorite spot for hang gliding enthusiasts, meaning you can check out a view of both the scenery and of daredevils gliding off the mountain. The overlook makes up most of Hyner View, but you can still enjoy the amenities of a Pennsylvania state park (like camping and swimming opportunities) at nearby Hyner Run State Park.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Related: Discover the magic of the night sky: 7 great places to stargaze in Pennsylvania