With autumn right around the corner, it is time to start thinking about taking a drive to enjoy the bright red, yellow, gold, and orange colors that adorn the mountains and valleys of Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region. We have hundreds of miles of country roads and scenic byways where you can see the bright autumn colors ablaze in the woodlands. There are so many roads in our region to drive and explore, the hardest part is deciding which routes you should take. In this blog story, we feature a trip through Pennsylvania’s Wild Elk Country. This is the first of four blog stories highlighting FALL DRIVING TOUR routes that will take you on a tour through some of the most majestic and scenic views in Pennsylvania. Along the way, you’ll have many opportunities to enjoy the stunning vistas and visit some enchanting and interesting destinations.

ELK COUNTRY
91 miles, 2:15 ride time

This drive offers spectacular mountains with stunning views in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Wild Elk Country. The Quehanna Wild Area is a destination in and of itself. Wykoff Run Road is one of the top-rated motorcycle drives in Pennsylvania, and it features amazing sweeps and turns following a photogenic mountain stream with pull-offs where you can see several beautiful waterfalls. It’s worth taking in the incredible view from Top of the World.

• Start at the Elk Country Visitor Center (use 950 Winslow Hill Road, Benezette, in your GPS), and follow Homestead Drive for 0.6 miles out to Winslow Hill Road.

• Turn left on Winslow Hill Road and ride 0.9 miles down the hill to the Benezette Hotel, then turn left and continue one block to Route 555.

• Turn right on Route 555 and ride for 3.0 miles to the intersection with Quehanna Highway/Route 2004.

• Turn left on Quehanna Highway and continue for 14.4 miles.

• Take a sharp left turn at the intersection with Wykoff Run Road/Route 2001 and enjoy the views along this scenic road for 9.9 miles as you continue to Sinnemahoning.

• Wykoff Run Road ends at Route 120 in Sinnemahoning. At this intersection, turn left onto Route 120 and ride for 20.7 miles to Emporium.

• At the intersection with Route 155, bear left to continue on Route 120 for 20.1 miles through Emporium to St. Marys.

• Turn right on South Michael Street to stay on Route 120. In 0.1 mile, take a sharp left turn as you follow the signs for Route 120 West/Route 255 South.

• Continue on Route 120 West/Route 255 South for 0.2 miles to the intersection with State Street/Route 120. Stay straight to continue on Route 255 and follow this road for 8.6 miles.

• Turn left at the intersection with Caledonia Road and ride for 3.7 miles to Route 555.

• Turn left on Route 555 and head back to Benezette for some more elk viewing. To get back to the Elk Country Visitor Center, drive for Route 555 for 6.7 miles to Winslow Hill Road and take a left, then a right at Benezette Hotel to stay on Winslow Hill Road. Ride for 0.9 miles, then turn right onto Homestead Drive and continue 0.6 miles to the Elk Country Visitor Center parking lot.

Points of Interest & Side Trips

Dr. Colson E. Blakeslee Memorial Recreation Area– 24-acre natural area and winner of PA Wilds Great Places Award.

Quehanna Wild Area– 50,000 acres of natural beauty and the Quehanna Trail.

Marion Brooks Natural Area– One of the largest white birch stands in Pennsylvania.

George B. Stevenson Dam-Spectacular views of Sinnemahoning State Park and the First Fork Valley.

Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning State Park– Educational state-of-the-art interpretive exhibits, view eagles, elk, and other wildlife.

Hoover Farm Elk Viewing Area– Handicap-accessible elk and wildlife viewing blind overlooking food plots.

Bucktail Monument– Memorial to the Bucktail Regiment, known for their marksmanship, who answered President Lincoln’s call for volunteers during the Civil War.

Top of the World (Bucktail Overlook/Mason Hill Overlook)- Commanding 360-degree panoramic views of Sinnemahoning watershed mountains and valleys.

Little Museum– One of Pennsylvania’s Top 10 seasonal museums.

Sizerville State Park– 386 acres surrounded by nearly a half-million acres of state forests.

Cameron County Canvas– Beautiful historic murals throughout Emporium.

Artisan Center at Cameron County Chamber of Commerce-Shop for handmade items.

Straub Brewery Visitor Center– Free tours, gift shop, and Tap Room.

Cross on the Hill– Interfaith Memorial stands on a hill overlooking the Spring Run Valley.

Mount Zion Historical Park– Stone walkway with over 600 granite plaques honoring local veterans, Civil War monument, a special “Veterans’ Walkway” and “Citizens’ Walkway”, an information kiosk, gristmills, and benches recognizing local families, and much more.

Find more outdoor adventures in Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region online at VisitPAGO.com.