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State Park Series: Upper Pine Bottom is small but mighty

By HUNTER SMITH hsmith@lockhaven.com 5 min read

HANEYVILLE -- At just five acres, Upper Pine Bottom is Pennsylvania's second smallest state park, but don't let its size deceive you.

Tucked along a quiet stretch of Upper Pine Bottom Run, the park is a convenient stop for travelers visiting the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and an ideal starting point for a day exploring the Tiadaghton State Forest.

Located in Lycoming County, a few miles from the Clinton County line and halfway between Haneyville and Waterville, the park sits just off Pa. Route 44 in Cummings Township. Little known even among locals, it is one of several picturesque public recreation areas in and around the Pine Creek Gorge to explore.

Providing visitors with a welcome rest area, people often use the parking area at this small roadside picnic site as a starting point for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and hunting in the surrounding Tiadaghton State Forest.

Maintained by staff from nearby Little Pine State Park, Upper Pine Bottom is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, whenever you need a quick breath in the outdoors.

Here's what you need to know before you visit:

HISTORY

Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, is a 47-mile gorge carved through the Allegheny Plateau by Pine Creek. Upper Pine Bottom State Park sits along one of the creek's tributaries, Upper Pine Bottom Run, which serves as the namesake for the park.

The area's earliest known inhabitants were the Susquehannock people. Following the tribe's decline due to disease and conflicts with the Five Nations of the Iroquois, the Iroquois encouraged other displaced Indigenous groups, including the Shawnee and Lenape, to settle in the region. The land was used by Iroquois and Algonkian peoples as a hunting ground, and the Seneca considered the gorge a sacred place.

Following the French and Indian War, control of the land shifted to the American colonies and later the United States. While many Native Americans eventually left Pennsylvania, some small groups continued living in the remote Pine Creek Gorge area into the early 19th century, around the time of the War of 1812.

Upper Pine Bottom Run was once surrounded by extensive stands of white pine. The area's forests attracted the lumber industry, which later removed much of the old-growth timber through widespread logging.

The creation of Tiadaghton State Forest in 1898 marked a new era of conservation in the region, and by the mid-1920s, the area that would become Upper Pine Bottom State Park had been developed as a public camping area.

The Civilian Conservation Corps operated a camp along Upper Pine Bottom Run during the 1930s and completed improvements to the site. The park was later transferred to the Bureau of State Parks in 1962, becoming part of Pennsylvania's state park system.

ACTIVITIES

Picnicking

One of the most popular activities at Upper Pine Bottom State Park is picnicking.

A peaceful stop along the breathtaking journey through the Pine Creek Gorge, the park offers visitors a chance to pull over, stretch their legs and enjoy a meal on a day trip to the renowned Pennsylvania Grand Canyon in Tioga County.

For those traveling by way of Waterville, McConnell's County Store on N. Route 44 is a beloved local stop to pick up a sub to enjoy at one of the park's picnic tables.

Fishing

Upper Pine Bottom Run, which flows through the park, is a prime destination for brown trout fishing.

The stream is designated a Class A Wild Trout Stream, meaning it supports one of Pennsylvania's highest-quality naturally reproducing trout populations. These streams are considered among the state's best angling spots and are managed under Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations.

Because the creek sustains its trout population naturally, it is rarely stocked, making it especially important for visitors to help protect water quality and the surrounding habitat.

Hunting

The park provides easy access to Tiadaghton State Forest, where hunting for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and black bear is a longstanding tradition and popular sport. Hunters are known to travel from across Pennsylvania to pursue game in the Tiadaghton's expansive woodlands.

Hunting is permitted throughout the state forest except within designated safety zones around buildings and picnic areas. Because the park remains open to other visitors during hunting seasons, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources urges hunters to use extreme caution with firearms. Firearms and archery equipment may only be uncased in authorized hunting areas during the appropriate hunting seasons.

Complete information on Pennsylvania hunting laws and regulations is available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc.

Hiking

Upper Pine Bottom State Park provides access to the extensive trail hiking network of Tiadaghton State Forest. The surrounding forest offers more than 600 miles of trails open year-round, ranging in difficulty from steep climbs for experts to relatively flat routes for beginners, children and those with limited mobility.

Winter Recreation

Upper Pine Bottom State Park, like all Pennsylvania state parks, is open year-round, even in the winter.

The park is a popular destination for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with access to more than 50 miles of trails in Tiadaghton State Forest. Before heading out, visitors should check trail difficulty ratings and be prepared for winter conditions.

DCNR publishes a weekly Winter Report during the season, providing updates on snow and ice conditions at state parks. The report includes information on snow and ice depth, as well as the recreational activities available at each park.

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