10 Amazing Natural Wonders Hiding In Plain Sight In Pennsylvania — No Hiking Required
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
Pennsylvania boasts some of the country’s most spectacular natural wonders. Many of those natural wonders are tucked away in secluded areas, requiring visitors to embark on a hiking trail. The good news is you’ll discover some stunning natural wonders in Pennsylvania that require no hiking at all. Here are 10 of them.
Drink in spectacular views of Pennsylvania from high atop Mount Davis, the highest point in Pennsylvania. Mount Davis sits at 3,213 feet and boasts an observation tower.
Boulder Field in Hickory Run State Park dates back 15,000 years, after the last ice age. The massive field of boulders, a National Natural Landmark and a State Natural Park Area, is flanked by trees that may one day cover the boulders. Visitors are welcome to visit Boulder Field but are asked not to vandalize or to move any of the rocks. Take Boulder Field Road, which is closed in the winter, directly to the field. Click here to learn more.
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Nothing in nature quite rivals the beauty of a natural waterfall like Cucumber Falls at Ohiopyle State Park. And, even better? You don't have to hike to get there. A parking lot sits near Cucumber Falls, providing visitors with a breathtaking overhead view of the waterfall. For a closer look, take the staircase to the base of the falls.
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PA's famous, at least with Pennsylvanians, for its potholes. But, no pothole is quite as impressive as Archbald Pothole in Archbald Pothole State Park. Dating back 20,000 years, the unique natural wonder is 38 feet deep and 42 by 24 feet wide, at its widest point. Click here to read more.
Coudersport Ice Mine could be described as a natural wonder. It certainly is a natural phenomenon. The compact mine forms large chunks of ice in the summer and that ice melts in the winter. So, if you want to see the ice, visit during the warmer months. Click here to read more.
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Dingmans Falls also earns a spot on this list of natural wonders as the second largest waterfall in PA with a 130 foot drop. Enjoy a leisurely (and simple) stroll along the wooden boardwalk - which is handicap accessible and features benches for those who need to take a rest - to get to Dingmans Falls.
Cherry Springs State Park beckons stargazers of all ages and all abilities: Newcomers, seasoned, and professional astronomers flock to this natural wonder. Flanked by the Susquehannock State Forest, Cherry Springs State Park, one of the darkest spots on the eastern seaboard, promises an unspoiled view of the nighttime sky. Simply park at the nearby parking lot and make your way to the Night Sky Viewing Area on Route 44.
Climb aboard a boat for your tour of Penn's Cave, a spectacular natural wonder that also happens to be the country's only all water cavern. Embark on a 45 minute tour that will give you an up close look of stalactites and stalagmites, many of which resemble such famous forms as The Statue of Liberty.
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Centralia is perhaps one of both PA's and the country's most storied ghost towns. A fire sparked in the mine below the town in 1962, eventually chasing all but a dozen residents from their homes. The underground fire continues to burn today with some experts asserting that it may continue to burn for several hundred more years.
Okay, so maybe it's not really a natural wonder, but the Austin Dam remains a significant part of Pennsylvania history. The man-made dam collapsed on September 30, 1911, killing 78 people and flattening the town. Today, the remains of the dam are the centerpiece of Austin Dam Memorial Park. Click here to learn more.
Discover the beauty of some of the amazing natural wonders in Pennsylvania and, if you find yourself overcome by wanderlust, hit the road on this natural wonders road trip through PA.
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Featured Addresses
3613 State Route 534, White Haven, PA 18661
124 Main Street, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
176 Ice Mine Road, Coudersport, PA 16915
4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, PA 16915
960 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Archbald, PA 18403
222 Penns Cave Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828