I was on a road trip through central PA during October 2021 looking for a place to stretch our legs, take some pictures, and get a good view. Not far off our route we came across Tidioute Overlook. The overlook itself didn’t have a fee to enter, is open during daylight hours basically April to mid December, is not far from the parking lot and is located right off Route 337. This could be a lovely picnic, picture, or putzing spot if you’re ever in the area. There were 2 trail options leading from the parking lot. One trail lead straight to the river overlook while the other was about a 5 minute ambling walk through the woods to the town overlook then to the river overlook. The views include either the historic town of Tidioute or the Allegheny River Valley and the Allegheny National Forest. When we arrived we were the only car in the parking lot and decided to take the longer trail on the way in- later taking the shorter trail on the way back out. We turned what we thought would be a short pit stop (there is a glorified porta john located in the parking lot) into almost an hour and a half stop off while we explored and enjoyed the views.
When we were visiting it was lovely weather, the leaves were changing and we desperately needed some time out of the car. We got lucky nobody else was there for the majority of our visit. I can easily see this as a place that would get overrun and crowded feeling very quickly. About the time we were packing up the camera gear and ready to get back on the road a group of 10 or so arrived for a picnic. Even the limited amount of time we shared the small clearing gave us the sense that this is a place that’s beautiful if it can be enjoyed alone but wouldn’t be as thoroughly appreciated when too many people are pushing around trying to get pictures or all standing in the small clearing of the overlook.
I won’t spoil the reading material but according to the signs at the overlook Tidioute is known for being the world’s first flowing oil well which took place in 1860. Tidioute has a rich history of a town transforming to survive. First as an oil town, then as the oil dried up the town refocused on the timber industry, then a cutlery company which relocated to New York in 1911.
I particularly like overlooks, especially ones that offer a variety of scenery. Between the town overlook, the river and the trees there was plenty to view and photograph. If you’re ever in the area I would suggest a stop off to enjoy the view and learn a bit of history. Definitely keep this spot in mind for potential leaf peeping. The paths are both short. The path from the parking lot to the river overlook is probably not even 1/8 of a mile making it a much more accessible overlook than many others with long winding hiking trails.
