Ole Covered Wagon Tour: A Step Back in Time
- by LaKeshia Knarr
- July 31, 2018
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Looking for something unique to do in the Pennsylvania Wilds this summer?
Well, look no further!
Last year for my birthday, my husband and I were excited to find the Ole Covered Wagon Tours offered in the Pine Creek Gorge, a.k.a. the PA Grand Canyon.
The tours depart about 11 miles from Wellsboro and travel down the Pine Creek Rail Trail, a level surface perfect for such an outing.
Watching the horse-drawn wagons, specially designed with comfortable seating for the trips, trot down the path really does take you back to a time long gone.
The tours are provided by Ole Covered Wagon Tours, a family-owned business located in Tioga County. The guides offer details about the history of the valley and provide fun facts along the journey, helping you to imagine the gorge long before the existing rail trail was built. You see fragments of that history: an old stone mile marker used when the trains were operating or a memorial to the Civilian Conservation Corps.
We went on the Summer Waterfall Ride, which took us to the foot of the Turkey Trail. The steep trail begins at Leonard Harrison State Park, adjacent to the popular vista. I’d been down the top portion of the trail; however, this was my first time getting up close to the beautiful waterfalls near the end of the trail. The hike took some energy, but was welcomed, as it was a warm day and the trail takes you up under the trees and into cool shade.
Blooming flowers lined the Rail Trail in a way that made another rider comment, “it looks as though someone came out here and just dumped a bunch of seeds,” and wildlife made itself known. A small turtle crossed the path, bringing our wagon to a halt at one point, and we also saw blue heron, Canada geese, and various other birds along the creek.
We love taking tours when we travel (ghost tours, port tours, walking tours… you name it), so we were pretty excited to find one that showcased many elements of the area so beautifully. It was a relaxing four-hour journey and, overall, a great way to spend the day.
Next time you’re exploring the Pine Creek Valley & PA Grand Canyon of the Pennsylvania Wilds, consider taking a step back in time to experience your very own covered wagon expedition.
