Top 5 Hidden Gems of Buchanan State Forest

What if some of Pennsylvania's greatest treasures aren't in a museum, but hidden deep in its wildest forests?

In this video, we're going far off the beaten path to explore Buchanan State Forest, a massive 72,000-acre expanse of public land in south-central Pennsylvania. It's a place most people only see as a green blur from the highway, but for those willing to explore its gravel roads and quiet trails, it holds some of the state's best-kept secrets.

Join me as I count down my top five hidden gems, each with its own incredible story. We'll uncover layers of history, marvels of abandoned engineering, and breathtaking natural beauty. This isn't about crowded tourist stops; it's about the thrill of discovery.

IN THIS ADVENTURE, WE'LL EXPLORE:

Gem #5: The Sideling Hill POW Camp
Walk through the ruins of a site with a complex past, from a 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps work camp to a holding center for German prisoners of war during WWII.

Gem #4: The Drivable Trails
Get behind the wheel of a 4x4 and take on the rugged, minimally maintained service roads that lead deep into the remote corners of the forest for a true off-road adventure.

Gem #3: Scenic Overlooks
Rise above the forest floor to witness the stunning vistas from Summit Road and Bark Road, offering massive, patchwork views of the Pennsylvania landscape.

Gem #2: The South Pennsylvania Railroad Aqueduct
Discover a stunning 199-foot-long stone aqueduct built in the 1880s by Sicilian masons—without a single drop of mortar—and abandoned before it was ever used.

Gem #1: The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike
Hike or bike through a post-apocalyptic landscape on an 8.5-mile stretch of "America's Superhighway" that was left to decay in 1968, and journey through the eerie darkness of the mile-long Sideling Hill Tunnel.

If you love exploring forgotten history and incredible natural wonders, be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more adventures off the beaten path!

What are your favorite hidden gems in your home state? Let me know in the COMMENTS below!

Thanks for watching, and remember to visit these special places respectfully and leave no trace.