Longhouse Scenic Drive reopens in time for leaf season
Trending
Just in time for peak fall foliage, the Allegheny National Forest has reopened Longhouse Scenic Drive to through traffic, providing visitors with renewed access to one of northwestern Pennsylvania’s premier autumn travel destinations.
The reopening comes as communities across the region prepare to welcome travelers seeking vibrant fall colors, scenic drives, outdoor recreation, and local tourism experiences. Longhouse Scenic Drive will help visitors more easily explore the Allegheny National Forest and surrounding communities.
Recent improvements to Longhouse Scenic Drive -- one of the largest road repair projects funded under the Great American Outdoors Act -- includes repaving miles of roadway, repairing a landslide area, replacing guide rails, and updating road signs to improve the visitor experience.
This stretch of construction is part of a larger effort to modernize and strengthen one of the Allegheny National Forest’s most iconic scenic routes. Funding from the Great American Outdoors Act helped design a project to repair the road and make it more resilient, safe, and better connected to the natural landscape. Recent work on Longhouse Scenic Drive - one of the largest road repair projects funded under the Great American Outdoors Act - has already included repaving miles of scenic road, repairing a landslide area, replacing guide rails, and updating road signs to improve the visitor experience.
The project also includes replacing 156 undersized culverts and installing two aquatic organism passages. The upgrades help protect the road from flood damage and ensure that fish and other aquatic species can move freely through streams. Improved stream connectivity has been shown to strengthen ecosystems, reduce flood risk, and support recreational opportunities tied to vibrant fisheries.
The road connects Route 59 to recreation sites including Jakes Rocks, Dewdrop, Elijah Run and Kiasutha. In total, the work will rehabilitate about 11 miles of paved road, giving visitors a smoother, safer drive along this popular route. A $12.3 million construction contract was awarded to Bob Cummins Construction of Bradford, Pa.
Longhouse Scenic Drive is a 36-mile loop byway that winds along the shores of the Allegheny Reservoir, offering some of the area’s most spectacular views of fall foliage. The route connects visitors to scenic overlooks, recreational opportunities, and the natural beauty that makes the Allegheny National Forest a popular destination for travelers throughout the year.