Bedford County, Pennsylvania, is a destination where you can go beyond the expected. Bedford is where you can leave garden-variety visitor activities behind to seek adventure and experience local culture and surprise.
Explorers, creators, caregivers, and historians all have something unique to discover here in south-central west Pennsylvania. From an adrenaline-pumping racetrack to limestone caverns, serene lakes, and quirky roadside attractions, visitors come to enjoy its rich heritage, natural beauty and welcoming spirit. These itinerary stops will get you started.
Check out the unique way the vertical beams fan out on this historical bridge
1. Shawnee Lake Trail and Colvin Covered Bridge
Lake Leisure
For a peaceful outdoor escape, head to this trail that loops around the lake in Shawnee State Park. Hikers, bikers, and nature enthusiasts can enjoy the wide, 3.5-mile trail that rings the water’s edge and is ideal to spot birds and wildlife. About a five-minute drive away you’ll come to the historic Colvin Covered Bridge, which spans the Shawnee Creek.
Built in 1894, the red bridge is notable for its unique vertical beams which angle outwards towards each end from the middle. It’s possible to park nearby and walk up to it for a closer look, just note that it is still used to transport cars safely across the creek, which itself is a popular spot for fishing.
Enjoy watching from the stands as the dirt flies during some wild rides at the racetrack. Jason Walls/WRT Speedworks
2. Bedford Fairgrounds Speedway
Start your engines
Just a mile south of Bedford, Pennsylvania, roars this speedway, a local institution and one of the oldest dirt racetracks in the state, having held its first race in 1936. In the early decades, races were only during the week of the annual fair, but then became more frequent starting in 1965. Since then, the track has seen famous names including Mario Andretti and Ted Horn.
These days, the races run from spring through autumn,attracting fans from across Pennsylvania and beyond. Visitors can cheer on stock car drivers in high-performance Super Late Models, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks, and more. For those wanting a closer look, meet-and-greet sessions with drivers and pit tours can offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the skills required to keep these machines racing.
The museum preserves and celebrates the lesser-known art of American coverlet making. Edward Denny, Atlas Obscura contributor
3. National Museum of the American Coverlet
Woven history
Step inside the National Museum of the American Coverlet to discover centuries of textile craftsmanship. The museum’s collection spans from early 19th-century Jacquard coverlets to modern woven art, illuminating the stories, traditions, and artistry of American weavers.
Unlike quilts, which are created from existing fabrics, coverlets are woven from scratch and generally fall into two categories: “Geometrics” are based on squares and circles, while “figured and fancy” coverlets contain curvilinear imagery like flowers, animals and other motifs.
Inside you’ll see dozens of coverlets, some from the 18th century, as well as looms, and learn how the museum was founded to preserve this underrepresented American art form. Exhibits highlight regional techniques, historical influences, and the ingenuity of artisans who turned simple threads into colorful, complex patterns.
This quirky local landmark has been preserved through community efforts.
4. The Coffee Pot
Lincoln Landmark
The Coffee Pot, built in 1927, is an instantly recognizable Bedford, Pennsylvania, roadside icon. Shaped like, you guessed it, a giant coffee pot, the 18-foot structure was originally a lunch counter attached to a gas station, and later a bar for a hotel
It’s a welcome example of novelty Americana architecture and a beloved part of the local landscape. In fact, when the future of the Coffee Pot, known to many as the Koontz Coffee Pot, was in jeopardy in the early 2000s, local groups purchased it and moved it across the street to the fairgrounds, where it was restored. You can’t get coffee here, but make sure you patronize one of the many local shops just a few minutes away to complete your trip.
Oh give me a home / where the bison all roam. Courtesy of Bison Corral Gift Shop
5. The Bison Corral
Don’t call them buffalo
You may not realize it, but many of the roads we travel in the U.S. today follow the huge paths first carved out by movements of the American bison. Once hunted almost to extinction, bison are now making a big comeback thanks to efforts like the Bison Corral.
Start your visit at the gift shop on the south side of Route 30 and pick up some feed; it's open April through December with special winter hours. Then head down the road to see these 2,000-pound, free-roaming wonders in their natural habitat.
Extend your stay here with one of two guest houses available for rent, which each come equipped with walking trails, bass pond, and picturesque views of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, as the buffalo bison roam.
The resort is notable for its wellness history and the famous figures who have stayed here.
6. Omni Bedford Springs Resort
Luxurious Lodgings
A National Historic Landmark, Omni Bedford Springs Resort, is renowned for its mineral springs, luxury accommodations, and spa treatments. The resort has hosted presidents, dignitaries, and travelers of all types seeking wellness and relaxation.
The land was used by Native Americans for its curative mineral springs. In 1796, it was purchased by a doctor who saw the potential for stagecoach travelers to stop and relax in its springs along their journeys. U.S. presidents who have stayed here include Thomas Jefferson and later James Buchanan, who is said to have referred to it as his “summer White House.”
Guests can stroll manicured gardens across more than 2,000 acres, soak in spring-fed pools, or enjoy fine dining in historic settings. There are indoor and outdoor pools, yoga classes, a fitness center, and the full service spa features a “Bedford Bath Ritual,” a nod to the area’s historic springs.
The limestone cave system within Coral Caverns holds lots of local folklore.
7. Coral Caverns
Unexpected underground
Beneath Bedford County’s hills lie Coral Caverns, a little-known limestone cave system that invites explorers into its stalactite- and stalagmite-filled passages. Legends tell of moonshiners (Bedford was home to the Whiskey Rebellion, after all) and adventurous spelunkers who once navigated these underground corridors, adding an air of mystery to the natural wonder.
Guided tours lead visitors through illuminated chambers, narrow tunnels, and open caverns while explaining geological formations, local folklore, and stories of early explorers. The caverns’ cool air and winding paths take visitors past sparkling calcite deposits and through tales of historic underground escapades.
In a state with many heavily advertised cave experiences, this subterranean adventure may be under the radar, but it over performs in history and beauty. Just 15 minutes from Bedford, Pennsylvania, the caves are open Saturdays and Sundays, April through October.
These mountainous miles welcome visitors seeking sporting adventure or simply relaxation, no matter the season. Jon Dawson
8. Blue Knob State Park
Four-season fun
Blue Knob State Park is a year-round playground for outdoor adventurers. Hikers and mountain bikers can explore miles of trails through rugged forests, while winter visitors enjoy skiing and snowboarding on the park’s slopes.
At 3,130 feet, Blue Knob is the second-highest peak in Pennsylvania, offering panoramic views of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and beyond. Picnic areas, camping sites, and ample opportunity to watch the local wildlife make it easy to spend the day immersed in the region’s natural beauty. There’s no overcrowded, noisy campgrounds here; Blue Know is known for its solitude and spacious areas where you can truly get away.
Whether you’re seeking an adrenaline-fueled adventure or a peaceful escape into the woods, Blue Knob State Park can match your mood.
