If you’re driving through the Laurel Highlands looking for a jagged, snow-capped peak that pierces the clouds like the Rockies, you’re going to be disappointed. Mount Davis, the highest mountain in PA, is a bit of a tease. It sits at 3,213 feet above sea level. That sounds respectable until you realize the surrounding plateau is already pretty high up. You don’t "climb" Mount Davis so much as you gently ascend it. It’s subtle.
Honestly, if it weren't for the massive observation tower at the summit, you might not even realize you’ve reached the top. Pennsylvania’s geography is weird like that. We don't have the dramatic vertical relief of the West. Instead, we have these ancient, weathered ridges that feel more like the earth’s wrinkled skin than a mountain range. But there is a specific kind of magic in the Forbes State Forest that you just won't find anywhere else in the Commonwealth.
The Geography of the Highest Mountain in PA
Most people think the Poconos hold the title. They don't. Mount Davis is tucked away in Somerset County, specifically in Negro Mountain. Now, the name "Negro Mountain" carries a lot of weight and history. It was named back in the 1700s after an African American man named Nemesis who died heroically during a skirmish with Native Americans while accompanying a party led by Colonel Thomas Cresap. Local historians, including those documented by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, have kept this story alive because it anchors the mountain to the state's frontier roots.
Geologically, we’re looking at a massive spine of Pottsville Conglomerate. It’s tough rock. That’s why it’s still here. While the rest of the landscape eroded over millions of years, this specific ridge held its ground. It’s part of the Allegheny Mountains, which are technically part of the vast Appalachian Plateau.
The weather up there is unpredictable. Seriously. You could be enjoying a balmy 70-degree day in Pittsburgh or Uniontown, but by the time you reach the summit of the highest mountain in PA, the wind is whipping through the stunted oaks and it’s ten degrees colder. The high-altitude environment creates a "boreal" feel. You’ll see plants and trees that usually belong much further north in Canada. It’s a pocket of the North tucked into the Mid-Atlantic.
Finding the High Point
Driving there is half the fun. You take Route 219 and start winding through small towns that feel like they’ve been frozen in a more industrial era. Then you hit the backroads. Look for SR 2004. You’ll pass Amish farms and dense stands of hemlock.
The actual high point is marked by a large, flat rock. It's not a peak. It's more of a "high spot" on a long, sloping ridge. If you stand on that rock, you are officially higher than anyone else in Pennsylvania. But because the trees are so thick, you can’t see a thing. That’s why the Bureau of Forestry built the tower. Without it, the view would basically just be a lot of leaves and some very confused squirrels.
What it’s Actually Like at the Summit
The tower is the centerpiece. It’s a steel structure that’s seen its fair share of rust and paint jobs over the decades. Climbing it is the only way to get the payoff. Once you’re at the top, the 360-degree view opens up. On a clear day—and I mean a really clear day—you can see deep into Maryland and West Virginia.
The landscape looks like a green ocean.
One thing you’ll notice immediately is the silence. Unless the wind is howling, it’s eerily quiet. There’s no highway noise. No sirens. Just the sound of the wind through the scrub oak. The trees at the summit are stunted and twisted, a phenomenon known as "krummholz," though they aren't as extreme as what you’d see above the treeline in New Hampshire. Here, it’s caused by the thin, acidic soil and the brutal ice storms that coat the ridge every winter.
The Rock Fields
If you wander away from the tower, follow the trails toward the Baughman Rocks. This is where the geology gets cool. You’ll find massive boulders split by freeze-thaw cycles. It looks like a giant took a sledgehammer to the mountain. These "periglacial" features are remnants from the last Ice Age. Even though the glaciers didn't quite reach this far south in Pennsylvania, the intense cold cracked the bedrock into the maze of crevices you see today.
It’s a bit of a hidden gem for photographers. The way the lichen grows on the rocks—splashes of neon green and muted grey—makes the whole place look like a set from a fantasy movie.
Myths and Misconceptions About PA Peaks
I hear this all the time: "I thought Blue Knob was the highest."
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Nope.
Blue Knob is definitely more "mountain-like." It has a higher vertical drop, which is why it’s a premier ski destination. In fact, Blue Knob’s summit is only about 3,146 feet. It loses to Mount Davis by about 67 feet. That’s not much, but in the world of high-pointing, it’s everything.
Another common mistake is looking toward the east. While the Poconos are famous, they are actually quite low compared to the western ridges. Camelback Mountain or Mount Minsi? They aren't even in the top ten. The real height is all in the Allegheny Front. This is a massive geological transition zone where the land just steps up into the sky.
Highpointing: A Weirdly Addictive Hobby
There is a subculture of people called "Highpointers." Their goal is to reach the highest point in every state. For them, the highest mountain in PA is a "drive-up." It’s considered one of the easier ones on the East Coast, especially compared to Mount Marcy in New York or Mount Katahdin in Maine.
But easy doesn't mean boring.
The Highpointers Club often leaves logs or registers at these sites. Reading through them is a trip. You’ll see entries from people who just finished Denali in Alaska and people who are on their very first state high point. It’s a communal experience. You’re all standing on the "roof" of the state together.
Seasonal Changes and When to Visit
Don't go in the dead of winter unless you have four-wheel drive and a death wish. The roads up to Mount Davis aren't always the first to be plowed. Snow drifts can bury the guardrails.
- Spring: It’s muddy. The "rhododendron hells" (as locals call the thickets) are lush, but the black flies can be brutal.
- Summer: This is peak time. It’s the best place in the state to escape a heatwave. When Philly and Pittsburgh are sweltering in 95-degree humidity, Mount Davis is a breezy 78.
- Fall: Late September to mid-October. The maples and oaks turn shades of fire. Because of the elevation, the leaves change here about two weeks earlier than in the valleys below.
- Winter: Cross-country skiing is great if you can get there. It’s desolate and beautiful, but the tower can be dangerous when coated in "rime ice."
Practical Tips for Your Trip
First off, cell service is spotty. Do not rely on Google Maps to get you back out once you’re in the heart of the Forbes State Forest. Download your maps offline.
Second, pack layers. I can't stress this enough. I’ve seen people show up in flip-flops and tank tops only to be shivering within ten minutes. The highest mountain in PA creates its own microclimate.
Also, bring water. There aren't many facilities at the summit. There’s a picnic area and a vault toilet (which is exactly what it sounds like), but no vending machines or gift shops. It’s a state forest, not a theme park. Keep it that way.
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Nearby Stops to Make it a Day Trip
Since you’re already in the Laurel Highlands, you might as well see the other hits.
- Ohiopyle State Park: About 40 minutes away. You can see the waterfalls or go whitewater rafting on the Youghiogheny River.
- Fallingwater: Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece is nearby. You need reservations weeks in advance, but it’s worth it.
- Flight 93 National Memorial: A sobering but incredibly well-done tribute located in Shanksville, which isn't a long drive from the mountain.
Why Mount Davis Matters
In a state dominated by steel, coal, and agriculture, Mount Davis represents the wilder side of Pennsylvania. It’s a reminder that the land has its own history that predates William Penn or the industrial revolution. Standing on the highest mountain in PA, you feel the age of the earth. These mountains are among the oldest in the world. They’ve been worn down by time, but they still hold the high ground.
It isn't about the ego of climbing a massive peak. It’s about the perspective. From the tower, the world looks manageable. The tiny towns in the distance look like toys. Your problems feel a bit smaller when you’re standing on 300-million-year-old rock.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To make the most of your trip to the summit, follow this specific plan.
- Check the webcam: There isn't one on the mountain itself, but check the weather for Salisbury, PA. If it says it’s cloudy there, the summit will likely be stuck inside a literal cloud with zero visibility.
- Target the High Point Trail: Instead of just driving to the tower, park at the lot on Shelby Road and hike the High Point Trail. It’s an easy 1.5-mile loop that takes you through the boulder fields and provides much more context than just hopping out of a car.
- Visit the Picnic Area: There is a specific monument dedicated to the geological survey of the mountain. It’s a good spot for a photo that proves you were actually at the highest point, rather than just a random forest.
- Clean your gear: If you’ve been hiking in other states, wash your boots. Invasive species and fungi like the spotted lanternfly or various blights can be transported on muddy soles. Let's keep the highest point healthy.
- Bring Binoculars: You can see the wind turbines on the distant ridges. It’s a fascinating juxtaposition of ancient geology and modern energy production.
Pennsylvania might not have the tallest mountains, but it has Mount Davis. And honestly, standing at 3,213 feet with the wind in your face and the whole Commonwealth at your feet? That’s more than enough.