Reproduced with permission from the Pennsylvania Recreation & Parks 2025 Fall magazine
Amenities such as restrooms, meals, and drinks are all located within a short walking distance to the Trailhead, making your trip comfortable and accessible to all. Enjoy the freedom of exploring the outdoors while not having to worry about the best place to rest and refuel afterwards. Image Credit Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
by Kelli Roberts, Chief Strategy and Communications Officer, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
For me, being outside has always meant relaxation. And in Pennsylvania, there are so many ways to find it — on Lake Erie’s beaches, the ski slopes at Seven Springs and in state parks covering broad swaths of forested woodlands. This fall, outdoor adventurers traveling or living adjacent to the Pennsylvania Turnpike have new opportunities to unwind and discover the state’s scenic beauty.
In September, the PA Turnpike officially cut the ribbon on the Sideling Hill Trailhead, offering easy access to a vast network of trails and historic sites for cyclists and casual explorers. This jumping-off point connects to more than 600 miles of trails within a 25-mile radius, including attractions like Buchanan State Forest, Raystown Lake and BicyclePA Route S.
Located just beyond Sideling Hill Service Plaza’s restricted gates, the trailhead is near the Sideling Hill and Rays Hill abandoned tunnels. Initially built for the unfinished South Pennsylvania Railroad, the tunnels were incorporated into the PA Turnpike’s original, 160-mile mainline. Throughout the 1940s and ’50s, they carried traffic through Bedford and Fulton counties. By the 1960s, they were bypassed to accommodate higher traffic volume.
In 2001, the PA Turnpike sold the tunnels to the Bedford/Fulton Joint Recreation Authority (BFJRA) for $1. Since then, the organization has focused on turning the area, known as The Old PA Pike (TOPP) Trail, into a unique recreational destination. The Pennsylvania Turnpike continues to collaborate with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bedford County Development Association and other agencies to support the BFJRA’s efforts to obtain improvement grants. While still in transition, ongoing and future upgrades are in the works that will make the TOPP trail and nearby pathways a must-do for outdoor enthusiasts statewide.
The partnership between public and private sectors highlights how access to sustainable outdoor recreation destinations can set the stage for innovative economic opportunities and serve as hubs for initiatives that attract new visitors to the area, support small businesses and inspire repeat trips.
This cooperative spirit extended to schools adjacent to the PA Turnpike. When the trailhead’s covered pavilions needed picnic tables, we connected with the Yellow Breeches Educational Center, a Central Pennsylvania elementary and secondary special education school focused on experiential learning. Approximately 20 students who’d expressed interest in the construction trades built four tables — three typical and one meeting ADA requirements — while making a lasting contribution to the site.
The trailhead’s signature, tree-shaped bike washing station represents another first-of-its-kind collaboration between art and welding students at Forbes Road and Southern Fulton High Schools. Inspired by the area’s natural beauty and existing site design, Southern Fulton’s 3D art students, led by teacher Carolyn Mottern and teaching artist Jeremy Waak, conceptualized and designed a functional station. Then, welding students from both high schools, led by Fulton County Area Vocational Technical School welding instructor Bruce Shipley, cut and fabricated its elements, bringing the design to life. Area businesses also pitched in. Mellott Company of Warfordsburg contributed material, time and labor of its expert fabricators, component transportation between construction stages and applied industrial paint. Additional local businesses contributed to the project.
The picnic tables and washing station augment a variety of welcoming features, designed to support activities along the trail and opportunities to relax away from the plaza’s hustle and bustle. Cyclists will find essential repair items at the plaza’s convenience store, bike racks and trailside repair stations.
A secure, ADA-compliant walkway seamlessly connects the recreational area to the service plaza’s restrooms and amenities. Landscaping and planters offer seasonal color, while additional lighting enhances safety and security. Expanded parking areas provide plenty of room for all types of visitors, with clear wayfinding signage to help customers — whether they arrive via the PA Turnpike or local roads — navigate the trail network. The PA Turnpike is proud to work alongside organizations that foster connections with the Commonwealth’s natural environment, support tourism and sustainable outdoor recreation. Projects like the Sideling Hill Trailhead not only honor the Sideling Hill and Rays Hill tunnels’ quirky place in state transportation history, but also look forward to a future where nature and tourism work hand in hand.
This location provides access to over 600 miles of recreational trails within a 25-mile radius including the TOPP Trail, Buchanan State Forest, Bicycle PA Route S, and Raystown Lake. Explore PA with easy access to trails and sights along the Turnpike with added comfort and style found at the Sideling Hill Service Plaza. Image credit Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Trailhead at Sideling Hill Service Plaza
Sideling Hill Service Plaza lies east of Buchanan State Forest and provides parking for cyclists using BicyclePA Route S – a portion of which is Mountain House Rd.
About Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society
The Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) empowers recreation and park professionals and citizen advocates to enhance life-enriching services for all Pennsylvanians.
PRPS is the principal statewide association providing industry leadership, professional development, advocacy, and resources for those working and volunteering in parks and recreation.
The Society’s members include managers of municipal and state recreation and park systems, recreation therapists and wellness specialists, higher education professors and students, managers and programmers of commercial recreation facilities, suppliers and manufacturers of recreation and park products and services, and citizen members of community recreation and park boards.
Founded in 1935, PRPS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) professional membership association of more than 2000 members statewide.
About the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
The Pennsylvania Turnpike makes exploring Pennsylvania safe, convenient and reliable. We care deeply about safety and customer service and recognize teamwork and communication are essential to operating a highway system 500,000 customers rely upon daily. We take our responsibility seriously and take pride in our accomplishments on the job.
