The areas are a remnant of the original forest that once covered 6 million acres (24,000 km2) on the Allegheny Plateau of New York and Pennsylvania.

[3] During the early evening hours of May 31, 1985, a severe tornado moved through the northern half of the Tionesta Scenic Area.

You may encounter white-tailed deer, American black bear, fishers, and several bat species.

Bird watchers can search for numerous species that prefer old growth forests, like barred owls, northern goshawks, pileated woodpeckers, flycatchers, thrushes, and warblers.

[3] The area is a typical plateau cut by streams, with flat uplands and steep-sided valleys.