While many people are drawn to Ohiopyle State Park for the awesome adventure sports -- Whitewater rafting, mountain biking, kayaking, and so forth -- there is much to see and do here that doesn't involve a near-death experience or attaining your maximum heart rate.

One such attraction: the numerous overlooks and vistas speckled throughout the park. Notice the photo icons on this downloadable map of the park. The key thing to remember here is that when Ohiopyle State Park puts a photo icon on the map, they are not messing around. Much of the park is quite beautiful, but the indicated vistas are supremely magestic. Let's run down my top 4:

1. Laurel Highlands trail. Approximately 2.5 miles from the end of Garrett St on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a rocky outcropping that offers a magnificent view of the Great Bend in the Middle Yough. Hike in your camera for this one - you will see miles of trees and river valley, with the river itself flowing far below you.

2. Kentuck. Two benches sit atop a hill, facing a gap in the opposing hillside through which you can see the ridge system in the distance. The kind of spot that makes you feel like you just might be the first one to see this sight.

3. Tharp Knob. Easily my current favorite. You can drive to the softball field area and walk around the Kentuck Trail loop, or you can really earn this view and go up Great Gorge trail, turn left on Kentuck -- passing the Kentuck overlook -- and reach Tharp Knob that way. From this spot you can see the entire town of Ohiopyle (what there is of it) and much of the Middle Yough. Wilderness Voyageurs is just visible to the left of the railway tracks in the picture below:

Beware: this image is zoomed in. For the full view, you will have to go there yourself.

4. Sugarloaf Road. Driving on Sugarloaf road from Ohiopyle to Confluence, you will see an overlook sign on your left. Park in the pulloff and walk up to the rocky outcropping. This is another spectacular view of the Middle Yough.

Do you have any other favorite vistas in Ohiopyle (there's one just outside the park on 381 N just past Scarlett Knob campground, for instance)? Leave a comment and let us know.

Lou

    Ohiopyle State Park offers an extensive trail system that allows anyone to enjoy many different ecosystems and natural features no matter your skill level.  Over 79 total miles of hiking trails makes it really difficult to grow tired of any one trail.  This also means there are enough trails that vary in gradient and difficulty, you are sure to find one that fits your needs for that day.  Here are a couple of my favorite:


Great Gorge trail to Beech Trail:
    This loop can be accessed via the Bike path from the town of Ohiopyle.  The bike path serves as a great connector for many of the trails in the park that are deeper and more tiresome to access via foot. 
     I warm up by running along the bike bath from Wilderness Voyageurs' Outfitter Store to the trailhead after the high bridge above Railroad rapid on the Lower Yough.  However, this is tricky.  Just after you cross the bridge there is a sign on the left to enter Great Gorge Trail.  This will take you in the OPPOSITE direction.  Instead, continue along the bike path another 30 yards and take the next trail off to the left.  This is just an unmarked way to enter the Great Gorge Trail.  If you see signs to the campground you have gone too far.  This trail begins by winding through the woods, growing steeper.  The last bit of trail is the steepest of the entire run so just think about getting it over with early.  The trail hits Kentuck Trail where you will turn Right.  This trail leads up to the campground access road which you will cross and reenter the trail off the road onto the right.  This will take you past the Ampitheater.  After passing this you will follow signs for Beech Trail, taking a Left when the trail hits a Y.  Another 40 yards follow Beech trail to the Right. 
    From here, enjoy a long stretch of winding through the woods with minimal change in gradient.  Soon the trail will begin to slowly go downhill, meeting up with a creek near a large rock face on the left hand side.  The trail eventually bends to the right (no need to turn off trail) where it somewhat follows the bike path with a few hills thrown in for good measure.  The trail eventually leads to the Campground access trail (gravel) where you will go left to hit the bike path again, or right to head to the campground.
    This is one of my favorites because it starts off with a bang and turns into a mellower run for the 2nd half.  It usually takes me about an hour to run.

Another great loop is the Great Gorge to Meadow Run Trail Loop:

    This loop can also be accessed via the bike path, turning Left just after the High Bridge over Railroad rapid (the trail is marked Great Gorge here).  This part of Great gorge is a much wider, flat trail that follows the Lower Youghiogheny's loop section.  The trail eventually leads to the beautiful Cucumber Falls where you can cool off by walking behind or even under the falls.
    You can stop here as Rt 381 passes just over the trail, or continue the trail under 381 where it leads to the Natural Water Slides.  The trail turns into Meadow Run Trail here as it follows the creek known as Meadow.  During high water, this creek is frequented by local kayakers.  Fishermen also enjoy these waters all year long.  The trail remains relatively flat with the occasional hill and winds through much denser wooded areas.  Often times the trail is only wide enough for me with thick rhododendron on either side. 
    Be sure to follow sings up the Cascades.  This is a slide/waterfall that drops around 20 feet overall.  Another great place to stop and take a dip in the river. 
    Here you can either turn around or continue along the trail as it bends to the right and loops back upon itself.  Sometimes I find myself ending up in the top Meadow Run parking lot, but no worries...there is a trail that leads back down to the creek.

For a full trail map of Ohiopyle State Park click here

The Laurel Highlands and Ohiopyle State Park are excellent locations for hiking and exploring Pennsylvania's natural beauty.  Amazing rock formations with the occasional cave, forest floors covered with brilliantly green ferns or hidden waterfalls are all common on any of the hikes. 

Ever need a trail recommendation?  Stop by Wilderness Voyageurs' Outfitter store and we'll be happy to point you toward a trail that will fit your needs for that day!

See you out there!

-Zan

What an awesome start to the day: a bike ride / commute to work. An early spring morning -  with buds starting to turn, daffodils everywhere, birds chirping and layers needed to take off the chill. My favorite biking weather. I started road biking about 2 years ago and I am hooked, especially since riding in the Laurel Highlands is spectacular! The rides seem endless with the perfect combination of hills to climb and cruiser roads. You have to be a tad careful since "share the lane" isn't all that well know in these parts. On some roads, the shoulder is non-existent and cars tend to speed along the backroads. But at the same time, there isn't a lot of traffic. 
 
A lot of great rides start straight out of Ohiopyle. Get ready though - a good climb will greet you in any direction. Rt 381 is a Scenic Byway running through the Laurel Highlands. If you ride south out of Ohiopyle, you can stay on RT 381 all the way to Wharton Furnace road. Turn right until you come to Fayette Springs Road. Turn right again and you'll ride past Christian Clay Winery. Cross RT 40, hop on the Ohiopyle Chalk Hill Road and enjoy a mostly downhill cruise back to Ohiopyle. It's not a super long route, maybe 30 miles or so, but a nice cruise. That's just one of many options. Stop by Wilderness Voyageurs in Ohiopyle for other ideas. Not just road biking, Mountain Biking, hiking and just general information. It's also a great place to pick up biking gear and general outdoor gear. There is usually a bike mechanic on duty. You can try mapmyride for biking ideas as well.

A lot of people know Ohiopyle State  Park  for it's famous Yough River Rafting but did you  know that this park is packed with world class Mountain Biking.  I guess they haven't noticed the topography that creates all those rapids :-)

If you are looking get out as part of a white water rafting trip or just to get in some terrific Mountain Biking.  Come to Ohiopyle PA.  

Oh, and Wilderness Voyageurs has a  bike shop with a full time Mechanic available every weekend.

I think what I like the most about Yough River Rafting is the clear clean water and the quality and frequency of the rapids.   We also were able to do some fishing and some great Mountain Biking.

Thanks Wilderness Voyageurs!

A whitewater rafting trip down the Yough River in Ohiopyle doesn't have to end with the  Rafting.  Wilderness Voyagers offers some great guided climbing for both experts and beginners alike.   A really fun day can be had for a family that begins with a fun & easy bike ride down the rails to trails path that runs through beautiful forrest and along the exciting Youghiogheny River.   About a mile downstream is a great set of rocks that are perfect for top-roping and an excellent spot to practice your skills, or introduce your children to the great sport of Rock Climbing.  If you are looking for Great Pennsylvania Family Trips in the Laurel Highlands you will find this to be one of the best outdoor activities near Washington DC or anywhere for that matter.