Ohiopyle State Park

Located on the southern reaches of the Laurel Ridge, Ohiopyle State Park encompasses approximately 20,500 acres of rugged natural beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Highlands.

Close to major metropolitan areas and offering vast choices of activities, Ohiopyle State Park attracts millions of visitors annually.

Passing through the heart of the park, the rushing waters of the Youghiogheny [yawki-gay-nee] River Gorge are the centerpiece for Ohiopyle.

The “Yough” [yawk] provides some of the best whitewater boating in the eastern United States, as well as spectacular scenery.

Ohiopyle is the southern gateway into the Laurel Highlands and represents the beautiful natural resources and unique sense of community that visitors can find throughout the region.

Seasons and Hours

The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk.

The park office and visitor center hours are:

• January 1 to April 15 -- Open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., closed on Sundays.
  
• April 16 to October 31 -- Open seven days-a-week, 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
• November 1 to December 31 -- Open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., closed on Sundays.
• Closed on all state holidays.

Overnight areas and other areas are open specific seasons and hours. Contact the park office for facility seasons and hours.

Reservations

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday to Saturday.

Directions

From the PA Turnpike

• Take Exit 91, Donegal.
• Turn left onto PA 31 east.
• Travel about two miles, turn right onto PA 711 and PA 381 south.
• Travel ten miles to Normalville, turn left onto PA 381 south.
• Drive for 11 miles to Ohiopyle.

From the South (DC, MD, VA)

• Take I-270 north to Frederick, MD.
• Take I-70 west to Hancock, MD.
• Take Rt. 40 and I-68 through Cumberland.
• Take Exit 14 (Keysers Ridge) to Rt. 40 west to Farmington, PA.
• Turn right onto PA 381 north for eight miles to Ohiopyle.

From the South (WV)

• Take I-79 north to I-68 east.
• Take Bruceton Mills Exit to Rt. 26 north. At the Pennsylvania border it becomes PA 281 north.
• Turn left onto PA 40 west, to Farmington.
• Turn right onto PA 381 north to Ohiopyle.

Special Directions for Large RVs to Kentuck Campground

• SR 2019 is very steep. Large RVs should avoid this road.
• Take PA 40 to SR 2010 (Chalk Hill-Ohiopyle Rd). Follow it for eight miles to a stop sign.
• Go straight to the campground.

For GPS Units: GPS coordinates for many locations are on the park map and in the text. For those who want to use an address, use 124 Main Street, Ohiopyle, PA 15470.

This should direct you to the center of the park. Follow signage once you are in the park to find your desired destination.

GPS Decimal Degrees: Lat. 39.86813 Long. -79.4943

Ohiopyle State Park Office -- Laurel Highlands Falls Area Visitor Center

The Ohiopyle State Park Office -- Laurel Highlands Falls Area Visitor Center is an activity and information hub for the park and serves as a gateway to the larger Laurel Highlands region.

Diverse exhibits throughout the building help visitors learn about wildlife and recreational opportunities in the park and region.

A strong commitment to conservation and sustainable design is exhibited throughout the building, leading to long-term efficiency and responsible management.

It was designed and constructed to United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines for new construction.

In 2015, the building was awarded United States Green Building Council LEED Gold Certification and a United States Green Building Council Forever Green Award.

To find out more about the sustainability features incorporated throughout the center, explore the Going for Gold! Sustainable Building Design at Work Fact Sheet (PDF).

Top 10 Activities to do at Ohiopyle

1. View Ohiopyle Falls and stroll through the borough of Ohiopyle.
2. Explore rare plants and fossils on Ferncliff Peninsula.
3. See the deepest gorge in Pennsylvania from Baughman Rocks.
4. Brave the river with a trip on the Middle or Lower ‘Yough.’
5. Have a picnic with a view at Tharp Knob.
6. Spend the night under the stars at Kentuck Campground.
7. Start your backpacking trip on Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.
8. Bike the Great Allegheny Passage to a nearby trail town.
9. Ride the sledding hill when the snow falls.
10. View the falling waters at Cucumber Run.

Waterslides

Sit in the creek bed and ride the water through two natural waterslides in Meadow Run. Caution must be used at all times as natural hazards exist.

Parking is available adjacent to the SR 381 bridge crossing Meadow Run. Follow the signs to Meadow Run Trail or follow the path at the back of the parking lot.

Access for People with Disabilities

This activity or structure is ADA accessible. An ADA accessible observation deck is easily reached from the parking area.

Learn, Experience, Connect

The park offers a wide variety of environmental education and recreation programs.

Through hands-on activities, guided walks, and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding, and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.

Programs focus on the Youghiogheny River, its gorge, and the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the Ohiopyle area.

Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available.

Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the Ohiopyle State Park Office and Laurel Highlands Falls Area Visitor Center at 724-329-0986.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

A two-plug, electric-vehicle charging station is available for public use in the train station parking lot. Please move to another parking space once your vehicle has been charged.

Access for People with Disabilities

This activity or structure is ADA accessible. If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

In an Emergency

Call 911 and contact an employee.

Directions to the nearest hospital are posted on bulletin boards and at the park office.

Nearest Hospital

Uniontown Hospital
500 West Berkeley Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
724-430-5000