Ohiopyle State Park

Ohiopyle is not your average state park. This top tier spot offers thrills for white water rafters, moments of peace for birdwatchers, and many experiences in between for visitors.

Within its more than 20,500 acres, you’ll find hiking trails, waterfalls, stunning foliage, and the beautiful Youghiogheny River running through it all. You may spot native wildlife like white-tailed deer, bobcats and river otters. It’s also an ideal habitat for water birds, including the osprey, mergansers, and kingfishers. 

The Ferncliff Peninsula covers 100 acres of the park. You can reach the peninsula by crossing Ohiopyle Low Bridge, which is part of the Great Allegheny Passage, on foot or bike to explore the nature there: mature ferns, 200-year-old hemlock trees, and rocks imprinted with fossils. 

The Great Gorge Trail is a favorite option for hiking, since it takes you 3.6 miles out and back with views of the river. But the star of the show is arguably Cucumber Falls, a 30-foot waterfall that hikers often use to cool off in the warmer months. 

The park is also a great spot for thrill seekers, with white water rafting tours providers conveniently located in the town of Ohiopyle. You can also check the natural water slides just south of town near the Meadow Run trailhead. The chutes end in a natural pool area and if weather and water conditions are right, it's like experiencing the rush of a theme park in a beautiful, natural setting.