We went in the midst of a 90 degree plus heat wave, the falls were more of a trickle…read more Reaching the falls requires a nice little walk through the woods on a paved path.

What a great place to visit!! A little over an hour from…read morePittsburgh and well worth the drive. I was surprised to learn there were several Buttermilk Falls in the area. Parking lot was spacious and there were restrooms too. There is a pathway down to the falls and also a long walkway around (Mister Rogers Pathway). We chose the long way around which was nice. I can only imagine how beautiful it would be during the fall months. When you arrive to the falls there is an overlook view which is really amazing. You then cross a little bridge and walk down a set of stairs to the waterfall. The stairs were fairly new and manageable- going down and back up. There is an area that you walk and stand under and behind the falls.. I loved that!!! It was so neat. We look forward to returning.

DO NOT GO FULL SPEED ON THE SLIDES!!!!!!!! They are fun but…read moreREALLY fast and you WILL fly off if you don't drag your feet when sliding down. Especially for the curvier slide on the left. My glasses flew off of my face and I thought I was going to fly off of the edge, but instead landed on the ground with a nice bruise on my shin as a souvenir. The plastic "kids slide" is like going down a thin lobster tail and is bumpy on the way down. Anyway. Would come back. The slides are still fun even when moving at a reasonable speed. The rock scramble stairs and the cargo net to get back up are also fun. Yes, I am an adult.

I loved it here and my kids said they never wanted to leave…read moreAn the wild life is so beautiful And the surroundings there were all so peaceful and proper and wonderful and I wish I could live there

Lovely place to hang out with nature. Go as soon as u get the chance, I promise it's worth it!read more

I have hiked here in the winter and in the summer and it is like two different forests. It's…read moreabsolutely beautiful and it's only a little over an hour away from Pittsburgh.

This lovely conservation area is 450 acres of beautiful forest with lots to see and a very shadowy…read morepast. The ruins of an old pipe factory are very visible and there are informative signs that tell the story. These occurrences took place in the 1800's. There is history of criminals murdered, accidental death(pipe factory), a hanging, an explosion, a drowning, a giant snake sighting, all taking place in the park. For this reason many people think that the sight is haunted by the people who met their fate here. I hate to burst the excitement, but I have never experienced ghosts, or any other paranormal activity while spending time there. In fact, despite it's dark past Dead Man's Hollow is a very tranquil place. If you have been there during May when Spring season really kicks off you will see tons of wildflowers that are spectacular. The pipe factory had a fire and the ground was burned. This happens to be very good for re-growth and as a result we get to experience a lot of beautiful flora. Also, the old pipe factory remains are covered with cool graffiti. The trails are at times narrow, but they are very clean. You are at some point going to climb up and down hills, so it is a very good workout. I would say that the hiking is a bit more challenging. To find it I would suggest searching via a trailhead name and not just the park name. One example would be "cat fish pond trail." There is a nice parking area near that trailhead. There is also another parking area on the other side of the park(more on that later). This other side is closer to the ruins.

We checked out the catfish pond today. It looked promising at first but soon discovered that there…read moreis very little accessibility to fish there. The spots that are open are at an incline sloped towards the pond and are very slippery and hazardous. I do not recommend taking young kids there. My daughter and I fished for an hour or so and only saw bluegill in the 3-4" range and smaller minnows. We used lures and worms and had many bites but the fish were too small to get hooked. We did see many water turtles and even a few babies whose shell was about 2-3" in diameter. We also saw one large snapping turtle appear for a few seconds. There are also a bunch of bullfrog minnows whose bodies were the size of golf balls (early June). It's a cool place to see but we won't be returning to fish.

As if there wasn't enough parks in the Laurel Highlands, there is Laurel Hill State Park a 3,935…read moreacre natural area of beautiful forest, overlooks, ponds and streams. My recent visit was promising at first, but the rain just kept coming all day long and it "dampened" my spirits completely. I stopped by the main office and got directions to the Jones Mill Dam. Since it was raining so much I gave it some time to clear up, but to no avail. This park is certainly worth checking out and it will be super beautiful later on in the Spring. The wood frogs, spring peepers and other animals will be active. On the same road that this park lies on is two other parks: Kooser State Park and Laurel Ridge State Park, so it is possible to hit those up while in the area. I will certainly make the trip out here later on towards May.

I was staying at Hidden Valley recently and I was looking for a cool place to hike in the area that…read moreI hadn't been to before and I happen to discover this gem. What a great spot for a hike, but an even better place for a swim, relaxing, a picnic on the grass or some sun on the sand by the water. So after we arrived we hit the trail that ran along the water while taking in the small but beautiful lake. We then proceeded to head into the woods. It was a great little hike and the trails were very easy. After we were done hiking we got the huge blanket and the cooler with snacks and drinks in it out of the car and headed over to a shaded spot under the trees. We sat in the grass area in the left corner of the parking lot and listened to music, ate, drank and enjoyed each other's company for a good while. Then after that we packed up our stuff in the car and headed down to the water and enjoyed the lake which is very clean and refreshing and the scenery is absolutely beautiful. I love that they have sand and everyone looked so happy. They also have an area where you can purchase food and beverages but they also have many other great amenities which I am sure can be discovered on here or on their website. I am so glad I discovered this place. I will most definitely be stopping by again when I am in the area. Enjoy :)

Although this trail is pretty, and well-kept, I prefer the Yough Trail. If this one had been closer…read moreto where I lived, I might have been here more frequently. Take your pick, but do try them both!! Whitney B. is right on - this trail is a real asset. Crushed limestone surface is great for running, but it's long enough for a serious bike ride. As always, don't forget to pass on the left and hail when passing!

Running, biking, skating, strolling, walking, frolicking, sprinting, slacking - all things that can…read morebe done on the Montour Trail. As Miriam W. mentioned, Arrowhead Trail is a subsection of Montour Trail and that's the area I most frequently use as well. In the spring, summer, fall, and the mild winter months it's such a great place to get outside and get in some exercise. Depending on the season and time of day you decide to go, it can get fairly crowded. But it doesn't bother me too much b/c most people are courteous of others and give you your space. But if you are fortunate enough to find a time of day when it's not so crowded, it's a great place to go and be quiet with your own thoughts in the outdoors. I have seen some squirrels, deers, and wild turkeys roaming about. Kinda freaks me out when I'm by myself - not the squirrels so much as the deers and wild turkeys. I think they are so used to seeing humans they don't scare off very easily.

This is a lovely area. We had a nice little drive around, and then stopped to do the hike out to…read moreAdam Falls. The small parking area by the trailhead also features an adjacent playground space, plus a nice picnic area. A stream ambles along, and signage indicates that it is stocked with fish. The hike takes you through the woods around to a nice little waterfall, very picturesque in the wood setting. They offer cabins too for those who want to stay onsite and extend their stay.

This is such a cool park that may be overlooked because it is in a secluded little spot in…read moreLigonier, P.A. It has a raging stream, waterfall, natural slides, some old ruins, beautiful trails and natural beauty. It is certainly a hidden gem of this area and should be visited for a joyful weekend excursion. It is especially beautiful in the Fall and Winter, but you can go there year round.

I've lived in the area for a while now but have never made it to this lake before. Today was the…read moreperfect weather for a walk so I finally made it here. The park is on the smaller side but does have plenty of parking spaces. The trail is paved and clearly marked. I was expecting it to loop all the way around the lake but it didn't seem to. There were a few trails off of the paved path that I didn't explore. The views of the lake are very nice and there are a few benches to stop and enjoy it. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice this place was and also how busy it was. I arrived just before 10am and the place was buzzing with people enjoying the lake.

This park is very well paved for parents that want to walk with a stroller. It's quite beautiful…read moreand relatively quiet.

First time coming here with my 6 month old son! He loved the swings and this park is in great…read morecondition. Be sure to bring a mask for Covid protection as there are signs posted.

Went for a walk after work I was really impressed with the park it was really relaxing and well…read moremaintained. It's a nice park to take the family for a picnic lots to do for the kids there's a nice playground with a castle in it. I didn't play frisbee golf but the course looked really nice. I was really impressed how well maintained the park is plus the restrooms are clean if your in the area it's worth stopping.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed the Great Allegheny Passage Rail Trail until now. It is such a…read morejewel and where I spend a lot of my free time riding my bicycle, especially during this crazy time we're in at the moment with COVID-19. (Note that it is not just for bicycles; walkers and runners also utilize the trail, just not motorized vehicles, so you don't have to compete with cars.) I won't go into all the details of the trail; that is interesting in itself regarding its history, how long it's taken to get the land for the different sections, its steepness grade or lack thereof, all the different towns it goes through, etc. For all of that, I'll give you the very useful link:https://gaptrail.org/ What I will do is give you some highlights and what makes it a jewel to me. It is 150 miles of mostly packed crushed limestone (with a bit of it paved between Pittsburgh and McKeesport) from the Pittsburgh Point Fountain (there's a marker on the ground near it) to Cumberland, MD. Most of it is on what used to be railroad beds and a bit of it is on streets (near downtown Pittsburgh and some in McKeesport). Because of the railroad bed usage, the path follows that grade (meaning gradual steepness with the sharpest elevation gain/loss being between the Eastern Continental Divide and Cumberland). What all the preceding paragraph means is that it is a quite doable trail and comfortable to ride. The packed gravel means it is pretty close to riding on a road surface because it is so packed. The only time that is not true is usually after a downpour when there might be parts of it that retain water. The grade following the grade of the railroads means the gradual incline (if you're going from Pittsburgh to Cumberland) is pretty gradual and a steady 10mph is doable. From the Continental Divide to Cumberland is downhill and is quite easy; coming back is a bit more strenuous -- see the afore-mentioned link to see mileage and grade of that section. I remember when I first heard about the trail; I had no concept of a rail trail to begin with so did not know what to expect in the least. If you're in the same boat, I will say that the trail is open from sun-up to sun-down, there are no street lights lighting the path on purpose though where it travels in spots may have lights for other purposes. It is mostly wide enough for say three bikes across, but don't do that! There is trail etiquette; learn it for everyone's safety and enjoyment -- stay to the right, single file and if you are riding 2 across for any reason, then pay close attention to passers; you'll need to be sure to listen to "on your left' or a bell or some audible signal that someone needs to pass you. On the converse side, if you're passing, pass on the left and issue an audible signal, etc. Just share the trail! Also, some parts of the trail are shaded by trees lining the trail; other parts are in the sun for extended periods so wear sunscreen. There are amenities all along the trail. That was important for me as a first-timer to know because I couldn't grasp at first if it was secluded, wilderness, or what. The GAP trail has so many towns, ballfields, restaurants, ice cream stands, portable restrooms every so many miles and parking trailheads plus a number of other cyclists on the trail that you won't feel that isolated and except for a couple spots (downtown Pittsburgh or Ohiopyle for example) you won't feel the trail is too crowded, either. Take water, snacks, an extra tube and you'll find you'll have what you need. Do you need certain size tires (mountain bike/hybrid/road bike)? Some people debate that. I have a hybrid bike and am happy enough. Favorite parts of the trail for me? I love the section between Myersdale, PA and Frostburg, MD. In that section is the Mason-Dixon line and the Eastern Continental Divide. I also love riding between Homestead and downtown Pittsburgh. Along that route is the Hays Eagle nest. And being downtown Pittsburgh on my bike is so much easier than navigating and parking a car. And when you want to go further on your adventure than Cumberland, MD? It hooks up directly with the C & O Tow Path for another 184.5 miles to get you all the way to Washington, D.C. for a total of 334.5 miles. Many of us have taken several days in one stretch to ride the entire length between Pittsburgh and D.C. and it is quite the trip, and well worthwhile, as are many of the many sections of the GAP trail. It has such unique personalities with wildlife (there are deer, owls, groundhogs, rabbits just to name a few) and so many wildflowers along the way. You're following rivers along the route, as well, plus get to take advantage of PA's lovely state park, Ohiopyle. There are several campsites, hotels, and bed and breakfasts along the way, too. I could go on and on but I recommend talking to others who have ridden the trail, look up Facebook webpages related to the GAP, get a trail book and google for more info.

We are so fortunate to have this trail run right into downtown Pittsburgh. Today I rode from…read moredowntown to Homestead and back. 13 miles and, boy is my butt sore! Someday I hope to ride all the way to DC. They'll probably have to bring me home in a giant butt sling, but I don't care! Riding along the river is so beautiful on a warm fall day. Whether you go five miles or five hundred, don't miss an opportunity to bike, walk, or skate along this treasured trail.