I wish I had more time to explore the park as a whole, but I had an aggressive agenda where I had preset times to tour two Frank Lloyd Wright residential masterpieces, Kentuck Knob (review: https://yelp.to/_zBjRXaWxl) and the legendary Fallingwater (review: https://yelp.to/hQ179hIMk_). Motoring in my rented SUV through the gorgeous Laurel Highlands region, I had roughly an hour to drive the seven miles between the two homes right through this park. Right in the heart is a most worthwhile stop, Ohiopyle Falls, a twenty-foot waterfall that spans the wide Youghiogheny River over a couple of dramatic levels. The parking lot was huge and pretty empty, and it was a quick stroll to the broad observation decks that jut out over the river. There was a group of kayakers huddled together as they were preparing to navigate the whitewater torrents. The hamlet of Ohiopyle provides a welcome coffee break. RELATED - Exploring the greater Pittsburgh area? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/JIi0cQGNmO read more

See all

Easy to navigate to. Free parking. Plenty of parking. Excellent clear trails and walking spaces. Clean atmosphere. read more

What a beautiful and amazing state park! We went on the trail to cucumber falls then back up (up is very rugged) from the falls to get back to the parking area. The rugged trail also leads to beautiful spots on the river with big boulders. Some were swimming in some safer looking areas. I sat on a big flat boulder I with my feet in the water in awe of my surroundings. There's kayaking and white water rafting. I believe they have bike rentals too. Quaint little rustic village to stroll. There are restaurants and bars as well. There are nearly resorts/inns as well. I will be back!! read more

See all

Update: After a tour of the stunning FallingWaters a 1937 Frank Lloyd Wright designed home and a wonderful lunch in Ohiopyle PA we returned to our 139 campsite to enjoy a quiet afternoon we were approached by two heavily armed policemen who indicated we were camping in a "No Dog Zone"!!! We explained that the State Park Ranger had assigned the site upon checkin and mentioned nothing about a "No Dog Zone". They indicated that since we were checking out the next morning we would have to move. The officers were very nice however them being so heavily armed was a bit unnerving!! In Pennsylvania state parks, dogs are generally not allowed in swimming areas, inside buildings, or in designated non-pet overnight areas like cabins and group tenting areas. They are also prohibited in any area specifically designated as closed to pets. Responsible pet ownership is expected, meaning dogs must be leashed, attended, and their waste must be cleaned up!!! After a seven hour multi state slough we finally arrived at Ohiopyle State Park in PA. Site 139 was an easy back in however due to an afternoon thunderstorm there's no power to the campground upon our arrival but thankfully it came back on a short while ago! We've decided to enjoy a second day exploring the river, local sites etc. Really enjoyed our stay. While the entry roads are a bit tight the facilities were clean plus the staff was amazingly friendly. Highly recommended. read more

See all

Great place for hiking and other outdoor activities. Beautiful, peaceful surroundings. Loved the large rocks. We chose a trail that wasn't easy to find. Would be nice if there were marked areas where you can let your dog run free. read more

Really nice well maintained park with ample parking and facility access. The visitor center is well maintained and has a water filling station and there is even an area for fall view that his more limited mobility friendly. Favorite trail was the natural waterslides. Wear good hiking shoes and enjoy! read more

This was amazing!!! I went white water rafting and I was scared at first but then I went and it was fun. Trust me the Rapids are amazing a little bit scary but fun. And we made it out safely thanks to Z (our guide) she was amazing, kept us safe, and she genuinely felt like a companion so thank God I made it out safely and with an amazing guide. read more

This is an amazing place to see fall foliage! The drive from Pittsburgh was equally amazing, with breathtaking views almost the whole way there. We skipped Cucumber Falls since parking was a hassle and it also felt a bit unsafe to walk there from the main road because the sidewalk/pedestrian zone sort of disappears as you go up the hill that takes you to Cucumber Falls. Also cars drive pretty fast along that road. However, we still did several trails around Ohiopyle Falls which were very worth it! They can easily take up a few hours Be careful around the waterfall area since the rocks can be a bit slippery. Another fun thing is to check out the visitor center which has a small informational gallery about Ohiopyle and its wildlife. Also the there's an observation deck which gives you a great view of Ohiopyle Falls. The gift shop there is cash only. We went on a Friday so parking wasn't an issue in the main visitor area, but it's not a big lot so it might be crowded on weekends. Also it was the end of October so kayaking and rafting trips came to a close. I'd definitely want to come back during the spring or summer when they resume. Just an fyi, but cellular service can be a bit spotty around the area. However, there is plenty of free wifi around the shops and visitor center in case you need a map or to search things up. read more

See all

I recently on a little hiking trip with my best friend who was in town from NC. He hadn't been here since college so I was pumped to have some beers and go on a hike with him. We started off by walking around town a little since he hadn't seen most of the stuff here. A lot has changed over the years and he was pleasantly surprised and happy to see that. Then we stopped in at one of the local restaurants for a pre hike beer before heading across the bridge to hit the trails on the other side of the Yough. I've probably hiked almost ever trail here and been here numerous times over the years, but for some reason after all of those times I'd never hiked to Cucumber falls, but today we did and man was it beautiful and filled with lots of happy people and dogs :) I love every aspect of this place. The town, it's people, the visitors, the food and drinks, the shops, etc. Literally one of my favorite places to go. If you have never been here you are missing out on one of the greatest days of your life. Go explore and enjoy! read more

See all

I haven't camped at any State Park before, but I still think Ohiopyle State Park is my...favorite. The route I took from Intercourse was toll free, so I spent a whopping 3 hours and 45 minutes broadening my buttocks on my firm driver seat. The roads, which are on hills steeper than my electric bills, eventually led me to Kentuck Campground, which is where I popped my discount tent to life. The roads around there are paved to perfection, but the nonexistent grass made my back ache with terror when trying to sleep on the cold, hard rocks. The campers who stayed there over and over again did the earthworms dirty on that one. The showers were conveniently located and even had hot water, which was a pleasant surprise. There were Ohiopyles of canine excrement dispersed everywhere, which made my Brooks very unhappy when I walked to the lavatory. I'll be back -- once the black bear who stole my bag of chips finally apologizes. read more

Ohiopyle State Park - The trains passing by made it possible for me to spend all night studying the tent's ceiling structure. - Parks Near Me - Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania

Extremely Disappointed & Unsafe Experience Our visit to Ohiopyle was absolutely awful. We were hoping for a peaceful nature day, but instead ended up in one of the most stressful and dangerous situations we've experienced on a trip. We followed the directions provided, which led us onto a narrow, extremely rocky and steep downhill road. We were in a Honda Odyssey -- definitely not a 4-wheel drive vehicle -- and we were terrified we wouldn't be able to make it back up. The directions literally ended at the bottom of that rocky hill, in the middle of nowhere. We had no cell service (no SOS either), so if we had gotten stuck, we wouldn't have been able to call for help. It felt unsafe and irresponsible that this route was even listed as a valid way to access the park. After 30+ minutes lost in the woods, we managed to turn around (thankfully remembering part of the way back). When we finally reached someone from Ohiopyle, she gave us directions back to the same dangerous road we had just escaped from. The roads were so winding and elevated that my mom actually got sick and threw up from the ride. I felt extremely anxious the entire time and couldn't even enjoy the visit -- we ended up not going at all. Even though it was a sunny day, the whole area felt eerie and unsafe, and we didn't feel confident that there was any other reasonable or clear way to get to the park. I do not recommend visiting Ohiopyle, especially if you don't have a 4WD vehicle. The directions were unclear, the roads were dangerous, and the experience caused more stress than anything else. Wish we had never attempted this trip. read more

The main falls are always beautiful to look at, and we enjoyed seeing them again, particularly since it wasn't very crowded at this visit. We went inside the lovely green Visitors Center and really enjoyed going through their lower level exhibits. There are multiple very nice displays about the area, including various wildlife, history, and recreation. They also have this neat "punch" activity, which was great for kids - you can pick up a paper and go around to the various displays and get a punch on it. Very fun. A great place to visit! read more

See all

I'm officially in love with Pennsylvania. Such beautiful, scenic views and fantastic hiking. Joy inducing. This state park is so huge, it has multiple campgrounds. The Kentuck Campgrounds seemed to be the only one open "late season" still for primitive sites, so that's where we booked for 2 nights. They don't close until December 1st. The campsites are very nicely tucked in the woods and you have plenty of trees and growth between each site to give you privacy and feel submerged in the woods. It was such a joy to fall asleep with such clear views of the stars and wake up to such beauty and surrounded by the forest. The bathhouses are older yet well kept and heated. They also contain a sink specifically for you to wash your dishes, which is not often found at campgrounds, and much appreciated. Firewood and ice are sold 24 hours a day, with cash, on an honor system. The hiking was so good, that we would take off every morning, after a good breakfast, and not return until dusk. We would make a fire, cook dinner, then go straight to bed after eating. There are so many waterfalls, rapids, and beauty to take in, that we wanted to see as much as we could. I could easily spend a week here to see it all. read more

See all

We stopped here to hike some of the trails one day, and our hearts were captured! Would love to return. Altho we didn't join in the fun, we did enjoy watching children go thru the natural water slides. We'd never seen anything like it before, and would have loved to have joined the few adults who were participating. Imagine sitting on your bum, while being carried along by the water's current thru twists and turns, in a natural area, not human-made slides! https://uncoveringpa.com/natural-waterslides-ohiopyle-state-park Why are all the state parks in PA free, when NYS charges for entry to its parks? read more

This is one of my favorite places on Earth. Quaint little park sitting right on the Youghiogheney River. Great areas to hike, white water rafting and sbop. Fallingwater is nearby. Just a great place read more

What an amazing place! A short 1.5 hr drive from Pittsburgh but a beautiful drive! It is a beautiful area and there are plenty of places to stop along the way. Next time, I will try the coffee shop at the turn off. We went on a Sunday and parking is definitely scarce. I showed up at 1pm and had issues finding a spot. I took the Fern trail by crossing the bridge and taking an immediate left and walking along the river. It definitely has some spots that would be hard on someone older or with bad knees. My senior dog had a little bit of trouble climbing up some of the path/walkway. But it is beautiful! The Fern trail took us about 2 hours but we stopped so many places along the way. Walking it without stopping would probably take 30 minutes. Pro- Very dog friendly area! We saw many other pets there as well. read more

Ohiopyle State Park - Part of trail - Parks Near Me - Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania

See all

Saturday July 20th, Ferncliff Peninsula is the Park and OVERLOOK at Ohiopyle State Park Visitors Center. Tony and I visited the Visitors Center and walked around the lovely wildflowers and enjoyed the OVERLOOK. There is gorgeous views of Ohiopyle Falls. This entire area looks like your at the Beach, with restaurants, souvenir shops and tons of peeps milling around aimlessly. IT is absolutely gorgeous here. Free OVERLOOK, free parking, free to wholly enjoy. There is a lovely little educational hands on museum and restrooms in the Visitors center. read more

See all

Ohiopyle has a sweet spot in my heart because I spent a ton of time here growing up. The beauty of Ohiopyle is unmatched, and it's hard to believe that it's within a 1.5 hour drive of the city. Firstly, let me start by saying there are many free activities here - hiking, swimming, bringing you own bike to the trail... there is also no shortage of bike rentals, kayak and rafting tours, and even zip lining. I wish that there were less shops, and more parking. Even if there was some sort of transportation that could take people to and from some of the highlights (cucumber falls for instance) I think that would make visiting here much safer. Baughman's Rock = beautiful overlook, doesn't receive much foot traffic read more

See all

Came here on a random drive the the adjacent area for an errand. Have seen signs for this town/stop, both on the bike trail and also on 219 coming up the road - but never gave it a shot, or knew what exactly is cooking in this area. First and foremost, it's almost like a small lake type town (without a lake) that reminds me of driving into Deep Creek Lake - with signs for boating, rafting, etc. But here even though parts are bare in places, there is a cluster of restuarants, bars, outdoor places and shops, as well as trails, waterfalls, cliffs, and a bike path that runs from Pittsburgh to DC that comes right through here. Decided to walk one way for about a mile, then double back and take a trail along with river onto the rocks and cliffs that look at the waterfalls. There are several trails around, with maps and signage to help navigate. There are also hiking trails in the woods that are probably more challenging. Not to mention rafting, canoeing, etc available and bike shops if you want to go that route. Would have liked to try some of the food, maybe next time. read more

See all

My boyfriend and I had a blast when we visited Ohiopyle State Park! We went to see the "body slides" (of which I unapologetically did not partake), then to Cucumber Falls, and hiked along the trails to see the beautiful bodies of water. We enjoyed our packed lunch at one of the picnicking areas with a gorgeous view of the hills. The nats called for an early end to lunch, but we didn't mind all that much. I'm looking forward to returning for a kayaking lesson! I would definitely recommend checking this place out if you ever get the chance. read more

See all

I came here during the fall and absolutely loved my time in this fall wonderland. Ohiopyle State Park has tons of accessible trails, mountains, waterfalls, and chances to explore the river. You can go whitewater rafting, rock climbing, or play it safe like I did and just explore the hiking that is around the area. We packed our lunch and enjoyed our food by the gorgeous views. Definitely a day well-spent and I'm looking forward to my return visit. read more

Ohiopyle State Park - Parks Near Me - Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania

See all

We've lived relativley close to this park our entire lives, and it never seems to get old for somewhere to go when he asks "What do you want to do today?". There is always somethig to do there. Even if it's only getting ice cream, sitting by the water or watching the kayakers practice at the bottom of the falls. It's a site to see if you're passing by and a great place to get some food, and stretch your legs. read more

Nice spot to stop and stretch your legs. Has great views and trails you can walk. Didn't check out the town but looks like it could be a hopping place during the summer. read more

Ohiopyle State Park - Parks Near Me - Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania

This is my favorite kind of state park - one that has lots of nature, such as hikes, coarsing water, colorful rolling hills full of trees off in the distance,even a waterfall - but it's all easily accessible. I enjoy a hike, but I'm not so into working too hard or climbing dangerous rocks. The highlights of Ohiopyle are Cucumber Falls and the Braughman Rock overlook, which both have their own parking lots for easy access. But once you see the main attraction, they're both connected to hundreds of miles of great trails. The surrounding foliage is colorful and abundant during the fall as well. At the center of the park, there is a small general store and market with surprisingly tasty ice cream. If they have the sticky bun, I highly recommend it. read more

We had a lot of fun adventuring around along the rivers of Ohiopyle. The natural water slides are so unique and exquisite. For those who are adventurous they looked to be a lot of fun. The water was low and slow when we visited with lots of children playing abound. I'm ready to return to perhaps catch some fall beauty. read more

Ohiopyle State Park - Parks Near Me - Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania

As a self-proclaimed nature explorer and park enthusiast, I can say I LOVE Ohiopyle. Visiting here has given me plenty of wonderful memories, and there is not a day I would pass up a chance to go walk the park's trails or check out the waterfalls. First things first I rarely rave about the drive to any destination unless it's a beautiful scenic one like this. Depending on the way that you drive here, you might get to cut through the mountains and get a great view of Uniontown from afar. So lovely if you catch it at sunset. If you drive a different way, odds are you'll still see some interesting things along your route. This time we passed a cute bakery and stopped for a pie on our way home, which I like almost as much as a good sunset. When you drive into Ohiopyle, you'll see the park on one side of the road and some little shops on the other. There are campgrounds here if you're into that, too. The Falls Market and Restaurant is usually my go-to for a good bite to eat or some ice cream. Also a big fan of the little store with the homemade jellies and fun candies from the local candy makers. You can rent a raft or kayak or get a guided white water rafting tour of the waters which I did once in 8th grade. It was so fun and I haven't had the chance to do it again since, but I would definitely like to! Most state parks are cool but this is one of my absolute favorites. I could spend a day from sunrise to sunset here just hanging out, wading in the river and exploring the trails. When my boyfriend and I visited last weekend we had a great time just sitting on the rocks with our feet in the water soaking up the sun. Not often do we get days with temperatures in the upper 80s in late September, but when we do we have to make the most of them! The best time to visit, in my opinion, is when the leaves are changing color in early October. Not only will your drive in be gorgeous, but the view you'll have from the park is breathtaking. Hopefully we get another nice day to visit this fall, but I'll always have a special place in my heart for this place! read more

Ohiopyle State Park - Love the falls here! - Parks Near Me - Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania

Easy drive from Pittsburgh! We didn't visit to white water raft - we just explored the area. Ohiopyle is just charming!! Cucumber falls was so cool!! Making it down the falls was a challenge but a fun journey. I loved that you can actually walk behind the falls. Plenty of areas to overlook the beautiful mountains. Bittersweet Café & Silver Horse Coffee were some of our favorite stops in the area. I bet this area is beautiful in the fall .. we will be returning. read more

Ohio Pyle is a lovely state park in PA! There is so much to do and see here! We visited too early in the season for white water rafting but they apparently have some of the best in the country. Next time that is on my list of things to do in the park. We did a bunch of short hikes, enjoyed lunch in town, and drove ALL around the park! read more

See all

Beautiful park! Stayed in the area for a few days. Day 1 was a walk to Cucumber Falls (so beautiful), and dinner at the Falls City Pub. Day 2 was a day hike on the Ferncliff Trail which was super cool, and lunch at the visitor center gift shop. Views are phenomenal, air is clean, and it's beautiful. I'd definitely return for more hiking and cool waterfall views! read more

Outstanding place to go. Scenic and unapologetically lush in nature's efflorescence. I am a bit biased as I've been going here my whole life. There's plenty to explore from creeks, rocks, waterfalls, camping, caves, fishing, hiking, biking and much more. It's a place to get away. Nature really can be a great way of relaxing the mind. There is also geocaching, waterslides, a playground, a train that passes by and endless possibilities. If you are anywhere near Pittsburgh this would be the number one place I'd recommend you to stop. It's the best of what's around. Located an hour and twenty minutes from Pittsburgh, fully worth the trip. Also noteworthy to mention that nearby there's Frank Lloyd Wrights creations(Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob) as well as Fort Necessity. Nothing beats nature. read more

See all

I was so very impressed by this park today hiking with the Pittsburgh Hiking Meetup group. There are such nice views to be had of several waterfalls. Cucumber Falls was especially nice; you could actually walk under the falls when we were there. Depending on your source of information, I've seen listed somewhere between 80 and 100 miles of hiking trails exist within the expansive park. Along our trails were many rhododendons; I'll just have to figure out the timing of their blooming season as I'm sure that would be magnificant to hike amongst them. Also, there were several places in and near the water with ample room to sit on rocks and enjoy the surroundings. Parking is a cinch and there are restroom facitlies at the park entrance (flushing ones with running water at sinks vs. outhouses). There are no entrance or parking fees. Dogs are allowed. Very nice maps were available for free on our visit near the 3-tiered deck in the parking area (don't know if that's always the case but it was welcomed). Other activities besides hiking include white-water rafting (apparently this is a hot spot for such activity), and bike trails. read more

Ohiopyle State Park - Parks Near Me - Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania

See all

Ohiopyle is one of the best parks I've ever been to. There is always something to do or see in all times of the year. It has been really built up over years. When they first put the bike trail in, it was just a tiny town and now there are restaurants and people everywhere. I definitely recommend going to the visitors center, the natural water slides, and cucumber falls. The overlook on Sugarloaf road is another little stop. There is also a nature reserve and Fallingwater not far away, as well as a number of campgrounds. Ohiopyle is truly the gem of our region and unlike any other place on earth. read more

Ohiopyle State Park - Sugarloaf Overlook in the winter - Parks Near Me - Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania

Well let's see! Amazing!!! Is a little hard to say but it's really true! My family and I ended up here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We decided to take the trail that walked you along the river!! It was beautiful!! Truly something to see!! This was so beautiful!! We walked for about 30 minutes or so. It was definitely a nice stroll. The entire sour rounding area of ohiopyle is really nice:-) to include the eateries that were not open It was a nice winter day and they probably didn't expect the business!this place is perfect for bringing a lawn chair and taking in some sun while having a nice pic NIC! Infact it was a few people out just watching the water! It's a pretty cool sight and apparently their is a waterfall nearby we will be trying that walk next time. You can also bike ride here:-) what a great place for the family or even an avid hiker read more

See all

I was here only for a brief moment after visiting Falling Water but the 15 minutes standing by the river and Ohiopyle falls, it gives you a real appreciation of how large this river is and how soothing nature can be. The falls and parking is only 10 minutes away via a winding road from Falling Water and it definitely is worth the small trek. The state park is very well maintained and right off the road, there is very easy and plentiful parking. The lookout over the falls is incredibly picturesque and you can really admire the river from that advantage point. There's something quite silencing about hearing the natural roar of the falls tumbling over the rocks. Even if you only have a spare moment, it's definitely worth the 15 minutes to park and take it in! read more

See all

Loved this park! Only a 90 min beautiful drive from Pittsburgh. We parked at the lot at the intersection of main st and Kentuck rd. Then we walked on the great gorge trail to cucumber falls. Pretty slippery and rocky trail but rather short. Probably less than a mile away. Walking along the Youghlogheny river was incredible. We watched the whitewater rafters come down the river. People were fishing and picnicking along the banks of the river. Cucumber falls is absolutely beautiful. You can actually walk right underneath the falls if you wanted to. Awesome park not far at all from Pittsburgh. Plenty of parking, even with the park being so crowded. Def looking forward to checking out more hiking trails in the next several months. read more

Grateful for a weekend spent with family at Ohiopyle State Park in western Pennsylvania near Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. Our day visit included a visit to the nature center which was surprisingly modern and updated, hiking down to a waterfall as well as an overlook with the mountains. The park is free to visit with easy parking and a variety of physical activity offerings ranging from white river rafting and rock slides to shopping and picnic areas. I also found the park to be fairly dog friendly (we brought our American bulldog along for the ride). If you have an extra half hour, set some time aside to explore the visitor center. The exhibits highlight the culture and history of the people, land and animals that call Ohiopyle "home". The center also offers a beautiful (and up close) view of the falls that is great for pictures. read more

See all

Something happens to us when we find ourselves in nature. We seem to become a more respectful, mindful person. Somehow we seem to become friendlier to one another, it's easier to smile at one another when you don't seem to have to worry about the technological world we now live in. It's kind of hard to write a review for Ohiopyle. There is so much here to do and see that to focus on just one place would not be a quality review. I will try my best to overview how amazing this place is to visit, but take it from me, visit for yourself. We started out by stopping at Cucumber Falls, probably one of the more busy spots when you come here. People everywhere, but so mindful of the surroundings. Making our way down here was a bit of a task, but so worth it. It's a nice area to just hang out for a day as evidence of people just standing on rocks taking in the day. After this we made our way to the main area where you will find a visitor center and probably one of the most photographed spot in the whole park. Having visited here with my niece and nephew we spent a lot of time here taking in the view and walking the trail. The trail here is lined with information of the history of this place. It's a great thing to have seeing how most people have no clue about this natural wonder. Go inside the visitor center and learn a bit more about the area, also take advantage of all the things that kids can do here with the interactive exhibits. The last thing we did while we were here was to take in the sights from the overlooks. This is especially an exciting thing to do if people are riding the rapids. It's entertaining and thrilling to watch people go over the falls. Unfortunately for us we didn't get to do everything that we wanted to do while we were here, but that's an excuse we won't mind using. We will definitely be back to explore some more of this area and maybe take in some famous architecture. read more

Great place to bike, hike, raft! What else can you ask! Lower Yough rafting on some fun rapids and other great people! Yahoo! Fun, Fun, Fun! Biking some of the trails is rather easy since they are Rails to Trails. Great scenery! Neat waterslide! Bride Veil Falls is wonderful! read more

Beautiful and fun! Tons of activities. Swimming, white water rafting, hiking, biking, camping etc etc. Home to several beautiful waterfalls and easy to access vistas. Decently well marked trails for hiking as well. My favorite thing about this park is the little town right in the middle! With a few stores, restaurants and a bar, it really makes this state park unique and very convenient. I don't have to rush 25 min to the nearest sheetz after my hike, I feel like I can go and have a snack and relax a while. read more

Love this place and have rafted these waters since I was 12 - dozens of times. One time in a 2 man duckie - like an inflatable kayak by ourselves - not with the traditional big group. It was Outstanding - we hustled down the rapids taking on every rapid grouping with no hesitation and then landed and I ran back several miles to get the car. The good old days of being in phenomenal shape! read more