• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

    Life On The Roam

    I love OATs: Outdoors, Art & Travel

    • Home
    • About
    • Blog
    • Destinations
    • Travel Tips
      • Save on Accommodation
    • Resources
      • Travel Resources

    6 Unmissable Hiking Trails and Falls for an Exciting Day in Ohiopyle State Park

    By Mayra Carvajal

    The rolling hills of Southwestern Pennsylvania are home to the Ohiopyle State Park, an outdoor heaven with more than 20,000 acres of tree-covered landscape. 

    The contrast of the Laurel Mountain foliage with the dark tones and white crests of the Youghiogheny River form a mesmerizing backdrop for 79 miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic views of the deepest gorge in Pennsylvania.

    If you’re visiting Pittsburgh, this is a wonderful day trip to enjoy the great outdoors. Stay a few days in the Laurel Highlands and throw some art in the mix by seeing great examples of organic architecture when touring Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses (can’t miss Fallingwater!), a stone’s throw away from the park.

    Whitewater rafting, horseback riding, camping, and biking are other activities you can do here. During winter you’ll find trails for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

    Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through those links I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you (zero, nada). To check the full disclaimer, click here.

    These are some not-to-miss hiking trails and waterfalls you can enjoy on a day trip to Ohiopyle State Park.

    Pin me!

    Ohiopyle Falls

    A waterfall in a forest
    The Ohiopyle Falls

    Our first stop was at the visitor centre where we got an overview of the activities we could do in the park and what we could do in one day. 

    Within walking distance, we found the perfect start to our trip: the beautiful Ohiopyle Falls. From the observation deck, we had a wonderful view of the raging waters before and after the 20-foot drop that creates the waterfall.


    Meadow Run Trail

    A trail next to a creek
    A section of the Meadow Run Trail

    Nearby is the Meadow Run Trail where you can walk on huge, flat boulders bordering the Youghiogheny River while you see the contrast of the strong current of the river with the mirror-lake ponds near the shore.

    A calm pond with trees and sky reflecting on the water
    Sit next to mirror-like ponds

    Between the visitor centre and the Meadow Run Trail, you can have fun at the Meadow Run Natural Water Slides.

    We kept walking alongside the water on the Meadow Run Trail and started going uphill inside the forest on a narrow path leading to Cucumber Falls.

    A narrow trail in a forest
    The trail section that leads to Cucumber Falls
    A creek shaded by trees with fall foliage
    Access to the falls hike at the end of Meadow Run Trail

    Cucumber Falls

    A bridal veil fall in a forest
    Cucumber Falls

    I can’t say that this bridal veil fall is the most majestic I’ve seen; however, the surroundings are stunning.

    The 30-foot tall overhang projects forward as a thin cantilevered slab, creating an ethereal scene with a concave gorge that lets you walk behind the falls.

    People walking behind a bridal veil fall
    The beautiful surroundings

    It was quite fun to cross the creek balancing on the rocks and walk along the gorge to delight in the forest, the waterfalls and the gorgeous suspended rock formations from different viewpoints.




    Great Gorge Trail, Ohiopyle High Bride and Great Allegheny Passage (GAP)

    A sign in a trail pointing to Great Gorge
    On the way to the Great Gorge

    From Cucumber Falls we followed the Great Gorge Trail under the shade of huge trees to reach the Ohiopyle High Bridge, stepping into the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), a 150 miles trail that can take you to Pittsburgh or to Cumberland (Maryland), and even further, to Washington D.C. if you continue on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath (C&O Canal).

    A trail in the forest shaded by tall trees
    Great Gorge Trail
    A pedestrian bridge in a state park
    The Ohiopyle High Bridge

    We stood on the bridge to admire the 360-degree view of nothing but tree-covered mountains and the river below us, dotted with kayaks and rafts.

    Kayakers on a river
    Kayak on the river

    Lower Yough Classic White Water Tour: add more excitement to your Ohiopyle trip by rafting in class 2-4 rapids of the Youghiogheny River, with experienced guides.
    Raft in the park with this tour, with a 4.9/5 rating based on more than 325 reviews.


    Ferncliff Natural Area

    A river path with views of a bridge
    View of the Ohiopyle High Bridge from the Ferncliff Area

    We crossed the Ohiopyle High Bridge and followed the GAP to reach the Ferncliff Natural Area, a peninsula with nearly three miles of trails going through a mature hardwood forest, fern-covered patches and riverside paths. The trails let you explore the forest and be next to the water on a quite easy hike, enjoying views of the bridges over the Youghiogheny River.

    Trees in a forest trail
    The beautiful trails
    View of a bridge from the river shore
    View of the GAP Trail Bridge

    Baughman Rock Overlook

    A view of the mountains
    The Baughman Rock overlook

    If you’re after another scenic view of the river gorge, you can hike the Baughman Trail or you can drive to the lookout, located within a short walk from the road.


    I loved the river walks, waterfalls, and hiking trails we did on our day trip to Ohiopyle from Pittsburgh. It was just enough to get a taste of the beauty of the Laurel Highlands region, its hiking trails, and waterfalls. Next on my list? Get on a kayak or a raft and explore the river and start planning a biking trip along the Great Allegheny Passage.


    YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ

    A house in a forest on top of a waterfall

    Frank Lloyd Wright Magic in Laurel Highlands: Fallingwater + 4 Dazzling Houses

    A trail in a forest

    10 Best Things to Do Outdoors in Pittsburgh, PA

    The Best Museums and Architecture in Pittsburgh


    BOOKING FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

    Book your flight without losing your shirt

    We check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights. Also, check Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, (and Skyscanner on the premium service) to find the best airfares.

    To find a place to stay for less

    Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels, apartments, and private rooms in hostels.

    Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%.  Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.

    House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities… Are you an animal lover? It may become your new way to travel.

    To get travel insurance

    SafetyWing: travel medical insurance that gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and suitable for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.

    Check the full list of travel resources on my Resource Page for more options and savings

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Email

    About Mayra Carvajal

    Hi, I’m Mayra. A full-time nomad with an appetite for travelling. Art and design are my salt and pepper, with a side order of nature and outdoors. When I’m not gazing at architecture or any other form of art, you’ll see me on a hiking trail, at the top of an ancient ruin, or under a beach umbrella. Here you’ll find practical tips for independent trips, travel stories, and images that may inspire you to explore a new place or high-five your creative muse. Read my About page if you want to learn more about how this site can help you travel more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa

      April 21, 2022 at 1:10 PM

      This park looks absolutely gorgeous! I’ll make sure to visit it sometime, can’t wait to see the beauty with my own eyes!

      • Mayra Carvajal

        April 24, 2022 at 9:09 AM

        It’s gorgeous. The river, the waterfalls, the mountains!

    2. Walk Along With Us

      April 21, 2022 at 9:19 PM

      We love to hike when we travel. Will definitely add this to our must dos when in the area. Thanks for sharing!

      • Mayra Carvajal

        April 24, 2022 at 9:09 AM

        Thanks for reading! This is only a fraction of all the trails you can enjoy around the Laurel Highlands.

    3. Kae

      April 21, 2022 at 10:32 PM

      Very nice read! Now I want to start planning my trip to Pittsburg! 😊

      • Mayra Carvajal

        April 24, 2022 at 9:08 AM

        Excellent choice! You’ll find many outdoor things to do in and around Pittsburgh.

    4. Lani

      May 9, 2022 at 7:43 AM

      These places are breathtaking. No one beats the beauty of Nature. Thanks for sharing

      • Mayra Carvajal

        May 11, 2022 at 12:40 PM

        You’re 100% right about that. No one beats the beauty of nature!

    Don’t Miss Out

    Latest posts and extra tips, once a week

    We will use and protect your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest

    Terms and Conditions

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Copyright © 2025 · Life On The Roam · All Rights Reserved ·

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT