Laurel Ridge State Park

The 13,625-acre Laurel Ridge State Park stretches along Laurel Mountain from the picturesque Youghiogheny River At Ohiopyle, PA to the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown, PA. This large park spans Cambria, Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties. The main feature of the park is the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, which features trail shelters for overnight camping. Laurel Ridge State Park is featured in a 30-minute video created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Cable Network, which is available for purchase at their Web site. www.pcntv.com/stateparks.html

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Directions - Weather  - Recreation  - Laurel Ridge Hiking Trail  - Winter Report  - Accessibility  - Wildlife Watching  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

Laurel Ridge State Park is in Cambria, Fayette, Westmoreland, and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania.

Park Office:

From Somerset: Take PA 281 South from Somerset through New Centerville to New Lexington. At New Lexington take PA 653 West for seven miles.

From Donegal: Take PA 711/381 South to Normalville. Take PA 381 South for one-quarter mile. Turn left on PA 653 East for six miles.

Recreational Opportunities

Cross-country Skiing: About 35 miles of trail are available for cross-county skiing. Please check with the park office to see which sections are suitable for skiing. A free map is available from the park office.

There is also a 20-mile cross-country ski touring concession adjacent to the Route 653 parking area. Fee required on this trail. View conditions and snow depth on the live Web cam.

Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

Snowmobiling: A trail system of over 70 miles is open daily after the end of the antlerless deer season in late December. The trail is on state park and state forest lands. Snowmobiles are restricted to designated trails and are not permitted on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.

Hunting and Firearms: Almost all of Laurel Ridge State Park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs from the fall archery season until March 31 of the following year. Common game species are deer, turkey and grouse.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day to March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or leased campsite. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.

For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail

This major 70-mile hiking and backpacking trail from Ohiopyle State Park to near Johnstown is the main feature of the park. The trail traverses state parks, state forests, state game lands, other public lands and private lands.

The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is open year-round and is blazed approximately every 100 feet with 2-inch and 5-inch yellow blazes. Connector trails lead to and from parking and shelter areas and are marked with blue blazes. Mileage monuments are every mile. Pets are permitted.

A Hiker’s Guide to the Laurel Highlands Trail is available from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club. The guide describes the trail and aids in planning outings. Included in the guide are detailed topographic maps plus information on geology, climate, plants and wildlife. www.alleghenysc.org/

Large wooden signs mark trail access points at every major highway crossing. Six 30-car parking areas provide starting points and water. In addition, voluntary day use registration booths are located in each of the parking areas and the trail user is encouraged to fill out information cards for vital park attendance data and for use in an emergency. For overnight use of the trail see below Laurel Highlands Trail Regulations.

Shelter Areas

There are eight overnight shelter areas. One is located approximately every 6 to 12 miles along the trail. Each area contains five Adirondack-type shelters with fireplaces, two non-flush toilets, a water supply and spaces for 30 tents.

Make a reservation

In order to better serve you, please participate in our survey about backpacking trails.

Summary of Parking Lots and Trail Shelters

Hiking Tips

Every hiker’s pace varies but a suggested pace of 1.5 miles per hour is average. In general, Laurel Ridge is cooler and receives more precipitation than the surrounding valleys.

Know the climate and weather conditions on the trail. Dress appropriately and layer clothing. Bring extra clothing, rain gear, water, insect repellent, sunglasses, sunscreen, and poison ivy block.

Drink only from provided water sources.

Supervise children in you care. This is particularly important when hiking.

Leave a copy of your plans with friends or relatives. Include contact phone numbers and other important information.

Wear fluorescent orange when hiking during hunting seasons.

Familiarize yourself with the natural hazards of the trail.

Bring emergency equipment like a first aid kit, whistle, compass, matches and a blanket.

Don’t forget the camera.

Regulations

To protect hikers and the trail, the following regulations have been established.

Overnight Reservations are Mandatory

Reservations for the entire trip are mandatory and can be made up to 11 months in advance.

Make a reservation

An overnight camping fee is charged per night/per individual in the backpacking party.

For current rates, please contact at the park office at 724-455-3744 or call 888-PA-PARKS for a current Pennsylvania State Parks Price Guide.

Contact the park office at 724-455-3744 for reservations and additional information. Summer Season - The park office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed weekends and holidays. However, phone reservations can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the park voice messaging system. Park personnel will return your call the next business day.

Camping is only permitted in the shelter areas and overnight stays are limited to one night at each shelter area.

Backpacking groups are limited to the use of one shelter at each overnight stop.

A typical shelter can accommodate from four to six campers. Areas adjacent to the shelter are available for setting up campsites for additional backpacking party members. All excavations for wet weather tent drainage must be filled in to the original grade before departure.

One responsible adult (18 years of age or older) is required to accompany each 10 campers.

The responsible adult for each backpacking party must phone the park office prior to starting an overnight trail hike to register the backpacking party. Please be prepared to provide the following information when you call the park office to register your hiking party:

• Group Leader Name
• Group Leader Address
• Emergency Phone Number and Cell Phone Number (if one is being carried during the trip)
• Date(s) of Overnight Stay(s)
• Name of Shelter Area(s) your group will be using
• Name of Entry Point to the trail
• Description of Vehicle(s) left at designated parking area(s) (please do not leave valuables in vehicles)
• Number of people in the hiking party

Backpacking groups are limited to the use of one shelter at each overnight stop.

Park rangers may verify your reservations each night at all shelter and tent areas.

Campers must clean and remove litter daily at: toilets pump platforms and surrounding areas, parking areas and campsites.

Dispose of dishwater in latrines and do not use sinks for personal hygiene. In no instance will dishwater be disposed of on a campsite or in an adjacent area. This causes unsanitary conditions for the camper and the next user of the site. Unsanitary conditions attract skunks, raccoons, mosquitoes, flies and ants.

Fires are only permitted in camp stoves, fireplaces or in designated locations.

Fires must be extinguished when unattended. Leave all ashes in the fireplaces and do no rake them onto the ground. This prevents ashes from entering the shelters during wet weather.

No horses, bicycles or motorized vehicles are permitted on the hiking trail or in the shelter area.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

All garbage must be placed in provided refuse containers.

Refuse containers shall not be removed from designated "pick-up" stations. Burying garbage is prohibited.

Horseplay and climbing onto the roofs of buildings is prohibited.

These activities not only damage park resources and facilities, but also can lead to serious or fatal accidents. When backpacking, hikers can be many hours from medical attention.

Please no frivolous 911 calls.

Responding emergency personnel and equipment may be at your expense.

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. An enterprise of many partners, the evolving trail network celebrates the heritage of the Potomac and upper Ohio river basins and offers opportunities for hiking, bicycling, boating, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. National Park Service Passport Stamps for the trail are available at the Laurel Ridge State Park Office and at the visitor center in Ohiopyle. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/pohe.

Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

Friends of Laurel Hill State Park Complex

The Friends of Laurel Hill State Park Complex is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing the Laurel Hill State Park Complex. It as an affiliate chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forestry Foundation, and is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization, which means that your contribution is tax deductible. Any money that you donate to the Friends will benefit the Laurel Hill State Park Complex directly. The Friends coordinate a wide variety of volunteer activities that benefit the parks. www.friendsoflhsp.org/

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions, contact the Laurel Highlands Vacation Bureau. www.laurelhighlands.org

In an Emergency

Contact a park employee or dial 911.
Responding emergency personnel and equipment may be at your expense.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.

For More Information Contact

Laurel Ridge State Park
1117 Jim Mountain Road
Rockwood, PA 15557-5454
724-455-3744
Manager: Michael Mumau

E-mail: laurelridgesp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.