Ohiopyle State Park

Trails

Biking

27 miles of trails

The Youghiogheny River Trail has 27 miles of trail in the park and is part of the Great Allegheny Passage that connects Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cumberland, Maryland. The flat, crushed limestone trail was once the rail bed for the Western Maryland Railroad. This trail is suitable for all ages and accessible to people with disabilities. Rental bicycles are available. The trail is excellent for hiking, jogging and cross-country skiing and can be used to combine a bike ride or hike with some excellent wilderness trout fishing or hunting. All motorized vehicles and equestrians are prohibited.

From the Ramcat Launch Area and Trailhead Parking Area in the east side of the park, the trail descends at a 1% downhill grade to the Train Station/Visitor’s Center parking lot in the town of Ohiopyle. Bikers/hikers can enjoy this 10-mile trail section and watch canoers and rafters travel through the class I and II rapids.

From the Train Station/Visitor’s Center parking lot in the town of Ohiopyle, the 17 miles of trail crosses the river twice and descends at a 3% grade to the western park border. Visitors can also park in Ferncliff Peninsula Parking Area. Bikes are not permitted on the trails of the Ferncliff Peninsula. Along the trail are mile markers and posts with the initials of the famous rapids in the river. There is plentiful parking in the town of Connellsville in parking lots on Third Street and in the Youghiogheny Riverfront Park.

Trail Biking

13.2 miles of trails

The Sugarloaf Snowmobile and Mountain Bike Area has 9.4 miles of mountain bike/equestrian trails. Sugarloaf Trail stretches 3.8 miles from the edge of the Sugarloaf Snowmobile and Mountain Bike Area to the Middle Take-out Parking Area in the town of Ohiopyle.

Horseback Riding

9.4 miles of trails

The Sugarloaf Snowmobile and Mountain Bike Area has 9.4 miles of mountain bike/equestrian trails. A separate parking area is off of Grover Road and has a fenced paddock and nearby water. Trail-Side Stables offers trail rides in Ohiopyle State Park.

Hiking

79 miles of trails

Always bring a map, water and wear sturdy shoes when hiking. Specific trail maps are available at the park office and the Train Station/Visitor Center.

Baughman Trail: 3.4 miles , difficult - This trail has trailheads at the back of the Middle Yough Take-out Parking Area adjacent to the Train Station/Visitor Center in Downtown Ohiopyle and at the Mountain Biking Trail parking lot. This steep, rocky trail passes Baughman Rock, a spectacular overlook of the Youghiogheny River Gorge.

Beech Trails: 2.7 miles total , moderately difficult
The Beech Loop begins at the Kentuck Campground Amphitheater and connects to the Beech Trail and Sproul Trails. The 2.1-mile Beech Trail passes through a forest of towering American beech trees and leads to the Great Gorge Trail.

Great Gorge Trail: 2.6 miles , moderate
This trail begins at the Cucumber Picnic Area and crosses several bridges and roads. The trail follows Cucumber Run and past an area known for its spring wildflowers. The next trail section follows an old tramway used to transport coal to the railroad. A spur of this trail leads up a steep incline to the Kentuck Campground.

Jonathan Run Trail: 1.7-mile , easy
The trailhead is along the Holland Hill Road. The trail crisscrosses Jonathan Run and passes by small waterfalls, including Jonathan Run Falls. The trail connects to the Youghiogheny River Trail.

Kentuck Trail: 2.5 miles , moderately difficult
This series of trails begins at the Tharp Knob Picnic Area. A short one-mile loop includes the Tharp Knob Overlook. The trail continues to the Kentuck Campground contact station, briefly follows the road, then descends to meet Jonathan Run Trail. The trail then leads to the Youghiogheny River Trail, and finally splits off and climbs the gorge to meet the Old Mitchell Trail.

McCune Trail: 1.2-mile , easy
This trail passes through various habitats and by an old spring house and pond which are all that remain from the McCune Farm.

Meadow Run Trail: 3 miles , easy
There are trailheads near the park office, at the waterslides on SR 2011 and at Cucumber Falls on SR 2019. From the waterslides parking lot take the left trail under the SR 381 bridge for 0.7-mile to Cucumber Falls. Take the trail to the right, which leads to a loop trail and the Cascades. This trail is intersected by a path leading to the SR 2011 trailhead.

Old Mitchell Trail Loop: 1.8-mile , moderate
This loop trail begins at the Old Mitchell Place Parking Area in the west side of the park. The trail meanders through a variety of habitats including forest and meadow and is excellent for birding in the spring.

Sproul Trails: 3.7 miles , easy
These five interconnecting loops are just north of the Kentuck Campground, near the second overflow parking area outside of the campground.

Sugarloaf Trail: 3.8 miles , difficult
This hiking/biking/snowmobiling trail begins near the Train Station/Visitor Center. The trailhead is at the back of the Middle Youghiogheny Take-out Parking Area, to the right of the Youghiogheny River Trail. The trail climbs 800 feet in elevation in two steep sections. The trail connects to the main trail bike area near Sugarloaf Knob.

Sugar Run Trail: 1.6-mile , moderate
This trail connects Old Mitchell Trail to Jonathan Run Trail.

Youghiogheny River Trail: 27 miles , easy
Explore the Biking section for more information.

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: This 70-mile, very difficult, year-round backpacking trail has its southern end in Ohiopyle and it’s northern end near Johnstown. The trail traverses state parks, state forests, state game lands, other public lands and private lands. An overnight shelter area is located every 8-10 miles along the trail and has five adirondack-type shelters with fireplaces, non-flush toilets, a water supply and spaces for 30 tents.

The Ohiopyle section of the trail is 6.3 miles of very strenuous and rocky hiking. There are beautiful overlooks and creeks along the way. Reservations for backpack camping are required and must be made by contacting: Laurel Ridge State Park

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.

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