Sightseeing in the West

A restored gristmill grinds corn and other grains.  There are frequent tours and presentations in the summer season. Explore McConnells Mill for more information.

The site of the world's first commercial oil well, Oil Creek State Park tells the story of the early petroleum industry by interpreting oil boom towns, oil wells and early transportation. Explore Oil Creek for more information.

The Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet at Point State Park to form the Ohio River. During the mid-1700s, the armies of France and Britain were attracted to this area, each vying for control of the Ohio Valley. Explore Point for more inormation on the history and interpretive displays and a museum.

Where Perry kept his fleet in the War of 1812. Explore Presque Isle for more information.

Jennings has the only prarie on public lands in Pennsylvania. The center also has forests, which include stream valleys, upland forests, and wetlands, which provide diverse habitats for wildlife. Explore Jennings for more information.

Keystone State Park hosts a wide range of plant and animal life. These natural attractions offer an exciting adventure for visitors willing to sit, watch and listen for these hidden wonders. Stop at the visitor center for a bird checklist or to learn about the natural sites and wildlife of the area. Explore Keystone for more information.

One of the most exciting reasons to visit the park is for its scenery. Spring wildflowers dot the forest floor in early April followed by a vibrant green forest, as leaf out begins in late April. Mountain laurel blooms in June and rhododendron blooms in late June and early July. Come to the park in mid-October and witness fall color in all its glory. Winter is spectacular when the park is covered in a deep blanket of snow and the occasional great horned owl calls through the moon-lit forest. Explore Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail for more information.

The rich flora and fauna of Laurel Hill State Park make it a great place to watch wildlife year-round. The mixed-deciduous forest is dominated by oak, maple, cherry and poplar trees with an understory of witch hazel, serviceberry, rhododendron and mountain laurel. Although most of the park was timbered in the early 1900s, for unknown reasons the Hemlock Natural Area remains intact. The massive eastern hemlocks of this six-acre, old growth stand are now approaching the climax stage of succession. Explore Laurel Hill for more information.

One of the most exciting reasons to visit the park is for its scenery. Spring wildflowers dot the forest floor in early April followed by a vibrant green forest, as leaf out begins in late April. Mountain laurel blooms in June and rhododendron blooms in late June and early July. Come to the park in mid-October and witness fall color in all its glory. Winter is spectacular when the park is covered in a deep blanket of snow and the occasional great horned owl calls through the moon-lit forest. Explore Laurel Ridge for more information.

The large lake, abundant wetlands, old fields and mature forests provide a diversity of habitats that attracts wildlife in all seasons. Explore Maurice K. Goddard for more information.

The 930-acre Slippery Rock Gorge was designated a National Natural Landmark and a State Park Natural Area. The steep-sided gorge contains numerous rocky outcrops, boulders, old growth forest, waterfalls and rare plants. Cleland Rock Vista is a great place to view the gorge. Explore McConnells Mill for more information.

Lake Arthur provides over forty miles of scenic shoreline. Its tributaries include Muddy Run, Big Run, Swamp Run, Bear Run and over 75 intermittent streams. Ranging from an average depth of 12 feet to about 36 feet deep near the dam, the shallow waters are home to a variety of warm water fish. Frogs, newts, turtles and water snakes prowl the edges of the lake. Avian anglers like the tall great blue heron, its short cousin the green-backed heron and the small belted kingfisher prey on minnows and fish fry, too small to be caught by human anglers. In the early spring, common loons stop at the lake on their migration to the far north. Osprey may be seen flying over Lake Arthur. Once extirpated from Western Pennsylvania, these "fish hawks" have been reintroduced to Moraine through a four-year hacking program begun in 1993. The first osprey pair to nest along Lake Arthur as a result of the reintroduction effort raised three young in 1996.

River valleys are natural corridors for wildlife. Ohipyle has the national natural landmark Ferncliff Penninsula and many waterfalls. Explore Ohiopyle for more information.

There are six distinct ecological zones on Presque Isle, each with a different plant and animal community. The record of geological succession can be traced through each of these zones. The zones include: Lake Erie, the bay and shoreline; sand plain and new ponds; dunes and ridges; old ponds and marshes; thicket and sub-climax forest; and climax forest. Explore Presque Isle for more information.

Natural areas have unique scenic, geologic or ecological value and are set aside for scientific observation and to protect outstanding examples of natural interest and beauty. Pymatuning has two natural areas. Blackjack Swamp consists of 725 acres and provides habitat for unique natural communities. In the northern part of the lake is Clark Island which has 161 acres of mature hardwood and white pine forest. Visitors are welcome to explore these undeveloped natural areas.

The 314-acre Wildflower Reserve contains one of the most diverse stands of wildflowers in western Pennsylvania. Over 500 species of plants have been identified in the Reserve. Explore Raccoon Creek for more information.

Birds abound at Yellow Creek State Park. The lake is a magnet for migrants. A local birding groups meets frequently to bird the park.