Guide to Ohiopyle
By Jessica LaRosa
For anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, Ohiopyle State Park is less than a 2-hour drive away. Aside from providing a peaceful and serene atmosphere, Ohiopyle offers great white water rafting, bike trails, and some very unique natural waterslides in addition to absolutely beautiful scenery. Whether you go for the day, or take advantage of the local campgrounds for an over-night stay, it's a fun and affordable place to enjoy the great outdoors!
White Water Rafting:
Laurel Highlands River Tours
P. O. Box 107, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
800-4-RAFTIN (800-472-3846)
Business Directory Listing
Ohiopyle Trading Post
P. O. Box 94, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
888-OHIOPYLE (888-644-6795)
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White Water Adventurers
P. O. Box 31, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
800-WWA-RAFT (800-992-7238)
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Wilderness Voyageurs
P. O. Box 97, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
800-272-4141
Business Directory Listing
Believe it or not, the Youghiogheny River provides some of the best rafting east of the Mississippi River. Whether you're a thrill-seeking adventurer looking to navigate through some Class IV rapids, or a rafting novice looking to make your first trip down the river, Ohiopyle offers something for everyone. The Youghiogheny is generally broken up into different sections according to the difficulty of its rapids, with the Upper Yough providing challenging Class V rapids, the Middle Yough offering family friendly Class I and II rapids, and the popular Lower Yough offering Class III rapids. Both private and guided tours are available through a variety of different outfitters that will be able to provide you with the information you need to choose the best trip for your family. To ensure your spot on a raft, it is suggested that you book this adventure in advance.
Biking:
Website: Ohiopyle State Park Trails
Ohiopyle provides quick and easy access to 27 miles of flat trails and 25 miles of mountain biking trails, offering options for bikers of all ages. Running through the park is the Great Allegheny Passage, a bike trail that actually runs from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. Since the terrain remains relatively flat and easy as it winds alongside the Youghiogheny River, this trail is perfect for the whole family. For those looking for a more intense ride, the Sugarloaf Trail System offers some steep climbs and exciting descents. There are plenty of other options as well, so be sure to check out a map of the trails before heading out. Regardless of the path you choose, there are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the beautiful scenery provided by the river and surrounding areas. Best of all, there's no need to bring your own bike. You can easily rent a bike at one of the many shops in downtown Ohiopyle for a low hourly or daily rate. (The outfitters listed under White Water Rafting all offer bike rentals.)
Natural Waterslides:
Meadow Run
Parking: Adjacent to the State Route 381 (Main Street) Bridge, crossing Meadow Run
Thanks to years of water erosion, Ohiopyle offers some of the most unique waterslides around – natural waterslides! As part of Meadow Run, these "slides" attract thousands of visitors each year and are a definite must-see attraction within the park. Sit in the stream at the top of either of the two slides, and let the water take you down its natural path! It's just like an amusement park, only a bit more rough and free of charge.
Camping:
Kentuck Campground
Ohiopyle State Park
P.O. Box 105
Ohiopyle, PA 15470-0105
724-329-8591
Kentuck Campground Reservations
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Scarlet Knob Campground
133 Scarlett Knob Rd
Ohiopyle, PA 15470
(724) 329-5200
Website: www.scarlettknobcampground.com
Benner's Campground
315 Sr2015 Nelson Rd
Farmington, PA 15437
(724) 329-4097
Business Directory Listing
Looking to spend a night under the stars, roasting marshmallows and enjoying a fire? Look no further than Ohiopyle's Kentuck Campground. All sites come with a picnic table, fire ring, and parking space. If you're prepared to rough it out for the night and bring your own tent, there are about 200 sites available from April through December. If you're not quite ready to be that close to nature, there are also cottages, walled tents, and electric hook-ups for those who own campers. In addition to the park-owned Kentuck Campground, the area offers multiple campgrounds for over-night stays.
Much More
It would be impossible to list all of the attractions of Ohiopyle in a single post, so be sure to visit the Ohiopyle website for more information on hiking, horse-back riding, sight-seeing, waterfalls, fishing, rock-climbing, and more.
Jessica LaRosa is a fitness and Pittsburgh enthusiast currently residing in suburban Philadelphia. You can follow her healthy living journey at www.forthefunoffit.wordpress.com.
