Good Doggos Need a Vacation Too!
A getaway to the mountains doesn’t just have to be a refresh for you, it can also include your four-legged friends! Dogs need to breathe that fresh mountain air, run through the trees, and even roll in the mud! Exercise is one of the healthiest things you can do for your pet, and we know how hard that can be with the hustle and bustle of daily life and working full time jobs. So, bring your doggos along on vacation too, they deserve it!
Ohiopyle State Park and Bear Run Nature Reserve are both dog friendly and offer hundreds of miles of hiking trails. There are so many hiking trails, varying in length and difficulty, for you and man’s best friend to enjoy. You can take in the views, and they can take in all the new smells, it is honestly a win-win!
And you don’t have to worry about finding a place to stay either. Many of Ohiopyle Vacation Rental’s houses are pet friendly and welcome both you and your pet, so there is no excuse to leave them at home. They will enjoy a trip to the mountains and getting to explore nature just as much as you. And a tired dog makes for a happy human, at least in my experience, so check out ohiopylevacationrentals.com for your perfect mountain getaway, and then hit the trails with your doggo this season!
5 Instagram Worthy Spots in Ohiopyle
Ohiopyle State Park is full of beauty. The thick forests, rushing river, and abundant wildlife provide a plethora of Instagram worthy spots. So for those looking for an iconic view, I am here to share Ohiopyle’s hidden, and not so hidden, gems.
Coming in at number five, is the Baughman Rock Overlook. While still one of the absolute most breathtaking vistas in all of Ohiopyle, and maybe even the Laurel Highlands, it comes in at number five due to its commonality. Not to mention it is a mere 75 yards from the gravel parking area, so you really don’t have to ‘earn it’ either. Despite those facts, this is still a must-see overlook and sunrise or sunset is a perfect time to get that unmatched Instagram photo.
Number four on the list is Cucumber Falls. While also a well-known tourist attraction, it is for good reason! This 30-ft waterfall is so graceful and photogenic you’d be remiss to pass up this Instagramable opportunity.
Number three is Ohiopyle Falls. While you can see these falls from almost everywhere in town, one specific view just can't be beat, and that is the view from Ferncliff Trail. Take a walk along this winding trail and you will come to stone “stairs” leading down to a rock that juts out over the river. This precarious viewpoint is an adventurer's dream. Sit on the edge and let your feet dangle as you feel the mist from the falls hit your face. This view of the falls is unlike any other, and a photo of you out on the ledge is the perfect photo op for the ‘gram.
Number two is the high bridge on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail. This unique photo opportunity allows you to encompass much of the beauty and adventure that is Ohiopyle. Take a bike ride on the trail and stop for a photo 115 feet above the river, trees, and maybe even a kayaker or two navigating Rail Road Rapid. If you want a photo that says “outdoor adventurer,” this is it.
Number one on the list is the Youghiogheny River Overlook. While somewhat similar to the Baughman Rock Overlook, I can assure you that far fewer people have this iconic view posted on their Instagram. The Youghiogheny River Overlook is located on The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, and can only be accessed by a 2 mile uphill hike on a somewhat precarious, at times, trail. GPS coordinates 39.85707, -70.46388 will get you to the magnificent overlook, and you will most definitely be rewarded when you arrive.
While there are countless other Instagram worthy spots in Ohiopyle, like Sugar Run Falls, McCune Trail’s overlook, the falls at Jonathan Run, and so many more, the five listed above are all great places to start. So get out, explore, and maybe even find a few hidden gems of your own!
Photos provided by Rusty Glessner with pabucketlist.com
Learn Why Whitewater Rafting in Ohiopyle Is So Unique…
It all begins with an idea.
Ohiopyle State Park lends access to the lower part of the Youghiogheny River, or Yough for short. This is where many kayakers and rafters “put-in,” or enter the river, to start their whitewater adventure. There are three parts of the 134 mile Youghiogheny River, an exhilarating “Upper” section with Class IV and Class V rapids, a mellow “Middle” section with Class I and Class II rapids, and a perfectly exciting option right in between, “The Lower,” with Class III and IV rapids.
The Lower section of the Yough is by far the most popular among first-timers and Ohiopyle visitors, and is the busiest section of whitewater east of the Mississippi! Adventurous rafters will enter the river just below the unmistakable Ohiopyle Falls, right in the center of town. From there, thrill seekers will take-out 7 miles down river at Bruner Run, or, and this is where The Lower Yough’s individuality shines, “the loop” take-out.
That’s right, not that The Lower Yough needed anything else to add to its popularity, but it flows an extremely rare course in which it nearly doubles back on itself, and that provides the unique natural feature allowing rafters to end extremely close to where they began. This is useful because if you choose to paddle this 1 mile loop, it is only a 5 minute walk back to town from the pu-in, whereas if you choose to continue the remaining 6.5 downstream, you will need a shuttle back to town.
We hoped this helped explain the popularity of whitewater rafting on the Lower Yough in Ohiopyle, but stay tuned to learn more about whitewater rafting in Ohiopyle as the season goes on!
Learn more at https://wwaraft.com/
Unexpected Wildlife You Might See in Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park is known for its whitewater rafting, hiking, and scenic overlooks, but did you know it also boasts some of the best wildlife in Western Pennsylvania?
Ohiopyle State Park is known for its whitewater rafting, hiking, and scenic overlooks, but did you know it also boasts some of the best wildlife in Western Pennsylvania? In fact, Ohiopyle State Park is designated both an important Mammal Area as well as Bird Area.
Many river guides will tell you about the otters and bald eagles they see on their daily trips down the Youghiogheny, and backpackers tell tales of the black bears, bobcats, and venomous snakes they spot on their hikes.
However, these sightings are not meant to discourage you from outdoor exploration! In fact, it is quite the opposite. Catching a glimpse of one of these animals in person, if you are lucky enough, can be a once in a lifetime opportunity! In fact, many individuals will never have the opportunity to spot these creatures outside of a zoo.
So, don’t let these sightings dissuade you from exploring Ohiopyle State Park. These animals are much more afraid of you than you are of them, and will not hurt you unless provoked. So, admire from a distance and respect their home and everyone can enjoy nature simultaneously.
If you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse and get a photo, be sure to tag us on social media and we will repost your animal sightings!
Ready to test your skills on white water rafting during your visit?
Activities for the Adventurous
Rushing water will sweep daring participants down the slide and shoot them out in a pool of calm river water.
Ohiopyle boasts many fabulous activities for every interest and skill level, but for the extra adventurous water lovers, there are three things you absolutely must do while visiting Ohiopyle.
The first is the water slides at Meadow Run. These natural waterslides carved out of the creekbed provide a wild, and bumpy, ride for thrill seekers. Rushing water will sweep daring participants down the slide and shoot them out in a pool of calm river water. Although fun, caution must be used at all times, as the rushing water can take you by surprise and the rockbed can be unforgiving. A bruised bottom and ankle scrape could be a souvenir you may or may not have bargained for.
Meadow Run Creek Natural Water Slides
The second activity is of course whitewater rafting. For beginners looking for a thrill, the Lower Youghiogheny river is the perfect place to start. With nearly 15 notable rapids, you will be in for a thrill, paddling through some class III and IV whitewater. And when you feel you have mastered the Lower Yough, there is always the wild Upper Yough, for the extreme adventure seekers.
Lower Yough Guide Assisted Rafting Group
Finally, if you aren’t up for a day trip down the river, this next adventure may be a bit hard to reach without a long swim across the river, but it is my personal favorite. Jump rock. Just above “rock garden” one of the many rapids on the lower part of the Youghiogheny River, is a rock that juts out over a deep enough part of the river that it is safe to take the leap off the edge and plunge into the water below. It is quite a thrill stepping off the ledge, but most definitely rewarding.
Jump Rock at Ohiopyle
Dare to try any of these adventurous activities? Take a trip to Ohiopyle this summer and see what kind of fun and adventure you can find out in nature!
Ready to go rafting or biking? Check it out here!