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State Park Overview |
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This major 70-mile hiking and backpacking trail from Ohiopyle 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" and 5" yellow blazes. Side trails are marked with blue blazes. Mileage monuments are every mile.
Large wooden signs mark trail access points at every major highway crossing. Six 30-car parking areas provide starting points. In addition, voluntary day use registration booths are located at 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 the event of an emergency. For overnight use of the trail see Special Regulation 15. Overnight reservations are mandatory. A fee is required for overnight camping.
There are eight overnight shelter areas along the trail. Each area contains 5 adirondack-type shelters with fireplaces, 2 non-flush toilets, a water supply and spaces for 30 tents. |
Camping |
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Camping modern sites, some with electricity
The camping area consists of 264 tent or trailer sites (149 with electric) with flush toilets, hot water showers, sanitary dumping stations and drinking water.
One walled tent is available for rent. The tent sleeps six people and has a refrigerator, bunk beds with mattresses and electricity. Campers must bring bedding, camping stove, and cooking and eating utensils.
The campground is open from the second Friday in April until mid-October. Site occupancy is limited to one family unit (persons living under one household) or one non-family unit limited to five persons, including one responsible individual 18 years of age or older. The maximum camping period is 14 consecutive nights.
Organized Group Tenting
Qualified, organized adult and youth groups may use the 125-person capacity area. This area is open year-round and has limited facilities with vault toilets, drinking water, fire rings and picnic tables. Area regulations require that 1) A roster be submitted, 2) Fires are built only in designated locations, 3) Standing timber must not be cut, and 4) Trailers are not permitted in this area. |
Trails |
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Snowmobiling The ten-mile trail system in the park connects with an over 60-mile trail system in Forbes State Forest. The trail system is open daily for registered snowmobiles after the end of deer season in late December. Trail maps are available at the park office.
Cross-country Skiing There is a 20-mile cross-country ski touring concession adjacent to the PA 653 parking area of nearby Laurel Ridge State Park. Fee required on this trail. |
Picnicking |
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Boating |
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Boating electric motors only
The 63-acre Laurel Hill Lake has 30 mooring sites and two boat launch areas. A boat rental at the beach has paddleboats, canoes and rowboats.
Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following boat registration from any state launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. |
Swimming |
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A 1,200-foot sandy beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming when lifeguards are off-duty. Maximum depth is five feet.
A snack bar is a short distance from the beach. |
Fishing and Hunting |
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Fishing
The 63-acre Laurel Hill Lake has bass, trout, catfish, sucker, bluegill, perch, crappie and sunfish. Laurel Hill Creek and Jones Mill Run are excellent trout streams. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. A fishing license, not available at the park office, is required for people ages 16 and older.
Ice Fishing The 63-acre Laurel Hill Lake is open to ice fishing. Common species are bass, trout and perch.
Hunting and Firearms
About 2,100 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are rabbit, squirrel, grouse, turkey, deer, ring-necked pheasant and raccoon. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.
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.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment 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 must be kept in the owner&%39s car, trailer or camp. |
History of the Area |
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The Laurel Hill Valley escaped the unbridled logging that swept through Pennsylvania?for longer than many areas of the state. The steep stream valleys and rugged hills made logging difficult until technology laid the tracks to enable the trees to be hauled to mills. Powerful, slow locomotives climbed the switchbacked tracks through Laurel Hill and hauled the logs to mills. From 1886 to 1940, logging companies clearcut the trees of the park, leaving behind a wasteland of brambles prone to forest fires and flooding. Only the area now called Hemlock Natural Area escaped the loggers? reach.
Beginning in 1935, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration began purchasing submarginal agricultural and forest land so that it could be converted to better use. In 1936, the National Park Service was given the responsibility of the Recreational Demonstration Areas. Laurel Hill was one of five areas in Pennsylvania and targeted for restoration and reforestation, and organized group camping and day picnicking.
Beginning in 1935, with cooperation of the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, men of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began building roads, trails, bridges and recreational facilities.
Two CCC camps, SP-8 and SP-15 arrived in July 1, 1935 and began building camps for themselves (currently Group Camp 8 and Group Camp 5). The 200 young men in each camp worked year-round building park facilities like group camps, picnic areas, waterlines, roads, the beach house and Laurel Hill Lake. World War II ended the CCC.
In October of 1945, the Department of the Interior transferred the project to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and it became Laurel Hill State Park.
The Laurel Hill Recreational Demonstration Area Historic District includes all CCC-constructed buildings and structures that retain a significant degree of integrity. The district contains 202 buildings on 1,352 acres of land, which is the largest collection of CCC architecture in Pennsylvania State Parks. |
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Area Accommodations |
| Cottages and Cabins | |  |
Bedford, PA
We invite you to be our guests for a relaxing stay where the atmosphere is homey, romantic, and welcoming. We hope you will feel at home at The Country Willow House! Situated on a peaceful and secluded property just minutes from historic downtown Bedford, Pennsylvania.
Web Site
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More Info | |
This is an official Web site of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. Begin your adventure here.Laurel Mountain State Park is comprised of 493 acres in Westmoreland County. To reach the... | |
Panoramic Fall Tour of Somerset County. Accommodations. Adventure Sports. Attractions. Calendar of Events. Campgrounds. Chamber Members List. Chamber Yellow Pages. Fairs & Festivals. Historical... |
Nature Programs |
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The park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation and understanding of the park?s natural and cultural resources.
Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Programs are offered year-round. Contact the park office for a schedule of programs.
A self-guiding trail is along Hemlock Trail. A visitor center is in the beige farmhouse at the entrance to the campground. |
Area Campgrounds | | Pine Oaks Camp Ground
124 Summer Camp Rd
Friedens, PA
(814) 445-4093
| Woodland Campsites Inc
291 Gilmour Rd
Somerset, PA
(814) 445-8860
| Pioneer Park Campground
273 Trent Rd
Somerset, PA
(814) 445-6348
| Donegal Campground
106 Yeckel Dr
Donegal, PA
(724) 593-7717
| Laurel Highlands Camplands Inc
1045 Clubhouse Dr
Donegal, PA
(724) 593-6325
| Mountain Pines Resort
1562 Indian Creek Valley Rd
Champion, PA
(724) 455-3300
| Rivers Edge Family Campground
1101 Riveredge Rd
Connellsville, PA
(724) 628-4880
| Hideaway Campground
166 Indian Creek Valley Rd
Normalville, PA
(724) 455-7700
| Mill Run Campground
839 Mill Run Rd
Mill Run, PA
(724) 455-2929
| Yogi Bear's Jellystone Camp
839 Mill Run Rd
Mill Run, PA
(724) 455-9644
| Posey Corner Campground
132 Middlecreek Rd
Rockwood, PA
(814) 926-2040
| Lost Mountain Campground
195 Lost Mountain LN
Rockwood, PA
(814) 352-7310
| Scottyland Camping Resort Ctr
1618 Barron Church Rd
Rockwood, PA
(814) 926-3149
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Area Fishing Related Businesses | | B & G Bait & Sport Shop
118 Indian Creek Valley Rd
Normalville, PA
(724) 455-7282
| Red's Bait Shop
Route 31
Acme, PA
(724) 423-4902
| Laurel Hill Trout Fishing Pond
4360 Route 31
Somerset, PA
(724) 593-7101
| Nicklow's Wholesale Live Bait
7315 National Pike
Addison, PA
(814) 395-3931
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Area Resorts and Lodging | | Seven Springs Mountain Resort
777 Water Wheel Dr
Champion, PA
(814) 352-7782
| Laurel Highlands Lodge
212 Snyder Rd
Donegal, PA
(724) 593-7223
| Roaring Run Resort PS
RR 1 Box 531
Champion, PA
(724) 593-8847
| Laurel Hill Trout Lodge
4360 Route 31
Somerset, PA
(724) 593-7101
| Barron's at the Springs
843 Blue Hole Rd
Champion, PA
(814) 352-7884
| Roaring Run Resort
194 Tannery Rd
Champion, PA
(724) 593-7837
| Kettler Forlines Resort Homes
9068 Woodridge
Champion, PA
(814) 352-7771
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