State Parks and Forests

Parks on Laurel Ridge:

Kooser State Park -- 250 acres park includes a 4-acre lake for fishing and a beach for swimming, nine rustic cabins, a campground and several short trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.

Laurel Hill State Park -- 3,935 acres of mountain terrain with a 63-acres lake and boat rentals, campground and lodge for group overnight rentals.

Laurel Mountain State Park -- family-oriented downhill skiing area at nearly 3,000 feet of elevation expected to re-open in 2011

Laurel Ridge State Park -- 70-mile semi-wilderness hiking trail from near Johnstown to Ohiopyle encompassing 13,625 acres with eight overnight shelter areas.

Laurel Summit State Park -- 6 acres for picnicking at 2,739 feet above sea level with trailhead parking for Spruce Flats bog and Wolf Rocks Trail.

Linn Run State Park -- 612 acres above Ligonier with a waterfall/water slide and cabin rentals.

Ohiopyle State Park -- 20,500 acres including 14 miles of the Youghiogheny River and Great Allegheny Passage trail passing through the state's deepest gorge.

Other State Parks in and near the Laurel Highlands

Blue Knob State Park -- 6,128 acres atop Allegheny Ridge northeast of Johnstown with scenic views around Pennsylvania's second highest mountain and a swimming pool.

Keystone State Park -- 1,200 acres near Blairsville with a lake, swimming and modern cabins.

Prince Gallitzin State Park -- 7,335 acres north of Johnstown with 1,635-acre Glendale Lake offering 26 miles of shoreline.

Shawnee State Park -- 3,983 acres with a 451-acre lake just west of Bedford.

Yellow Creek State Park -- 2,981 acre park near Indiana along the Kittanning Path, with 720-acre lake for boating, swimming and fishing.

State Forests

Forbes State Forest -- over 50,000 acres in three counties with 10 hiking trails and three natural areas, including Spruce Flats Bog and the state's highest point at Mount Davis. 

Gallitzin State Forest -- 15,336 acres, including Clark Run Trail in Conemaugh Gap and the 26-mile Lost Turkey Trail.

Trails

Great Allegheny Passage -- 135-mile rail trail from near Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD, where it connects to the C&O Canal Towpath to Washington, DC.

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail -- includes the Great Allegheny Passage and Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (see Laurel Ridge State Park above).

Ghost Town and Hoodlebug Trails -- 46 miles of trail in Indiana and Cambria counties.

James Mayer Riverswalk Trail -- short trail in Johnstown that will be extended in 2010.

West Penn Trail -- 17 mile trail from Saltsburg to near Blairsville, where planning is under way to connect to the Ghost Town and Hoodlebug Trails.