State(s): Maryland
Link: https://www.nps.gov/mono/index.htm
During a recent family visit, we turned the drive into an adventure of its own — weaving in a remarkable string of historic and natural stops along the way. From the storied grounds of Fort Monroe National Monument and the rich colonial history of Colonial National Historical Park, to the Civil War echoes of Richmond National Battlefield Park and Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, each stop offered a deeper look into the stories that shaped our nation. We also carved out time for the serene trails of Prince William Forest Park, the hallowed fields of Monocacy National Battlefield, the breathtaking scenery of Ohiopyle State Park, and the historic grounds of Fort Necessity National Battlefield — rounding out the journey with a truly unique visit to First Ladies National Historic Site. It was the kind of road trip that reminds you just how much history and beauty there is to discover, even on the way home.
Info
Ohiopyle State Park is a stunning natural area located in Fayette County, southwestern Pennsylvania, centered around the Youghiogheny River Gorge. The park is renowned for its dramatic waterfalls, white-water rapids, and miles of hiking and biking trails through rugged Laurel Highlands terrain. It’s a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like rafting, kayaking, rock scrambling, and exploring unique natural water slides carved into the bedrock.
What We Did
Our visit to Ohiopyle State Park was nothing short of spectacular. We started at the visitor center to take in the iconic Ohiopyle Falls. From there we followed the the yellow footprints to explore Meadow Run Slides. Be sure to walk around the bend in the path to get the full effect of the rushing water up close, an absolutely incredible feature where the creek has carved smooth channels into the rock, making for a one-of-a-kind experience.
We then headed out on the Cucumber Falls Trail, a fun and adventurous hike that rewards you with a gorgeous waterfall at the end — just be prepared for some rock scrambling, and take your time on the wet rocks and muddy sections, as they can be quite slippery. It’s an out-and-back trail, so simply turn around and retrace your steps once you reach the falls. We’re already looking forward to returning to visit Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s legendary nearby masterpiece, and tackling more of the park’s many trails. Ohiopyle is truly a gem of Pennsylvania and well worth the trip.
