Laurel Ridge State Park
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| Laurel Ridge State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| Location: | Cambria, Fayette, Westmoreland, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Somerset, Pennsylvania |
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| Area: | 13,625 acres (55.14 km²) |
| Established: | July 10, 1967 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Laurel Ridge State Park is a Pennsylvania State Park on 13,625 acres (55.14 km²) that passes through Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is home to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail a 70 mile (112km) hiking trail that runs through the park from the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle to the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown. The park was approved by the governor on July 10, 1967, and construction started on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail on July 7, 1970.
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[edit] Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is 70 miles (113 km) long, begins at Ohiopyle State Park and ends at Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown. The trail goes through state forests, state parks and some privately owned lands. Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is open year round. The trail is marked with yellow blazes. Connector trails are marked with blue blazes. These trails connect the main trail with parking and shelter areas. The trail is marked with large wooden signs at every major highway crossing. Six parking lots at the highway crossings provide starting points and have access to drinking water. Hikers on Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail are encouraged to fill out a hiking plan with volunteers that are posted at the information booths at each parking facility.
[edit] Shelter areas
There are eight overnight shelter areas on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. These shelter areas are located about every 6 miles (10 km) to 10 miles (16 km) along the trail. The shelter areas each have five Adirondack style shelters. There are two outhouses at the rest stops and a water supply. There is room for up to 30 tents at each stop. Hikers using the shelters are required to make reservations for use of the shelters with the park staff before setting out on their hike. A fee is charged to users of the shelters.
[edit] Other recreation
The park is also open to hunting, cross-country skiing and snow mobiling.
Hunting is permitted on almost all of Laurel Ridge State Park. The most common game species are ruffed grouse, turkey and white tailed deer. The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania State Game Commission.
There are 35 miles (56 km) of trails open to cross-country skiing during the winter months at Laurel Ridge State Park and over 70 miles (113 km) of trails open to snow mobiles.
[edit] Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Laurel Ridge State Park:
- Blue Knob State Park (Bedford County)
- Keystone State Park (Westmoreland County)
- Kooser State Park (Somerset County)
- Laurel Hill State Park (Somerset County)
- Laurel Mountain State Park (Westmoreland County)
- Laurel Summit State Park (Westmoreland County)
- Linn Run State Park (Westmoreland County)
- Ohiopyle State Park (Fayette County)
- Yellow Creek State Park (Indiana County)
[edit] References
- Map Reference for Laurel Ridge State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
- Laurel Ridge State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
- USGS Vintondale (PA) Topo Map. TopoZone. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
