Photo by Jason Pischke on Unsplash
Located in Western Pennsylvania alongside the National Road, Ohiopyle State Park is one of the jewels of the Keystone State. The 20,000-acre park offers up spectacular gorges, waterfalls, and plenty of recreation opportunities, including whitewater rafting, rock climbing, hiking, and biking. A few minutes’ drive outside the park gives you access to caverns, wineries, historic battlefields, and even iconic Frank Lloyd Wright homes. It’s perfect for a long weekend or, even better, a long week.
You can get to Ohiopyle in three to four hours from major cities such as Columbus, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., but the most obvious jumping-off point would be Pittsburgh, only an hour and a half away. If you fly into Pittsburgh, give yourself an extra day and check out the Steel City’s many highlights, including the Andy Warhol Museum, Fort Duquesne, and the Grandview Overlook.
If you’re the camping type, you’re in luck, as Ohiopyle offers more than 200 campsites. If roughing it isn’t your speed, no worries—there’s plenty of cabins and rentals available in the area. Another option would be to stay at the Historic Summit Inn, opened to the public in 1907. Even if you don’t stay at the inn, make sure to stop by for a meal on its grand porch. On a clear day, you’ll see all the way to Pittsburgh.