Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Information Page

The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a 70-mile, continuous footpath stretching atop the Laurel Ridge.  It winds from Ohiopyle, PA to Rt. 56, between Seward and Johnstown, PA.  The trail affords some great views of the twisting Youghigheny River, from high above Ohiopyle State Park, to the beautiful Conemaugh Valley, near Johnstown, PA.  It is open year round.

The purpose of this page is to provide some basic information about the Trail.  This is not, however, an official web page and should not be exclusively relied upon.  Any questions should be directed toward the Laurel Ridge Park Office, who maintains the Trail.

For my Trail Journals, click here

This page last updated 7 Aug 2010.

 

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Park Contact Information

The Laurel Ridge State Park Office is located just off the Trail on Rt. 653.  Before an overnight stay, you must contact the Park Office to reserve a shelter or campsite.  No reservation is needed for a day hike.  However, dayhikers are requested to complete information cards that are available at the various Trail Heads (entry and exit points of the trail.)  These cards are to be deposited in the drop-off boxes, also at the Trail Head.

The Park Office mailing address and phone number is:

Laurel Hill State Park

1454 Laurel Hill Park Road
Somerset, PA 15501

814-445-7725

The Park Web site can be found by clicking here.

 

UPDATE: Shelter reservations along the trail can now be made from the PA State Park Web Site.

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Fees

Overnight fee for a PA resident is $3/person per night.  If your party consists of 5 people or more, than you will pay the maximum fee of $15/night.  If you are not a PA resident, the fee is $4/person per night, and a $20 maximum fee.

Park Rangers used to visit the shelters at night and collect fees.  This is rarely done now.  Most reservations are made over the Park's web site, where one can pay with a credit card.  Phone reservations can be made, with payment sent by check.

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Water

Potable water is available at each shelter area.  The water is drawn from a well by a hand pump.  The Park periodically tests the bacteria count.  If the bacteria count it too high, warning signs are posted at the pumps.  When this happens, the water can still be used, but it must be filtered, treated or boiled before consumption.  Even if the bacteria count is in the acceptable range, the water is often cloudy, or iron-brown.  Therefore, I always filter it before use.

At Grindle Ridge and Turnpike shelter areas, the water is notoriously brown with iron.  Click here to find directions to a spring near the Turnpike shelters where better water can be drawn.

While hiking during wet seasons, you will find bodies of water and cross many streams.  Not being familiar with their sources, I would not recommend drinking from these supplies without a method of treatment.

UPDATE: As of 08 July 2010, there is NO WATER at the RT 56 Shelter (Decker Ave) area, RT 271 Shelter area, RT 30 Parking area, Shelter area, RT 31 Shelter AND parking area, and RT 653 Shelter area, and Ohiopyle (Bidwell) Shelter area.  When staying at RT 653, one can obtain water at the nearby Park office outside spigot.

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Shelter Information

Each Shelter area has five, open-face, lean-to structures, spread out in an area large enough to provide a reasonable degree of privacy.  Each shelter sleeps four adults comfortably.  However, I know of one who crammed as many as 10-12 inside (it was a youth group).

Each shelter has a fireplace that does a decent job of taking the chill out.  Although you can cook from the fireplace, I prefer a camp stove.  The chimneys don't exhaust well, and it's not unusual to have a smoke-filled sleeping area.  Firewood is provided by the State Park, but you have to carry it to your shelter.  (During winter months remember to check the privy - dry firewood is often stacked there.)

In addition to the lean-to's, about 30 tent spaces are available for more primitive camping at each shelter area.  Some tent sites have fire rings and grills for cooking.

Each shelter area has a men's and women's privy, adequately stocked with toilet paper.  The firewood is usually found close to the privy.  Garbage can be left in the refuse containers.

The following table gives an idea of the location of the shelters.  The mile markers begin with 0 at Ohiopyle, the southernmost point of the trail, and ends at 70 near Johnstown.

Mile Post

Shelter Name

Notes

0

Trail begins - no shelter

Ohiopyle is a busy town with restaurants, stores and pay phones.

6.3

Ohiopyle Shelters

Shelter #1 is closest to the firewood.  No water at Shelter!

18.5

Rt. 653 Shelters

NO WATER.  Water available at Park Office.

24.0

Grindle Ridge Shelters

Poor water quality.

32.5

Rt. 31 Shelters

Shelter #3 seems closest to the firewood.  NO WATER AT SHELTER OR PARKING LOT!

38.2

Turnpike Shelters

Shelter #1 seems closest to the firewood.  Poor water quality - check for the spring.

46.5

Rt. 30 Shelters

Shelter #1 is closet to the firewood.  Shelters 4 & 5 are the most secluded.  Water is brownNO WATER IN PARKING LOT. 

56.9

Rt. 271 Shelters

Shelter area located about one mile off Trail.  NO WATER AT SHELTER!

64.9

(Decker Ave) Rt. 56 Shelters

 NO WATER

70.0

Trail ends - no shelter or water

In Seward there are a few small gas stations and stores. Seward is approximately 1.5 miles from the mile 70 parking area. That is also the closest location for a pay phone.

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Parking

Parking is available at various points along the trail.  The following table provides an idea where they are located.  If you can provide any helpful information about these lots, I will post it in the "notes" column.

 

 

 

Mile Post

Location

Notes

0

Ohiopyle

 

18.8

Rt. 653

 

30.6

Rt. 31

 

45.8

Rt. 30

 

56.9

Rt. 271

Located about .5 mile off Trail.

70.0

Northern end of trail.

 

 

Shuttle Service

The most frequently-asked question I receive is: how can I get shuttled to the end of the trail?  Wilderness Voyageurs is an outfitter in Ohiopyle that is known to offer shuttle services.  I make no guarantees regarding their prices or ability to shuttle.  Please contact them for prices and shuttle availability: 1-800-272-4141.  Please mention that you were referred from this web site.

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Trail Detail

The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is well marked with 2" x 5" yellow blazes that appear about every  100'.  The trail is well-worn, and generally easily visible (when there is no snow).  Side trails are marked with blue blazes. 

Each mile is marked by a small, concrete pillar denoting the mileage.  This makes it very easy to figure out where you are in relationship to the next road or shelter.

Maps are available at the Park Office.  They show parking areas, mileages, and scenic viewpoints.

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Gear Checklist

Click here for a printable copy of a sample Backpacking Checklist.

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Nearby Accommodations (in alphabetical order)

Glades Pike Inn Bed and Breakfast - Somerset, PA

Lesley's Mountain View Country Inn - Donegal, PA

Log Haven Bed and Breakfast - Rockwood, PA

Quiet House Bed and Breakfast - Farmington, PA

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Downloadable Map

This link provides a downloadable .pdf copy of the LHHT.  The link is used with permission of the site owner, Mike Franusich.  Click here.

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Laurel Highlands Ultra Race

Every year a grueling foot race is held on the LHHT.  Rick Freeman, director of the race, maintains this site, which provides more information.

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Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Photos

Check this web site out for some spectacular photos of the LHHT!  Hats off to Richard Sabol and Tim Segina for these great shots.

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Trail Advisories

As of 07 August 2010, here is the water situation:

Location Water Conditions
Ohiopyle Shelters (Bidwell) No water
RT 653 Shelters No water at shelter.  Water is available at Laurel Ridge Park office nearby
Grindle Ridge Water is iron-rich but drinkable
RT 31 No water at shelter or parking area.
Turnpike Shelter Water quality is poor - check for nearby spring
RT 30 No water in parking lot - water still available at shelter
RT 271 Water at parking area only - not at shelter
RT 56 (Decker Ave) No water at shelter area.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, pets WILL be permitted in the overnight shelter areas on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail in Laurel Ridge State Park.

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Bridge Detour

In Dec 2009 the State Park removed the footbridge spanning the PA Turnpike.  Thru-hikers must take the 8.3 mile detour as outlined in this map.  On Wed., 28 Jul 2010, a public plan presentation was held regarding the LHHT Bridge. A representative from Gibson-Thomas Engineering Co presented a proposed design.  According to the Operations Manager at Laurel Hill State Park, the design is on schedule and the plan is moving forward.

 

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