Posted in Pittsburgh
August 31, 2020
Take This Unforgettable Road Trip To Experience Some Of Pittsburgh’s Most Impressive Caves And Waterfalls
Pittsburgh sits in a prime destination, especially for those of us who love road trips. If you like waterfalls and caves, you’ll definitely want to follow this road trip to some of the most impressive caves and waterfalls near Pittsburgh. Because the road trip spans just under 400 miles in around eight hours, you might want to break it up over two or three days, so you can enjoy each stop for as long as you’d like.
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We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
We start our road trip at Buttermilk Falls Natural Area in Beaver Falls. You'll have a short 10 to 15 minute scenic walk to the waterfall. Expect a few stairs and a shaded gravel path. Chances are you'll hear the 40-foot waterfall before you see it. One of the cool things about Buttermilk Falls is you can view it from the base of the waterfall, from above the waterfall, and from behind the waterfall. The pool into which the water falls is also popular with swimmers in the summer.
Our next stop takes us to Allegheny County's only official waterfall at Fall Run Park. Again, you'll have a bit of a walk, around a mile this time, to reach the cascading waterfall. Don't worry. The hike is so easy even the little ones will have a blast. Once you arrive at the waterfall, you can snap photos from the base then climb a set of stairs for an aerial view of the 30-foot cascade.
We're heading to Ohiopyle State Park next, which is home to several waterfalls. The first, Ohiopyle Falls, is really easy to reach. You can either view Ohiopyle Falls from one of the outdoor viewing areas, or you can head indoors to the Ohiopyle State Park Office, if it's open. There, you can view the cascading waterfall from a picture window.
Just a mile from Ohiopyle Falls, you'll find Cucumber Falls. Keep an eye out for the sign announcing that you've arrived at the waterfall. Pull into the small parking lot and a few steps away, you can get a glimpse of the 30-foot waterfall. For views from the base or from behind the waterfall, stroll down the stairs.
While we're close to Laurel Caverns at this point, the popular Pennsylvania cave is currently closed to visitors due to the pandemic. Instead, we'll head to Coral Caverns near Bedford. Make sure you're wearing (or bring) comfy shoes and a jacket as the temperature in caves usually hover around 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit all year around. Coral Caverns is known as the only fossilized coral reef cavern in the world. The 45-minute tour includes a lot of walking, including some climbing stairs.
After Coral Caverns, we'll make our way to Lincoln Caverns. Join the one-hour guided tour that will take you through the caverns and nearby Whispers Rock. Visitors are allowed to bring cameras and video cameras along, so you can capture some gorgeous footage. Once you've finished the tour, you might want to try out other attractions - gem mining or hiking on the trails near the cavern, for example.
Our final stop brings us to McConnells Mill State Park, home to Slippery Rock Gorge, a covered bridge, and a network of hiking trails. Follow Hell's Hollow Trail that will take you directly to Hell's Hollow Falls. The trail measures just over one-mile. However, if you want more of a challenge, opt for the longer, more challenging Slippery Rock Gorge Trail that will also take you to Hell's Hollow Falls.
Have you been to any of these caves and waterfalls near Pittsburgh? Which are your favorites? Let us know in the comments! If you’re prefer to just visit waterfalls, here are six easy-access waterfalls around Pittsburgh that are worth a visit.
Address: Route 18 & First Avenue & Homewood Borough, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, USA
Address: 187 Fall Run Rd, Glenshaw, PA 15116, USA
Address: Ohiopyle Falls, Ohiopyle, PA 15470, USA
Address: Cucumber Falls, Stewart Township, PA 15431, USA
Address: Coral Caverns Private Driveway, Manns Choice, PA 15550, USA
Address: 7703 William Penn Hwy, Huntingdon, PA 16652, USA
Address: Hells Hollow Falls, Slippery Rock Township, PA 16117, USA
