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.
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. Here's the official website of Buttermilk Falls Natural Area.
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. Learn more on the official website of Fall Run Park.
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 Visitor Center, if it's open. There, you can view the cascading waterfall from a picture window. Visit the official website of Ohiopyle State Park for more information.
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.
We'll next 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. Plan your visit on the official website of Lincoln Caverns.
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. Get all of the details on the official website of McConnells Mill State Park.
If you’re looking for “waterfalls near me,” you’ve just hit paydirt! 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: Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, Route 18 & First Avenue & Homewood Borough, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, USA
Address: Fall Run Park, 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
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me
April 04, 2022
Beth Price-Williams
Are there any caves near Pittsburgh?
Did you know that Pittsburgh’s within easy driving distance of the largest cave in Pennsylvania? Laurel Caverns in Hopwood, about 60 miles from downtown Pittsburgh, is a popular destination during the warmer months. (It’s closed during the winter.) Just about every Pittsburgh-area student went to the caverns during their schooldays, and it’s worth a visit in adulthood, too. Also the area’s deepest cave, Laurel Caverns offers guided tours. Traditional tours require quite a bit of walking and climbing of stairs. However, if you can’t do stairs or don’t have a lot of time, opt for the shorter 30-minute tour that offers a glimpse at the sandstone caverns. Definitely plan to spend at least half of the day at Laurel Caverns, especially if you want to sign up for a spelunking or caving session. The caverns also have a 10,000-square foot mini golf course, offering the perfect way to cap off a fun day trip near Pittsburgh.
What are some of the best waterfalls near Pittsburgh?
Did you know that there’s only one named waterfall in all of Allegheny County? It’s Fall Run Falls in Glenshaw, and you can reach it via an easy one-mile trail at the park of the same name. You can find smaller, unnamed waterfalls near Pittsburgh. However, if you want to visit some of the most majestic waterfalls near Pittsburgh, you’ll have to travel quite a bit further past the city limits. Beavers Falls is home to Buttermilk Falls (there’s also a Buttermilk Falls in New Florence) and a gorgeous cascade at Sahli Nature Park, both worth the hour and change drive to reach them from downtown Pittsburgh. Sneak a peek at three gorgeous waterfalls if you go to Ohiopyle State Park, a little over an hour from downtown Pittsburgh. It’s home to Cucumber Falls, Ohiopyle Falls, and Jonathan Run Falls, the latter of which sits along a picturesque 3.5-mile trail. Both Cucumber Falls and Ohiopyle Falls are just a short walk from the parking lot.
Address: Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, Route 18 & First Avenue & Homewood Borough, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, USA
Address: Fall Run Park, 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
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