Laurel Ridge State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- pa.gov(724) 455-3744
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Water quality The unnamed tributary between mile-marker 24 and 25 has been contaminated by lead and other heavy metals. Please do not use this as a drinking water source.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 14,980 acres, Laurel Ridge State Park lies in Somerset County, about 7 miles northwest of Johnstown.
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, winter sports, hunting in season, and picnicking. Its trail network totals roughly 70 miles, according to the park. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | sunrise – sunset | — |
Official wording
The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. Contact the Laurel Hill State Park office for facility seasons and hours.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (Aspira), Pennsylvania State Parks contract
- Phone
- 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacking Season: The trail is open year round and is blazed approximately every 100 feet with two-inch by five-inch yellow blazes. The 70-mile long Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a backpacking trail that permits overnight trips to one or more shelter areas.
The trail is open year round and is blazed approximately every 100 feet with two-inch by five-inch yellow blazes. Connector trails lead to and from trailheads and shelter areas and are marked with blue blazes.
Mileage monuments are every mile. Yellow bands around trees mark the trail at every major road crossing. | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Backpacking
The 70-mile long Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a backpacking trail that permits overnight trips to one or more shelter areas.
The trail is open year round and is blazed approximately every 100 feet with two-inch by five-inch yellow blazes. Connector trails lead to and from trailheads and shelter areas and are marked with blue blazes.
Mileage monuments are every mile. Yellow bands around trees mark the trail at every major road crossing.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
PicnickingHikingWinter sportsCross-country skiingSnowmobilingHuntingCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail | 70 mi | Most difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking Trailhead amenities: none This major 70-mile hiking and backpacking trail from Ohiopyle State Park to near Johnstown is the main feature of the park. The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a major segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, a network of trails between the mouth of the Potomac River and the Allegheny Highlands. The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail traverses state parks, state forests, state game lands, other public lands, and private lands. Connector trails lead to and from parking and shelter areas and are marked with blue blazeHikingBackpacking |
Trail descriptions from the park
70 miles of trails
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Map
Trailheads
Six trailheads provide parking for 30 cars each, as well as trash receptacles. Voluntary day use registration mailboxes are at each of the trailheads.
Day hikers should fill out information cards for vital park attendance data and for use in an emergency.
Trail Running
The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is popular with trail runners due to the diverse terrain and unmatched beauty. Visitors run portions of the trail for a workout, or run the whole trail in one day.
Some of the most challenging trail runs in the eastern United States are the Laurel Highlands Ultra races, which are held the second Saturday in June.
Hiking Tips and Regulations
Every hiker’s pace varies, but a suggested pace of 1.5 miles per hour is average.
- In general, Laurel Ridge is cooler and receives more precipitation than the surrounding valleys. Dress appropriately.
- Know the climate and weather conditions on the trail.
- Dress appropriately and layer clothing. Bring extra clothing, rain gear, water, insect repellent, sunglasses, sunscreen, and poison ivy block.
- Supervise children in your care. This is particularly important when hiking.
- Leave a copy of your plans with friends or relatives. Include contact phone numbers and other important information. Day hikers are encouraged to register at the trailhead kiosks for safety reasons.
- Wear fluorescent orange during hunting seasons when hiking in hunting areas.
- Familiarize yourself with the natural hazards of the trail.
- Bring emergency equipment like a first aid kit, whistle, compass, matches, and a blanket. Please be aware that you may be hours away from medical attention.
- Don’t forget the camera.
- Water -- Non-potable is available at most trailheads and shelter areas. Be prepared to treat or filter water.
- Please stay on the trail for your safety and to protect the resource.
- Horses, bicycles, and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the hiking trail and in the shelter area.
- Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
- All garbage must be placed in provided refuse containers. Refuse containers shall not be removed from designated “pick-up” stations. Burying garbage is prohibited.
- Please no frivolous 911 calls. Responding emergency personnel and equipment may be at your expense.
Shuttling Services
Shuttling services for hikers on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail are available from Wilderness Voyageurs in Ohiopyle.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Drinking water: not available (stated by the park)
Camping
- Tent camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 1117 Jim Mountain Road
Rockwood, PA 15557 - Nearest town
- Johnstown — about 7 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 40.4086, -79.0056
- Phone
- (724) 455-3744
- laurelridgesp@pa.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Laurel Ridge State Park is in Cambria, Fayette, Westmoreland, and Somerset counties, Pennsylvania. Northern Terminus GPS Decimal Degrees: Lat. 40.40858 Long. -79.00557 Southern Terminus GPS Decimal Degrees: Lat. 39.87117 Long. -79.49006
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Pennsylvania State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Nov 18, 2025
- DCNR Find a Park: content-fragment JSON feed used by the pa.gov park finder
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology