Directions to Trails and Parks in and Around Westmoreland County
(The Book: Natural Areas in and Around Westmoreland County has a listing of approximately 119 areas with a complete description with photos and maps)
Acme Reservoir (Chestnut Ridge County Park)
From Mt. Pleasant, PA, follow Route 31 east to Acme. Immediately past the Acme Community Center, turn right onto Acme Dam Road. Drive about one mile to the park entrance on your left
There are four parking lots on the west side of the lake with a porta-john at the first and last lot (each end of the walking trail.)
Trails/Length/Difficulty other comments.
Adams Falls Trail
From Ligonier, PA, follow route 30 east two miles and turn right onto Route 381. Drive another 2 miles into Rector and turn left onto Linn Run Road. Follow Linn Run Road uphill past the Valley School of Ligonier and turn left past the park sign into the park.
A large parking lot exists right at the park entrance. The trail entrance is across the bridge and 30 yards up the hill on your right.
Allegheny Front – Hawk Watch
581 Lambert Mountain Road, Central City, PA
https://www.alleghenyplateauaudubon.org/s/Directions-to-the-Allegheny-Front-Hawk-Watch.pdf Directions at bottom of page
Limited Parking inside gate.
View is spectacular. Migrating Hawks can fly in front of you.
Check the website for date and time the Hawk watch is open.
https://www.alleghenyplateauaudubon.org/allegheny-front-hawk-watch
Barking Slopes Biological Diversity
Take Route 66 north from Greensburg to Route 366 and turn left. Follow Rt. 366 to the edge of New Kensington. Turn left onto Logans Ferry Road and follow it a short distance to a V-intersection where Rte. 909 (Cox Comb Hill Rd) and Barking Road splits.
Barking Road goes to the right and leads to a trailhead that follows the base of the ridge.
Rte 909 will take you to an Allegheny Land Trust parking lot (ALT) and trailhead on your right. If you reach the Oakmont golf course, you have gone too far. The two trails do not connect.
Next to the Oakmont East Golf Course along the Allegheny RiverTrails and view of Cheswick.
Beam Rocks Trail
From Ligonier, follow Route 30 for two miles and turn left onto Route 381. Follow 381 for two miles into Rector and turn left onto Linn Run Road. Follow Linn Run Road to the top of the mountain and turn left onto Summit Road. Note your odometer. At 1.2 miles you will pass the Pitt Astronomical Observatory on your right. The Beams Rocks Trail parking lot is another .2 miles on the right
It is spread out with parking areas between trees.
Bear Run Nature Reserve
From the Pennsylvania Turnpike Exit in Donegal, head south on Route 381. About three miles south of Mill Run coming down a curved hill, turn left into the Bear Run Reserve parking lot.
Bear Run Reserve parking lot.
20 miles of Trails
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve (Audubon Society of Western PA)
614 Dorseyville Rd, Fox Chapel Borough, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh 15238
Take Route 28 to Route 8 North/Butler. At the first traffic light, turn right onto Kittanning Road. Continue up Kittanning Road for 4.5 miles - it will become Dorseyville Road without any notification. Beechwood will be on your right.
Parking lot at site
5 miles of trails, ASWP Store
Blacklick Valley Natural Area
Drive east on Route 22 from New Alexandria for 24 miles past the intersection of Route 403. Once beyond 403, in about a mile, look for a left turn lane for McFeaters Road. Turn left on McFeaters Road.
Drive straight to the parking lot on the end, about 1.25 miles on McFeater Roda.
Wetlands, riparian, deciduous and coniferous forests, meadows
Blair Brothers Railroad Grade – Jones Mills to Hunter Lane
From the PA Turnpike Exit in Donegal, drive east on Route 31 into Jones Mills (about 3 miles). Turn left in Jones Mills onto Route 381. The first parking lot is about 100 yards on the left marking the southern terminus of the railroad trail. Continue another mile on Route 381 to Hunter Lane. Turn left, go down the hill to the bottom and find several small parking lots on your left. The trail begins on the other side of the bridge on the left side of Hunter Lane.
On Hunter Lane (see directions)
This is a level easy walking trail paralleling Route 381 and Indian Creek that is both bird and botanically rich. It follows the former railroad grade through wetlands.
Boyce Park
On Route 22, about 1.5 miles east of the 22/76 TO interchange, turn north onto Route 286 (Golden Mile Highway) and drive for 1.3 miles to Old Frankstown Road. Turn left onto Frankstown Road and drive into the park in
1.3 miles, or veer right onto Pierson Run Road from Old Frankstown and drive in to the central
part of the park. Parking is ready available
Developed Park with many walking trails, flowers
Braddock Trail Park
North Huntingdon Township about a mile from the Youghiogheny River.
Directions: From the Greensburg Walmart, travel west of Route 30 about 7.5 miles to the signal at Hamilton Buick on top of Jacktown Hill. Turn left at the light onto Robbins Station Road. Go up the hill, keeping left past the Circleville U.M. Church. At the first “Y” bear left. Proceed to the “T”, turn right and continue on a winding road keeping to the left at the next “Y” and proceed to the dirt parking lot at the end of the road, about 2.5 miles from Hamilton Buick.
Dirt Parking Lot at the end of the road.
The majority of the park is a mature forest with magnificent stands of American beech and some great specimens of white oaks. There is a small run with a thirty-foot waterfall that can be spectacular after a good rain. This waterfall is located just down the hill from the parking lot.
The Park is fantastic for spring wildflowers.
Bridgeport Dam County Park
Bridgeport, Westmoreland County, outside of Mt. Pleasant
From North (New Stanton) and South (Connellsville): Follow Route 119 to Route 31 East. Proceed through Mt Pleasant, cross the tracks and as you begin to climb the hill, turn right onto Bridgeport Street. Proceed for 1.3 miles to a four way stop sign. Turn left onto Water Street. The Park entrance is straight ahead on the right-hand side.
From the East (Ligonier) and West:
Take Route 31 toward Mt. Pleasant. As you approach the outskirts of Mt. Pleasant from the East coming down the hill, turn left onto Bridgeport Street (turn right from the West after proceeding through the town and crossing the tracks) and proceed 1.3 miles to a four way stop sign. Turn left onto Water Street. The Park entrance is straight ahead on the right-hand side.
Parking lots are available.
Bridgeport Dam is a multi-purpose flood control dam on Jacobs Creek, a continuation of the Mount Joy Wetlands and the Jacobs Creek Wetlands and Environmental Education Area, where Jacobs Creek and Brush Run converge. Trees, Wildflowers, grasses, Birds and waterfowl
Buffalo Creek Nature Park
154 Monroe Road, Sarver, PA. From Route 28, take PA-356 North for 0.9 miles. Turn right onto Monroe Road and follow for 0.8 miles. The road will wind around as you make your way down a hill. BCNP will be on your left at the bottom of the hill.
Parking at the Nature Center
Bushy Run Battlefield State Historic Park
Bushy Run Battlefield State Historic Park is located approximately five miles west of the Harrison City exit off of the PA 66 bypass and is situated along PA Route 993. It is also two miles east of the intersection of PA 993 and PA 130 in Harrison City.
Directions: From Greensburg, take Route 66 north to the 993 intersections. Turn left onto 993 and drive until you come to the park. From Delmont drive south from the Rt. 22/66 intersection on old 66 (not the toll road) to Rt. 993. Turn right and drive to the park.
Parking is available on both sides of Rt 993
1763 Pontiac War Battlefield; Mature mix hardwoods; Good birding, wildflowers and hiking trails.
Buttermilk Falls Natural Area
Heading east on Route 22 from Blairsville, turn right at Clyde onto Clay Pike Road. Follow Clay Pike two miles to Valley Brook Road on your left. Valley Brook Road dead ends at the park. From Ligonier, follow 711 north to New Florence. Continue straight ahead through the main drag in New Florence under the railroad and across the Conemaugh River. Go one half mile after crossing the river and turn right onto Clay Pike Road. Follow Clay Pike Road about three miles to Valley Brook Road and turn right. Valley Brook Road dead-ends at the parking lot
Valley Brook Road dead-ends at the parking lot
Creekside Trail
From Rt. 30 at the Latrobe airport take Rt. 981 north into Latrobe to Jefferson St. (2 miles). After crossing the bridge over the Loyalhanna Creek, get into the right lane and turn right at the first light onto Jefferson Street. Go to the second stop sign and turn right onto Chestnut Street. Bear right onto Memorial Drive, see the map (1), drive past the stadium (2) and turn right at the first stop sign. This takes you into Legion Keener Park (52 acres). You’ll see two picnic pavilions as you drive in. Park in the lot in front of them and walk westward past the pavilions through a grove of big trees toward the far corner of the park where you’ll see a double telephone pole (3) marking the railroad trestle. Walk to it up the bank, cross the track and you’ll see the trailhead to your left
Park in the lot in front of the two Pavilions (see directions)
Camp Run Trail
Between Ligonier and Jones Mills on Rt. 381 about 1.8 miles north of Jones Mills.
Directions: From the PA Turnpike, drive east on Route 31 three miles and turn left onto Route 381N. Drive 1.8 miles to a sharp bend in the road and a bridge. Turn right before crossing the bridge and bear left onto Auckerman Road. Drive up Auckerman Road (4-wheel drive recommended) .8 miles to a small loop parking lot which is the trailhead. If the road is muddy and in bad condition, there are a couple of small pull-offs before the steep climb begins.
At the last parking lot, you’ll see a gated road. Walk down that road, but keep to your left at the first intersection. The trail coming in from the right leads to private property. 3.3 miles of trails; Deciduous trees, wildflowers
Caywood Reserve
From Route 22 in Murrysville at the McDonald's light, turn north onto Vincent Hall Drive. Go straight through the next light onto Sardis Road. Follow Sardis Road several miles past Murrysville Council Building to Mamont Road and turn right. Follow Mamont Road to the Dominion Gas complex intersection with Hills Church Road. Turn right onto Hills Church Road and go about a half mile to Beulah Lane on your left
The parking lot is just past Beulah Lane on your left. It's gravel and very steep.
Don Harrison Community Trail. Caywood Red and Yellow loop trails. 125 species of birds have been recorded
Cedar Creek County Park
216 Municipal Drive, Belle Vernon, PA 15012
Cedar Creek County Park is located in southwestern Westmoreland County near the intersection of SR 51 and Interstate 70, approximately 27 miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Access to the park is from Concord Lane from S.R. 51 and is well marked.
GPS coordinates for the main park entrance at Evergreen Drive are: 40.166986, -79.769992.
Access to the Youghiogheny River Trail (Part of Great Allegheny Passage); Wildflowers, birds, hiking trails, Cedar Creek Gorge
Charles F. Lewis Natural Area
From New Alexandria, follow Route 22 east about 25 miles past Armaugh to the intersection with Route 403. Follow Route
403 south two miles through Cramer. Just past Cramer, look for the parking lot to your left. Or follow Route 30 to Ligonier. From Ligonier
follow Route 711 north to Cramer. Turn right in Cramer and look for the parking lot on your left just out of town. Continue through Cramer
The parking lot will be on your left about a mile out of town. The trail begins from the parking lot.
Best time to visit: Before or after leaf fall for views of Clark’s Run. May and early June for migrating warblers, wildflowers and reptiles.
Coal and Coke Trail (CTC)
The trail connects the communities of Mt. Pleasant and Scottdale in Westmoreland County.
Trailhead #1. Coming from the East: (Ligonier), take Route 711 S to Donegal. Make a right onto Route 31 South and follow to the outskirts of Mt Pleasant, where you will cross the RR tracks and make a left turn onto Cook's Way at Demo Depot. The trailhead is on your left.
Trailhead #2. Coming from the East (Ligonier), take Route 711 S to Rt 31S. Follow into Mt Pleasant, and make a left turn around the doughboy at the light. Follow to the next light and turn left onto Rt 819 S. At the second light, before K-Mart, turn left onto the Mt Pleasant Road. Follow .8 miles, past the Amcel Center, to the Allegheny Power electrical way station and turn left at the CTC trail signs just before the RR tracks. Parking is on your left
Trailhead #3. Coming from the East (Ligonier), take Route 711 S to Donegal and make a right onto Route 31S. Follow through Mt. Pleasant to the light at the doughboy. Make a left around the doughboy and follow to the next light. Turn left onto Rt. 819S and follow through all the lights in the shopping area, over the Rt. 119 overpass and turn left about .7 miles from the Rt 119 overpass bridge onto Overholt Drive across from the West Overton Museum. Follow .5 miles to the stop sign and turn left onto Mildred Street. Follow .3 miles to the CTC Trailhead sign on your right.
Trailhead #4. Follow directions as for
Trailhead #3. When you reach the stop sign on Overholt Drive, turn right instead of left onto Mt. Pleasant Road. Follow .8 miles to the CTC Trail sign on your left, just before a small cement bridge. The trailhead is at the end of the lane, on your left. There are 4 Trailheads with parking at eachThese diverse natural areas provide the opportunity to observe many types of birds and other wildlife, as well as examples of majestic trees and wildflowers in their natural state.
Conemaugh Dam & Bow Ridge
Take Rt. 22 from Pittsburgh to New Alexandria. From New Alec drive north on Route 981 for three (3) miles to a T. Turn left, drive 1.7 miles and turn right at Marshall’s Market onto Tunnelton Road. Follow Tunnel Road through Tunnelton under the railroad pass and turn right on Auren Road. Follow Auren Road to the Conemaugh Dam entrance.
Parking at the US Army Corp of Engineers at Dam Trails, History, Stone Arch Bridges, Bike Trail to Blairsville.
Derry Lake (Ethel Springs Lake)
Take route 217 from Route 30 into Derry. After crossing over the bridge in town, stay on
217 through the next right and then turn left onto N. Chestnut Street. As you approach the lake, look for the Ethel Springs Lake parking lot on your left between two houses
Ethel Springs Lake parking lot on your left between two houses
Rafts of ducks and geese and swans in the spring and fall
Donegal Lake
From the Pennsylvania turnpike exit in Donegal, turn left from the pay booth onto Route 31, drive about 300 yards and turn left (north) on Route 711. Drive about 2 miles on 711. In a half mile after descending a steep hill, look for the Fish Commission sign to Donegal Lake on your left and turn left onto Donegal Lake Road.
There are two parking areas on the right as you drive along Donegal Lake Road. There is a third parking area at the dam and on the opposite shore, accessed from the parking lot at the dam.
This lake is a magnet for migrating waterfowl. Butterfly and dragonflies are present in the fields and wetlands.
Duff Park
From the McDonald’s traffic light on Route 22 in Murrysville, travel East about 1.5 miles and then turn right at Sheetz at the intersection of Route 22 and School Road South. The main entrance is about 1000 feet on the right-hand side.
Parking at the main entrance
Duff Park is a very special place. It is one of only three remaining old growth deciduous forests in Pennsylvania and it has survived disturbance in the heart of a suburban community. Its largest trees are oaks with an estimated age 250 to 300 years. Spring flowers are everywhere.
Jacobs Creek Wetlands
East of Mount Pleasant
From Mt. Pleasant take Route 31 east. Look for Joyce Oil on the left side of the road and turn right onto White Bridge Road about 100 yards before Joyce Oil. Drive .6 miles on White Bridge Road and turn right onto Meadowbrook Road. The wetland’s parking lot is about 100 yards on your left.
From Donegal, Follow Route 31 to the light in Laurelville and turn left onto Route 982. Drive 1.4 miles and turn sharply right onto White Bridge Road. Drive .3 miles and turn left onto Meadowbrook Rd.
Parking lot is about 100 yards on your left onto Meadowbrook Rd
Keystone State Park
From Pittsburgh, follow Rt. 22 to
New Alexandria and turn right onto 981. There are three access roads to the park from Rt. 981 between New Alexandria and Latrobe, all well marked, the first beginning on the left about a quarter mile from the Rt.22/981 intersection.
There are parking lots strategically located around the park.
Good Birding, Trees, Plants, Fungi. Trails go across the 1200 acres. Access to Loyalhanna Creek on the far side of Rt. 981 at State Game Lands Parking
Laurel Hill State Park
On Laurel Hill in Somerset County south of Route 31
From the Donegal Turnpike Exit, travel east on Route 31 for 14 miles and turn right onto Trent Road. Go about two miles to the main park entrance on your right.
Parking is available in the park
This is one of the of the prettiest of the state parks. It is nearly all second growth forest except the Hemlock Natural Area and the meadows near the lake and group camping areas. There is a small stand of old growth virgin hemlock 200-300 yrs old. Flowers, fungi and birding
Linn Run State Park
From U.S. Route 30 between Ligonier and Laughlintown, turn south of Route 381 and drive 4 miles into the village of Rector. Turn left onto Linn Run Road and drive to the park. The sign for the Adams Falls picnic area will appear on your right, the parking lot on your left.
Large parking lot at Adams Falls and at the trail head of the Grove Run Picnic area. Darr and Brant Trails have small lots right off Linn Run Road
Originally logged in 1894 and now regrown mature forest, this golf club shaped park sits in a deep narrow gorge bisected by Linn Run Road. It is mostly wooded with Linn Run surging through its heart. Adams falls Trail, Flat Rock Trail, Grove Run Trail, and Darr-Brant are the highlights.
Mammoth County Park
From Route 30, take the Greensburg/Mount Pleasant exit toward Mount Pleasant. Continue past the University of Pittsburgh and the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds. Turn left in United. At the stop sign one mile past the Mammoth Park sign turn right onto Route 981 South. Turn left at the next Mammoth Park sign. Go two miles to the next stop sign, turn left and continue on into the park
Parking is available within the park
This is primarily a recreation park with extensive mowed fields with are excellent foraging habitats for birds. The 24-acre lake hosts waterfowl and waders as they migrate.
Morosini Nature Reserve
Location: Just north of Delmont
Follow Route 66 N to the second stop light in Delmont and turn left onto Old Route 22. Follow Old Route 22 and take the second right onto Ringertown Road. Follow Ringertown Road about a mile and turn left onto Morosini Farm Road. Once you drive under the railroad overpass (Westmoreland Heritage Bike Trail) the Morosini Reserve begins on your right.
Continue straight ahead past the curve and turn left into the parking lot.
Lots of biodiversity this reverted 183 acres of farmland has 128 plants identified in an early survey. There are open fields and forest. Plant and Insect identification is popular. The trails offer a tour though the various habitats.
Northmoreland Park
Northmoreland Park is in the extreme northeast corner of Westmoreland County in Allegheny Township near the towns of Vandergrift and Apollo. 280 Markle Road Apollo, PA 15613
Take Route 22 towards Delmont and turn onto Route 66 North. Continue on 66 North to the “Y” (intersection of 66 North and 356 North. Keep left onto Route 356 North. In 3 miles, turn left onto Park Road at the Northmoreland Park sign. Follow the signs to the park.
Parking is available within the park
The park covers 548 acres and is the largest of the county parks. Much of the park is developed for recreation. The 17 acre lake with a 1.1 mile walking trail and various other trails attract waterfowl. In the past few years a family of wood ducks have taken up residence. Wildflowers are found throughout the un-mowed fields. Basswood tree are scattered through the deciduous woods.
Ohiopyle State Park Natural Areas
From the PA Turnpike in Donegal, drive east on 31 two miles to Route 381south, then about 14 miles to Ohiopyle. Turn right into the parking lot just after crossing the railroad tracks and before crossing the bridge into town. Trails lead from the parking lot to the peninsula.
Parking is available at most trail heads.
Ohiopyle State Park has over 20,000 acres and is cut by the Youghiogheny River which is fed from many smaller streams. Waterfalls and rapids abound. Ferncliff Peninsula has walking trails with wildflowers, birding, fossils. The Park offers many miles of walking trails and is cut by the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail for biking and walking. The Great Gorge Trails is a must for spring wildflowers are great. Many trails offer wonderful views.
The Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve
Location: 13290-13106 Ardara Rd
Ardara, PA 15615 or GP: 40.36105, -79.74410
At the intersection of PA 48 and US 30, travel east on US 30 for ½ mile to make a left onto Leger Road (Sheetz on the right-hand corner). Turn left onto Leger Road and travel through the countryside for 2 miles. (Ignore the closed road signs as they are referring to the bridge over Brush Creek). Look for the Ackermann preserve sign on the left and park at the end of the grassy strip between two homes. Look for the Ackermann preserve sign on the left and park at the end of the grassy strip between two homes
The property is characterized by steep forested slopes and valleys along the west side of Brush
Creek. The forest canopy is dominated by mid-successional mixed hardwoods such as sugar maple, red maple, white ash, black and red oak and black cherry. The understory is largely spicebush and witch hazel with areas of good hardwood regeneration (maple). There are displays of spring ephemeral wildflowers.
Pleasant Valley Park
From the McDonald’s light in Murrysville, turn south onto Trafford Rd. Cross over the bridge and railroad tracks, then bear left onto Pleasant Valley Road. Continue this road for 1.2 miles and turn left into the parking lot.
Parking area at the park is limited.
With its open meadows, deep woods, creek bottoms, and shrubby edge habitat, the park regularly hosts a multitude of Warbler species as well as flycatchers, sparrows, woodpeckers, Scarlet Tanager, orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and hawks
Powdermill Nature Reserve
Route 381 three miles south of
Rector, PA
From Ligonier, PA at the intersection of Route 30 and Route 711 take route 711 south 3.3 miles to the Rector/Darlington intersection. Turn left toward Rector and go 1 mile. At the bottom of the hill, before going over the bridge, turn right on to Route 381 South. Follow Route 381 South for 3.3 miles to the Nature Reserve headquarters.
Parking is available at the Nature Center.
Powdermill Nature Reserve is best known for its internationally famous bird banding program that began in 1961. Hiking trails are available with Porcupine Ridge Trail providing a lookout at its terminus. Most of the reserve is secondary forest with openings at the bird banding meadows. There is a sizable pond with lots of dragonfly species in the banding area.
Saint Vincent Wetlands
St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA
From Route 30 at the Arnold Palmer Airport crossroads, turn north onto route 981 and follow it to the first red light. At the light turn left, go straight through the small traffic circle and keep bearing right past the gristmill to a small dirt lane on your right (easily missed in summer due to foliage), so slow down past the gristmill. Turn right, go down the lane into the parking lot. Wetlands # 3 is on the right and wetlands # 2 is on your left. The mine discharge water flows west to east, so the cleanest ponds are on your right.
Parking is available at the site.
Walking trails around marsh areas with excellent Birding in all seasons. 30 species of dragonflies have been identified. Wildflowers are diverse and a large variety of trees.
Spruce Flats Wildlife Bog
On top of Laurel Hill adjoining Laurel Summit State Park
From Route 30, two miles east of Ligonier, turn south onto Route 381 and drive two miles to Rector. In Rector turn left onto Linn Run Road and drive 7.7 miles to Laurel Summit State Park. Turn left as you approach the pavilion and drive into the parking lot. Find a trail on the right side of the parking lot that leads to the bog boardwalk.
Parking at the State Park
Vesper Sparrow around Summer Solstice at dusk.
Good Birding, Pitcher Plants, Balsam Fir. Unique area.
Westmoreland Heritage Trail – Saunders Station Trailhead
Saunders Station Rd., Monroeville, PA. GPS: 40°24’33.1″N 79°43’42.0″W. Follow US 22 until you reach the “T” intersection of US 22 and Northern Pike. Turn onto Northern Pike and then turn left after 500 feet onto Abers Creek Rd. Travel 1.5 miles and turn left onto Saunders Station Rd. After 600 feet, the Trail Access will be on your right. There is a paved parking area on the west side of Saunders Station Rd. with non-paved overflow parking on the east side.
Parking at the trailhead
The trail is along the upper stretches of Turtle Creek which flows into the Monongahela River about 10 miles downstream. Across the Saunders Station Road or upstream the trail leads towards Murrysville ~ 5 mile and downstream leads to Trafford B-Y Park ~ 3 miles. Birding and wildflowers are in the gorge toward Murrysville.
Other Locations:
Darlington Inn
We will meet at the Darlington Inn just off Route 30. Following Rt. 30 east from Latrobe, bear right onto Darlington Road (2043) just before you cross Longbridge. In about a mile you’ll see the restaurant on your right and the parking lot on your left.
Park in lot across the road from the Inn
Donahoe Center Barn
Turn north onto Donohoe Road at the
Route 30 traffic light near the overpass to the
Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg. Drive north on Donohoe 1.7 miles past WOW Outlets until you see the sign on the right for the Donohoe Center. “The Barn” is in the back.
Parking in front of Barn
Westmoreland Bird and Nature Club meeting are held at “the Barn”.