Laurel Ridge State Park - Rockwood, PA
Laurel Ridge State Park – A Dog-Friendly Escape in Rockwood, Pennsylvania
Located in the scenic Laurel Highlands, Laurel Ridge State Park offers pet owners and their furry friends a unique opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful areas in Rockwood, Pennsylvania. The park boasts miles of dog-friendly hiking trails of varying difficulty, welcoming both expert hikers and those looking for a leisurely stroll with their pets. The well-maintained trails are perfect for those seeking pet-friendly outdoor adventures in the region, and dogs are welcome to enjoy the sights and smells alongside their owners.
Laurel Ridge’s amenities include picnic tables, public restrooms, and wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking, making it a comfortable destination for all visitors. The park is known for its excellent trail system, including the extensive Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, and features beautiful shelter areas for rest and overnight stays (with reservations). Families with kids will appreciate the kid-friendly hikes and dedicated areas for children, while responsible pet ownership is encouraged to help preserve this natural haven.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed at the park? Yes, dogs are allowed at Laurel Ridge State Park and are welcome on the hiking trails.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are public restrooms available.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, both the entrance and parking lot are wheelchair accessible.
- Are there activities for kids? Yes, the park features kid-friendly hikes and is considered good for kids.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park is renowned for its extensive hiking trail system, including the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, the trails and facilities are well maintained and kept in great condition.
- Are picnics allowed? Yes, picnic tables are available for use.
- Is the park open year-round? Yes, activities including hiking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing are available in different seasons.
Reviews
The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is an awesome trail with great shelters for overnight stays (with reservations) – if you’ve never checked out this gem, put it on your list!
Great place for hiking, Easy,Medium, and hard areas for everyone to experience the awesome laurel highlands.just remember to wear proper amount of blaze orange during hunting season if you should chose to hike. Respect the area and take out what you take in. Help keep the Laurel Highlands beautiful
Laurel Ridge State Park contains the 70 mile hiking trail from Ohiopyle to Johnstown. Do a small section for the day or plan for a several day hike to take in the whole trail. Get a map so you know where the warming huts are for winter. Also in season, be careful as hunting is allowed in almost all of the park.
Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are also popular here in winter.
For events at this park visit: events dcnr pa
For more information: pa parks and forests
(diamond)
A friend of mine and myself went backpacking on an overnighter. We started at the Northern terminus of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, mile marker 70. That would be the Route 56 Trailhead. We backpacked in 5 1/2 miles to the Route 56 shelter area. The trail is well marked and the upkeep is great. No issues. The initial 2-3 mile climb out of the trailhead is a constant up hill, so you just have to be prepared for it. The shelter and camping area was great. It had fire rings, supplied firewood, and restrooms.
It was a great experience.
A lovely park. The trails are moderate in difficulty in the section we did. Our two small dogs had a good time and were able to walk most of it.