| Large wooden signs mark trail
access points at every major highway crossing. Six 30-car parking areas
provide starting points. In addition, voluntary day use registration
booths are located at each of the parking areas and the trail user is
encouraged to fill out information cards for vital park attendance data
and for use in the event of an emergency. For overnight use of the trail
see Special Regulation 15. Overnight reservations are mandatory. A
fee is required for overnight camping.
There are eight overnight shelter areas along the trail. Each area
contains 5 Adirondack-type shelters with fireplaces, 2 non-flush toilets, a
water supply and spaces for 30 tents.
Summary of Parking Lots and Trail Shelters
| Facility |
Mile |
Comments |
| Ohiopyle Trailhead Parking Lot |
0 mi. |
No water |
| Ohiopyle Shelter Area |
6.3 mi. |
Shelter Area |
| Maple Summit Road |
11.2 mi. |
No water |
| PA Rt. 653 Shelter Area |
18.5 mi. |
Shelter Area |
| PA Rt. 653 Parking Lot |
18.8 mi. |
Water |
| Grindle Ridge Shelter |
24 mi. |
Shelter Area |
| PA Rt. 31 Parking Lot |
30.6 mi. |
Water |
| PA Rt. 31 Shelter Area |
32.5 mi. |
Shelter Area |
| PA Turnpike Shelter Area |
38.2 mi. |
Shelter Area |
| U.S. Rt. 30 Parking Lot |
45.8 mi. |
Water |
| U.S. Rt. 30 Shelter Area |
46.5 mi. |
Shelter Area |
| PA Rt. 271 Parking Lot |
56.9 mi. |
Water |
| PA Rt. 271 Shelter Area |
56.9 mi. |
Shelter Area |
| PA Rt. 56 Decker Ave. Shelter Area |
64.9 mi. |
Shelter Area |
| PA Rt. 56 Seward Parking Lot |
70 mi. |
Northern end of the trail. No Water |
Overnight Reservations are Mandatory
Due to heavy use, the following regulations have been established to
protect the trail.
1. One responsible adult (18 years of age or older) is required to
accompany each ten campers.
2. Groups of six or more may only use one shelter.
3. Fires are only permitted in camp stoves, fireplaces, or in designated
locations. They must be extinguished when unattended.
4. Standing timber and shrubs shall not be cut. Damaging, defacing,
destroying or removing any state-owned property, sign, structure, equipment
or other material is prohibited.
5. All garbage must be placed in refuse containers provided. Refuse
containers shall not be removed from designated "pick-up" stations. Burying
garbage is prohibited.
6. All excavations for wet weather tent drainage must be filled into the
original grade before departure.
7. All campers are required to clean and remove litter daily from:
a. Toilets
b. Pump platforms and surrounding areas
c. Parking Areas
d. Campsites
8. No horses, bicycles or motorized vehicles are permitted on the hiking
trail or in shelter areas. Pets are prohibited in shelter areas.
9. Camping is permitted in shelter areas only.
10. Overnight stays are limited to one night at each shelter area.
11. Dispose of dishwater in latrines. In no instance will it be disposed
of on a campsite or the adjacent area. This causes unsanitary conditions for
the camper and next user of the site, and becomes a breeding place for flies
and mosquitoes, and attracts ants and skunks. Do not use sinks for personal
hygiene.
12. Keep off of the roofs of all buildings...this prevents water leaks
and deterioration of the shelters.
13. All ashes are to remain in the fireplaces. Do not rake them on the
ground for in wet weather ashes are brought into the shelters on the shoes
of hikers.
14. Horseplay is prohibited. It can lead to serious or fatal accidents
especially when backpacking and hikers are many hours from medical
attention.
15. Overnight registration/reservation information:
a. One (1) responsible adult for each hiking party
must write or phone the park office prior to starting an overnight trail
hike.
Directions:
Laurel Ridge State Park is located in Cambria, Fayette, Westmoreland, and
Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania.
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