The days are getting longer, the weather warming up and we are all feeling the urge to head outdoors! You don't have to go far; unique opportunities for escape exist right in your own backyard. The Laurel Highlands offers plenty of fresh air and room to roam, all just a short drive away.

Sleep Under the Stars

Camping

It just wouldn’t be summer in the Laurel Highlands without a camping trip on the calendar! Private campgrounds in the region are open for reservations and State Park camping options open starting Memorial Day Weekend! Bring your tent or RV and enjoy a fun-filled getaway in the great outdoors. Find hiking and biking trails onsite or at a nearby park. Make a mountain pie, roast hot dogs and melt some marshmallows for s’mores over the fire pit and take in the fresh mountain air as you gaze at the night sky. Leashed pets are allowed at most sites, so bring along your four-legged friends for a fun-filled getaway!

Activities for All Ages

Statlers' Family Fun

If you’re looking for an exciting place to take the kiddos, be sure to stop by Statler’s Fun Center in Greensburg. Test your skills on the challenging mini-golf course and speed your way around the go-kart track, two activities perfect for the whole family to try!

Evergreen Drive In Theatre

Wrap up your action-packed day with a trip to the Evergreen Drive-In in Mount Pleasant for an open air movie-watching experience. Three screens showing two movies each night lets you pick from family-friendly showings or find a more fitting genre. New for 2020 is their FanFood app so you can order popcorn, pizza, fries and more salty snacks and have them delivered right to you, without ever leaving the car! 

Golfing at Mystic Rock, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

If a date night is in order, consider a sunny afternoon for your next outing. Golf courses across the region are open with staggered tee-times to allow for plenty of space. Try something more adventurous by pairing 18 holes with a sporting clays shooting experience at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Or book your weekend getaway at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, offering outdoor activities onsite with lodging and in-room dining options available.

Tower of Voices

The Laurel Highlands is home to five National Parks with grounds and trails now open to the public. Stroll through these historical wonders and relive the events that helped shaped this nation from the before the American revolution to the events of September 11, 2001. Fresh air and open surroundings offer the perfect setting for reflection and respite. Site facilities may be limited, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly.

Outdoors Abound

Bike the Great Allegheny Passage

If you’re like many Americans right now, you’re finding yourself hopping on a bike for the first time in years. So there’s no better time than now to check out the Great Allegheny Passage. This 150-mile nearly-level bike trail runs along an old rail line, connecting downtown Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. With many access points in the Laurel Highlands, you can hop on for a short ride or plan a longer journey with camping, lodging and take-out along the way. Be sure to check operating status of businesses along the trail before traveling.

Linn Run State Park

With ten state parks and forests located in the Laurel Highlands, you’ll find plenty of sprawling landscapes full of trails for everything from gentle hiking to challenging mountain biking. Set out to discover the many hidden gems located in our park lands including waterfalls, rock structures and incredible views.

Coal Tubin' Adventures

Cool off this summer with some natural water features in the Laurel Highlands. Outfitters in Ohiopyle offer raft and kayak trips down the class I-IV rapids. Coal Tubin' in Johnstown offers guests a leisurely inner tube float trip down the Stoneycreek River complete with shuttle service, perfect for a hot summer day. The natural beaches at Laurel Hill and Keystone State Parks open to the public in June and come complete with sand and open water for swimming. Both parks also offer boat rentals with options that include stand-up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks and rowboats.
 

What’s for Dinner?

Stone House Restaurant

While our restaurants are not open for indoor dining at this time, there’s still plenty of ways to enjoy your local favorites. Many local eateries offer drive through options daily, with quick, convenient, contactless meals hot and ready to eat. Pack up your favorites and take a trip to the park for a picnic – take-out style! Be sure to grab a homemade pie from the local bakery for dessert.