Three state parks in the Laurel Highlands will offer visitors free sunscreen. "As the weather warms, it is critical people take the necessary steps to protect themselves from potentially harmful ultraviolet rays when spending extended time outdoors," said Cindy Adams Dunn, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) secretary. "We are…
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Surf’s up in the Laurel Highlands! Whitewater lovers are flocking to Somerset County this weekend for the annual Stonycreek Rendezvous. Greenhouse Park, an 11-acre oasis on the Stonycreek River, will be the gathering spot for up to 1,000 paddlers using canoes, kayaks, rafts and stand-up paddleboards in what has become a can’t-miss weekend for…
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Westmoreland County is doing more than just preserving its past during its 250 th anniversary year. The Westmoreland Pollinator Partners program is looking to improve its future as well with a project designed to ensure the survival – and revival – of the butterfly population in the Laurel Highlands. The International Union for Conservation of…
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Miles and miles of pristine streams, runs, rivers, and lakes filled with cold mountain water make the Laurel Highlands region the perfect place to cast a line and soak in the scenic beauty. Trout season opens across Pennsylvania on April 1, and anglers will be hitting the waterways in search of more than just a nibble on their lines. “Fishing in…
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When Carmen Rose moved to the Laurel Highlands more than three decades ago, the region reminded her of her homeland of Germany. She was drawn in by its scenic beauty and the outdoor opportunities that abound here. Forbes State Forest and Laurel Summit State Park are only about five miles from her Boswell-area home, and you can find the 62-year-old…
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Mother Nature couldn’t have picked better weather for First Day Hike participants at Laurel Hill State Park on Jan. 1. About three dozen of us set out with Kimberly Peck, an environmental education specialist at the park, on a 3.5-mile, out-and-back hike to Jones Mill Run Dam. With temperatures hovering around 50 degrees, it was a comfortable day…
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Holiday shoppers are out in full force, but outdoor sports lovers will once again be relying on Mother Nature to deliver their favorite gift: Snow! Luckily, the Laurel Highlands should have that covered this winter. Several long-range forecasts for the 2022-23 season are calling for colder temperatures and higher snowfall totals in the Laurel…
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Whether you’re renting a rustic cabin for the week or planning a weekend getaway to a treehouse, put on a warm sweater, pour a mug of hot cider and enjoy all that fall in the Laurel Highlands has to offer. Camping in the Laurel Highlands is a year-round activity but autumn is arguably the most beautiful time of year to visit, with dozens of options…
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The stunning 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) stretches across Laurel Mountain from the Youghiogheny River Gorge in Ohiopyle, all the way to the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown. A backpackers’ dream, the LHHT offers a semi-wilderness backpacking and day trip excursion into the mountain…
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As a young girl growing up in the river town of Confluence, Kara Weld spent countless days paddling on the water. Perhaps paddling was in her blood as her parents owned the local kayaking school, Riversport. It was here that Kara found her passion and her husband, John, who worked for Kara’s parents. That same passion guided Kara as a three-time…
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