Ohiopyle State Park

The park lies in the Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests ecoregion. Waterfalls Ohiopyle State Park features several waterfalls. • Ohiopyle Falls is a waterfall that spans the Youghiogheny River and is surrounded by the Falls Day Use Area located at the center of the park. • Cucumber Falls is a 36-foot (11 m) bridal veil waterfall on Cucumber Run, a small creek that flows into the Youghiogheny River. It can be reached from Meadow Run Trail. The first known group of people to inhabit the Ohiopyle area were the Monongahela, a clan of the mound builders. These Native Americans disappeared from the scene just as European colonists began to arrive in North America. As the east coast was being settled, Native Americans who had lived closer to the Atlantic Ocean were exterminated or forced to flee to the west. Various tribes, including the Shawnee, Lenni Lenape, and Seneca people, inhabited the Ohiopyle area during the 18th century but were ultimately removed after the French and Indian War. One of the few remnants of American Indian culture in the area is the name. "Ohiopyle" is derived from the Lenape phrase ahi opihəle, which means 'it turns very white', referring to the frothy waterfalls. ==Recreation==

at Meadow Run Ohiopyle State Park is a popular destination for rafting, kayaking, and canoeing, but it also has over 100 miles (160 km) of trails that are open to hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, mountain bikes, and snowmobiles. The trails pass by several of the park's waterfalls and ascend the mountains to scenic overlooks. Whitewater paddling The Youghiogheny River is the busiest section of whitewater east of the Mississippi River. The Lower Yough, a 7-mile (11 km) run, begins at Ohiopyle Falls and ends at the Bruner Run take-out. The Middle Yough begins at the Ramcat put-in near Confluence and ends just above the falls in Ohiopyle. One weekend per year or so, there is a race and festival devoted to the falls, and the state park permits paddlers to run the falls. Only rubber rafts, closed-top canoes, and kayaks are permitted in the river. All visitors must wear life jackets certified by the United States Coast Guard. The Lower Yough River is rated Class III to Class IV on the International Scale of River Difficulty, depending on water conditions; the easier Middle Yough is rated II, and Ohiopyle Falls is rated IV. Boating must be in accordance with the Safety Code of American Whitewater. Inexperienced visitors are encouraged to hire one of the several private outfitters that offer guided trips down the rapids. The trail system connects to a wide network of rustic hiking and equestrian trails, including the Appalachian Trail in Maryland. A network of hiking trails exists within the park itself. The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, part of the larger Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, has its southern terminus at Ohiopyle State Park. Hunting and fishing Hunting is permitted on 18,000 acres (7,300 ha) of Ohiopyle State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species are ruffed grouse, eastern gray squirrel, wild turkey, American black bear, white-tailed deer, and eastern cottontail rabbits. Hunting of groundhogs is prohibited. Loaded firearms are not permitted within 50 feet (15 m) of the river. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission assures that anglers will have plenty of chances to catch fish by stocking trout in the waters of the Youghiogheny River. All fishermen are required to follow the rules and regulations of the fish commission. Camping and picnicking Visitors can stay overnight at Ohiopyle State Park's Kentuck Campground or rent a cottage. The campground has 226 campsites, with 27 of them being walk-in, tent-only sites. All campsites have a picnic table and fire ring, modern restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets, and four playgrounds. The rustic cottages have electricity but lack running water. Each cottage can sleep five people in single or double bunks. There are two picnic areas at Ohiopyle State Park. Both have tables, grills, restrooms, and pavilions. Cucumber Run Picnic Area is near Cucumber Run. Tharp Knob Picnic Area is near the Tharp Knob Overlook. It has a large ballfield, volleyball court, playground, and two pavilions. ==References==