Observation Area at Ohiopyle Falls

The epicenter and focus for the park is the observation decks with their view of the nearly twenty foot Ohiopyle Falls. Three decks of various angles and heights provide you a gorgeous view of the falls and the rapids leading up to them. The white frothy Youghiogheny River seems calm below the falls but a distant look down river shows old growth White Pines acting as sentinels to more white water river action below. The decks provide quite a panorama of scenery including Ferncliff Peninsula on the opposite shore looking wild and remote with its thick vegetation broken by large rocks flanked by rhododendrons and Eastern Hemlocks surrounded by hardwoods. A short walkway with interpretive signs leads you to an overlook with a beautiful head on view of the entire waterfall. At your back is a fully remodeled and informative visitor center with an indoor glass observation deck of its own. The visitor center is now a venerable museum offering many exhibits about this top rated park, its geology and the areas history.

Caution

How to Access

Park at the main visitor parking area near downtown Ohiopyle and follow the pathways to the Ohiopyle Falls area.

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More Information

In front of the observation decks are as assemblage of plants unique or common to this area and Ferncliff Peninsula. Informative signage is scattered describing the geology and history such as the waterfall altering history when George Washington encountered it and abandoned a water route to the Forks of the Ohio. The park does have spotlights aimed at the falls and has them lighted at night during certain events. This area is most crowded in summer and particularly on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. The park staff in the visitor center is friendly and can help you find out more on your visit.

Observation Area at Ohiopyle Falls is located in Pennsylvania.