Visit the Laurel Highlands

Laurel Highlands

Be among the thousands of outdoor enthusiasts and visitors who flock to the Laurel Highlands year-round to enjoy one of the most beautiful natural environments in the Eastern United States.

An extension of the Central Appalachians, the Laurel Highlands encompasses portions of the Allegheny Mountains and Youghiogheny River in Fayette, Somerset, Westmoreland and Cambria counties. High gradient streams, sandstone outcrops, limestone caves and large tracts of intact forestland define this rugged landscape.

Fallingwater sits in the scenic, wooded Bear Run Nature Reserve on PA Route 381 between the quaint villages of Mill Run and Ohiopyle in Fayette County. Fallingwater is located in southwestern Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands and 90 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. There are many fun and interesting things to do within a short distance from Fallingwater.

Explore lodging accommodations for your visit

For additional information about visiting the Laurel Highlands please contact the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau at 1-800-333-5661 or online at www.laurelhighlands.org.

Bear Run Nature Reserve

Fallingwater is nestled within the lush, wooded 5,080-acre Bear Run Nature Reserve. This reserve has 20 miles of hiking trails, features a hemlock forest and cold water streams, and hosts rare plants and animals.
Learn more about this nature reserve.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Kentuck Knob and Wright at Polymath Park

Inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s work can also be found in several houses in southwestern Pennsylvania that are excellent examples of his Usonian-style architecture.
Learn more about these Wright-designed houses.

Ohiopyle State Park

Pennsylvania State Park system, Ohiopyle is situated where the slopes of Laurel Ridge meet the Youghiogheny River to create Pennsylvania’s deepest gorge.
Website: www.dcnr.pa.gov/
Phone: 724-329-8591

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Fort Necessity, site of the first battle of the French & Indian War, is located about 11 miles east of Uniontown along the historic National Road (Route 40) in Farmington, PA.
Website:  www.nps.gov/fone
Phone: 624-329-5805

Historic National Road

The National Road — “The Road that built the Nation” — was America’s first federally funded highway. Named a favorite route for “auto touring” in the 1920’s, it still offers visitors the opportunity to relive the spirit of a growing America.
Website: www.nationalroadpa.org
Phone: 724-437-9877

Touchstone Center for Crafts

Touchstone Center for Crafts is a unique three-season craft school which includes classes and courses in contemporary and experimental techniques in blacksmithing, ceramics, metals, textiles, glass blowing, glass beadmaking, stained glass, oil and watercolor painting, and more.
Website: www.touchstonecrafts.org
Phone: 800-721-0177

Great Allegheny Passage

Plan an amazing bike excursion like none other on a trail system that passes through the heart of the Laurel Highlands while connecting two great American cities – Pittsburgh and Washington D.C.  Together the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath follow over 300 miles of winding rivers, shady forests and panoramic vistas, all on a nearly level trail. The land for the first segment of the trail was protected by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
Website: gaptrail.org
Phone: 888-282-BIKE

Laurel Caverns

Located 5 miles off the historic National Road (Route 40) on Skyline Drive, Laurel Caverns is a 435-acre geological park featuring Pennsylvania’s largest cave, which contains over 3 miles of passages under Chestnut Ridge.
Website: www.laurelcaverns.com
Phone: 800-515-4150