Laurel Ridge State Park, Laurel Highlands Hiking TrailTrail mileage within park: 70 milesTotal trail mileage: 70 milesNumber of overnight sites: 8Number of shelters per site: 5Number of tent spaces per site: 25Amenities available: firewood, fireplaces, fire rings and pit toiletsAmenities NOT available: Check in at park office for availability of waterPets allowed: yesReserve sites: 11 months in advance through reservePAOhiopyle State Park, Laurel Highlands Hiking TrailOhiopyle is the southern entrance to the Laurel Highlands Hiking TrailMoraine State Park, North Country National Scenic TrailTrail mileage within (McConnells Mill, Moraine and Jennings): 25.9 miles, Trail mileage within just Moraine = 13.9 milesTotal trail mileage: 4,600 milesNumber of overnight sites: 1  (at Moraine State Park)Number of shelters per site: 3Number of tent spaces per site: 0Amenities available: restroom and fireringAmenities NOT available: firewood and waterPets allowed: YesReserve sites: 11 months in advance through reservePAOil Creek State Park, Oil Creek/Gerard Hiking TrailTrail mileage within park: 36 milesTotal trail mileage: 36 milesNumber of overnight sites: 2Number of shelters per site: 6Number of tent spaces per site: spaces are availableAmenities available: water (Seasonal April 1 to November 1), firewood (when available)

, restrooms, picnic table and fireplacesAmenities NOT available:Pets allowed: YesReserve sites: 11 months in advance through reservePARaccoon Creek State ParkBackpacking trail loop mileage within park: 44 milesNumber of overnight sites: 2Number of shelters per site: 5Number of tent spaces per site: 5Amenities available: water & pit latrines/port-a-johns available 1/4-mile from campsite, fire ringAmenities NOT available: firewood (may be purchased at park office)Pets allowedhylete backpack: YesReserve sites: 11 months in advance through reservePAjosh lyman backpackShaded by a dense hardwood canopy, cut by clear, wildflower lined creeks, and pocked with postcard-worthy ridgetop views, the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) is one of the Keystone state’s marquee paths. backpack lijst zuid oost azie

An hour south of Pittsburgh, the Laurel Highlands hover around 2,500 feet, and stay 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the humid valley floor. wenger swissgear ibex laptop backpackPack light: There are eight shelter sites along the five- to six-day trek. levi's sutherland backpackEach site is equipped with a water pump, outhouses, refuse bins, tent-camping areas, and five Adirondack-style lean-to’s, replete with stone fireplaces and built-in cooking racks.miga backpack Do it From the LHHT’s southwest terminus (1), just north of Ohiopyle, head northeast to a 2,200-foot unnamed knob (2). Stop for a jpeg of the the rushing Youghiogheny (sounds like: Yawkagainy) River below. Camp comes early at the Ohiopyle Shelters at mile 6.3 (3).

Next morning, prepare for a 1.2-mile lung-buster that climbs 1,100 feet on stone staircases. Along the way, mushrooms and mosses yield to wildflowers, then towering hardwoods and fern-carpeted groves. At mile 11 (4), soak your head under a six-foot cascade streaming over 360-million-year-old rock. Watch for redback salamanders and wood ducks as you cross a small dam a mile later (5). By mile 16, large swaths mountain laurel, the state flower, line the trail (blooming through June). You’ll pass massive rock outcroppings before arriving at the Rt. 653 Shelters at mile 18 (6). Rise early for the next day’s 14-mile trek, and you’ll have plenty of time for a mid-morning break to watch hawks at an overlook at mile 21.3 (7). Pass the Grindle Ridge Shelters in two more miles (8). ) at mile 26.2 (9), the highest point on the trail. From here, hike down ski slopes, past the snowmaking ponds, and finally up switchbacks to the Rt. 31 Shelters (10). On day three, trek 12 miles through cherry, maple, beech, and hemlock, crossing a hikers’ bridge over the turnpike at mile 36.

Pass the Turnpike Shelters and take a break at Beam Rock (11), an outcrop of 90-foot-high pinnacles. It’s five more wooded miles to the Rt. 30 Shelters (12) at mile 46.5. Start day four with a quick splash in Machine Run (13), a spring 1.5 miles from camp. From here, head 9.5 miles through giant cinnamon ferns sprinkled with patches of blueberry and blackberry bushes to the Rt. 271 Shelters at mile 56.9 (14). The final day is a relatively gentle 13 miles. Be sure to stop at the lookout tower at mile 66 for a view of Conemaugh Gap and shimmering Big Spring Reservoir. From the tower, it’s four downhill miles to the trailhead. Bring Rover In 2008, for the first time ever, dogs are allowed at overnight shelters. Season October is prime time, with colorful foliage and great weather. It’s also when most of the 70,000 annual visitors go (less than one percent are thru-hikers). Alternatively, try spring through midsummer for roaring creeks and lighter traffic. Look both ways Timber rattlesnakes, black bears, and poison ivy are concerns, but the biggest dangers to Zen-ed out hikers are the numerous road crossings.

Be especially aware at US 30 and PA 271. Permits Required for the shelters ($4.50/night; dcnr.state.us.pa/stateparks, 724-455-3744). The Way From Pittsburgh, drive 65 miles southeast on I-76 to PA 31/711/381. Head south 22 miles to Ohiopyle.Western Pennsylvania’s diverse nature provides an unending array of options for the backpacking community. Countless trails run alongside the many regions of our three major river systems that sweep along the wooded hillsides and rocky outcrops common to the area. Here are the best summer backpacking trips in Pittsburgh. Spread across more than 20,000 acres, Ohiopyle State Park is an ideal locale for a number of recreational activities. It offers variety in bike trails, picnic spots, trophy trout fishing and some of the most beautiful places around to spend a day or two backpacking. The state park also offers over 18,000 acres open to hunting, trapping and training dogs. Common game to be found in the park is deer, turkey, grouse, rabbit and squirrel.

Click here to see the top 10 activities to do at Ohiopyle State Park. Forbes Forest District 4 1291 Route 30, P.O. Box 519 Mount Davis, at an elevation of 3,212 feet, boasts the highest point in Pennsylvania. This peak of the Negro Mountain is located in Somerset County and surrounded by more than 5,000 acres of Forbes State Forest. Adventure seekers, mountaineers and backpackers alike come from miles around to experience glorious vistas and challenging terrain. For 30 contiguous miles, the elevation never drops below 3,000 feet and trail options can accommodate everyone from beginners to seasoned veterans. Camping here is open to backpackers in some undeveloped areas, as well as the six designated motorized campsites. Camp fires are allowed but under specific regulations. Check out the camp brochure for a better understanding of limitations. McConnells Mill State Park 2697 McConnell’s Mill Road The Slippery Rock Gorge Trail is ripe with geologic wonders that include natural bridges, caverns and even some abandoned coal mines that date back to the turn of the 20th century.

As part of the North Country National Scenic Trail system, it is one part of a much larger trail system that stretches all the way from North Dakota to New York. The ominously named Hell’s Hollow trail is a favorite amongst backpackers and hikers. Related: Best Camping Around Pittsburgh Rachel Carson Trail Conservancy The Rachel Carson Trail extends more than 38 miles from Harrison Hills County Park to North Park Beaver Shelter and represents a true challenge for backpackers and hikers alike. Test your mettle this summer at the 18th Annual Rachel Carson Challenge scheduled to take place on the first full day of summer, June 21, 2014. The Rachel Carson Challenge is limited to 600 participants ages 12 and up. There is also a half challenge, 17 miles in length, and a family-friendly seven-mile option to accommodate a wider range of backpackers and hikers. The Green River Trail culls much of its popularity and appeal from the natural and historic beauty as it winds along the banks of the Monongahela River.