Ohiopyle Falls is a 15-foot waterfall on the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. It marks the start of the famous Lower Yough whitewater run and is a central attraction of the park.
The falls
The whole width of the Youghiogheny pours over a single block-shaped ledge. Lidar data puts the full drop at no more than 15 feet: the main vertical ledge accounts for about 10 to 12 feet and a sliding cascade leading into it makes up the rest. Earlier surveys listed 20 feet, and the park guide still uses that figure.
Getting there
The falls are in the Falls Day Use Area beside the Laurel Highlands Falls Area Visitor Center, and an ADA-accessible observation deck overlooks them. The park is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset, day use areas close at dusk, and Pennsylvania state parks charge no entrance fee. The 1.7-mile Ferncliff Trail loop also passes the falls on its way to Washington's Overlook and Lover's Leap.
When to go
Early morning gives the best photo light; the falls are most powerful after heavy rain, and autumn foliage adds to the scenery.
On site
Swimming above and below the falls is prohibited because of strong currents and submerged hazards. Running the falls by boat is allowed only under the park's private boater falls access program: groups of three or more, from April 1 through the weekend before Thanksgiving, with permission obtained and rules followed at the Lower Launch Area. Below the falls the Lower Yough runs seven miles of class III and IV rapids to Bruner Run, with undercut rocks, ledges and swift currents; the park guide warns that injury and death are a possibility when boating the river. Pets must be leashed and attended.
History and name
The name Ohiopyle, or "Ohiopehelle," probably comes from Native American words meaning white, frothy water. In 1754 Lieutenant Colonel George Washington, marching with 150 soldiers, tried to find an easier route by river from Confluence and found the falls impassable; he continued toward the future site of Pittsburgh, and the clashes that followed opened the French and Indian War. A large sawmill later stood near the falls.
Nearby
Natural Waterslides on Meadow Run is about 0.4 mile away, Cucumber Falls about 0.5 mile, reached by the Cucumber Falls Trail from the visitor center, and Cascade Falls on Meadow Run about 1.3 miles. The Ferncliff Trail loops through the old-growth forest of the Ferncliff Peninsula, a National Natural Landmark formed by a meander of the river.
Distances are straight-line.