Tucked along the ridge of Laurel Mountain in the Allegheny highlands, Laurel Mountain State Park spans 493 acres across Somerset and Westmoreland Counties. Established in 1964, this compact park punches well above its size thanks to one standout feature: some of the best downhill skiing in Pennsylvania at Laurel Mountain Ski Resort, which operates within the park boundaries.

Winter is the headliner here. The ski area offers slopes with surprising vertical drop for the region, along with natural snowfall that the high elevation reliably delivers. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails wind through the surrounding hardwood forest when conditions cooperate, making this a genuine cold-weather destination in a state where quality ski terrain is limited.

Outside of winter, the park serves as a quieter retreat. Hiking trails follow the ridgeline through dense stands of oak, maple, and the mountain laurel that gives the park its name — blooming in spectacular pink and white clusters each June. The elevated terrain provides cooler temperatures than the surrounding valleys, and occasional overlooks reward hikers with views across the rolling Laurel Highlands landscape.

Laurel Mountain sits along the same ridge system as several other notable public lands, including Laurel Ridge and Linn Run state parks, making it easy to combine visits. Forbes State Forest borders the area as well, expanding your options considerably.

Visit in late January through February for the best snow, or time a summer trip for mid-June when the mountain laurel is at peak bloom. This is a day-use park — plan lodging in nearby Ligonier or at one of the adjacent state parks.

Explore Nearby

• Monongahela National Forest — National Forest in West Virginia
• Highland Scenic Highway — Scenic Byway in West Virginia
• George Washington and Jefferson National Forest — National Forest in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky
• Blue Ridge Parkway — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• King Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania