Baughman Rock Overlook is one of the most spectacular mountain vistas in the Laurel Highlands region of southwestern Pennsylvania!
Located at Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County, this overlook offers tremendous bang for your buck – miles of views just a few yards from a roadside parking area.
Directions to Baughman Rock Overlook
How to Find Baughman Rock Overlook at Ohiopyle State Park
- From Route 381 in the town of Ohiopyle, turn onto Sugarloaf road and proceed 2 miles.
- Navigate to the parking area on the left hand side of the road at GPS Coordinates 39.844912, -79.473838.
Look for this sign along the road indicating a photo opportunity area.
- Park in the large gravel lot.
Walk from the back of the parking lot up the gravel and stone path approximately 75 yards to Baughman Rock Overlook.
Photographing the View from Baughman Rock Overlook
Baughman Rock Overlook is a magnet for sunrise photographers.
A wood-and-stone fence offers a spot to support your camera, but if you want to give yourself more options for composing your photos, bring a study tripod.
Winter Views at Baughman Rock Overlook
Winter is a great time to visit Baughman Rock Overlook, where the close proximity of the overlook to the road means it is accessible virtually every day of the year, regardless of snowfall amounts.
Winter sunrises are truly majestic from this vista.
But even if the sunrise is a bust and low clouds dominate, the view is still superb.
Springtime Views at Baughman Rock Overlook
When the last snows of winter hang on into early spring, the contours of the mountains to the north become much more apparent.
The lack of foliage at this time of year doesn’t mean that sunrises here at Baughman Rock are any less stunning.
Eventually the foliage emerges from its slumber, with the help of springtime showers.
Summer Views at Baughman Rock Overlook
Summer ushers in the brunt of the tourist season at Ohiopyle State Park, although I’ve spent many solitary mornings photographing the sunrise at Baughman Rock even then.
Foggy summer morning create perfect conditions for “God beams” to appear over Baughman Rock Overlook.
And if you’re a patient kind of person, watching the fog burn off at Baughman Rock Overlook can be rewarding as well.
Autumn Views
Autumn ushers in “leaf peeping” season, and Baughman Rock Overlook offers a tremendous vantage point to see brilliant fall foliage in the Laurel Highlands.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Baughman Rock Overlook
Baughman Rock Overlook is a magnificent four-season destination in the Laurel Highlands.
Its close proximity to the road, as well as to several other top destinations at Ohiopyle State Park, make it a must-see when visiting the area.
Nearby Attractions
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater is just a few miles away, and is quite possibly Pennsylvania’s most famous residence!
Kentuck Knob in Fayette County is another nearby Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, built in 1954 for Isaac and Bernardine Hagan, founders of the Hagan Ice Cream company in nearby Uniontown, PA.
The 15 Best Scenic Overlooks in the Laurel Highlands is your guide to even more great vistas in Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties.
Cucumber Falls is a 10 minute drive from Baughman Rock Overlook!
10 Must-See Waterfalls at Ohiopyle State Park is your guide to ALL the best waterfalls near Baughman Rock Overlook.
Nearby Laurel Caverns is billed as “Pennsylvania’s Largest Cave”, and is a great way to spend an hour or two BENEATH Fayette County!
Fort Necessity National Battlefield in Fayette County is where the first shots of the French and Indian War were fired.
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