Hiking the Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park

Exploring the Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County Pennsylvania.

The Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park is a 1.85 mile loop hike featuring waterfalls, enormous rock formations, fossils, and all-around gorgeous Laurel Highlands scenery.

A fossil along the Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.
A fossil along the Meadow Run Trail.

Getting There

A map of the Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.
A map of the Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.

How to Find the Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park

  1. From Route 381 south of Ohiopyle, turn onto Dinnerbell Road.

    Look for the Meadow Run Trailhead area sign along Dinnerbell Road and park here.
    Meadow Run Trailhead along Dinnerbell Road at Ohiopyle State Park.

  2. Look for the trail sign pictured below near the back lower corner of the parking area.

    My advice is to follow the trail towards Flatrock, hiking the Meadow Run Trail in a clockwise direction. This makes for a MUCH more pleasant loop hike as you will start and finish you hike going downhill.
    Meadow Run Trail sign near parking area.

  3. At 0.48 miles reach Flatrock along Meadow Run.
    GPS Coordinates for Flatrock: 39.85553, -79.48925

    After hiking downhill for roughly half a mile, you’ll encounter this popular spot along Meadow Run.Flat Rock along Meadow Run at Ohiopyle State Park.

  4. Hike upstream along the Meadow Run Trail for 0.55 miles to the Lower Cascades on Meadow Run.

    As you reach the Lower Cascades you’ll see the faded sign below along the trail, on your left. Trail sign at the Lower Cascades on Meadow Run

  5. Arrive at the Lower Cascades on Meadow Run.
    GPS Coordinates for the Lower Cascades Falls: 39.84899, -79.48993

    The Lower Cascades along the Meadow Run Trail.

  6. Proceed up the Meadow Run Trail 0.25 miles to the Upper Cascades.

    You’ll see the sign below along the trail.
    Sign along the Meadow Run Trail at the Upper Cascades.

  7. Arrive at the Upper Cascades on Meadow Run.
    GPS Coordinates for the Upper Cascades Falls: 39.84912, -79.49042

    The Upper Cascades Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.

  8. Continue following the yellow-blazed Meadow Run Trail for approximately 150 yards as it turns sharply right and starts uphill towards the rock climbing area.

    Ascending the Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park towards the rock climbing area.

  9. Arrive at the rock climbing area.
    GPS Coordinates for the Rock Climbing Area: 39.84989, -79.48992

    Rusty Glessner approaching the Meadow Run climbing area at Ohiopyle State Park.

  10. Continue past the rock climbing area for 0.7 miles as the trail descends back towards your vehicle, completing the 1.85 mile Meadow Run Loop.


Flatrock along Meadow Run

Flatrock is a popular destination for hikers and fishermen alike.

Fly fisherman at Flat Rock along the Meadow Run Trail.
Fly fisherman at Flatrock along the Meadow Run Trail.

As the name implies, it is a massive flat rock, filled with natural “potholes”.

A scene from the Meadow Run Trail near Flat Rock.
A scene from the Meadow Run Trail near Flatrock.

Meadow Run Between Flatrock and the Cascades

Numerous photo-ops exist between Flatrock and the Lower Cascades, as you make your way upstream along the Meadow Run Trail.

An autumn view of Meadow Run at Ohiopyle State Park.
An autumn view of Meadow Run at Ohiopyle State Park.

This is another reason I like hiking the Meadow Run Loop in a clockwise fashion, as your eyes are always looking upstream.

Unnamed cascades along Meadow Run at Ohiopyle State Park.
Unnamed cascades along Meadow Run at Ohiopyle State Park.

In my opinion, this makes it easier to spot the “good stuff”.

Trout fisherman use the Meadow Run Trail to get to their favorite fishing holes throughout the year.
Trout fisherman use the Meadow Run Trail to get to their favorite fishing holes throughout the year.

Lower Cascades on Meadow Run

The Lower Cascades have more of the traditional waterfall appearance to them.

Fall foliage along the Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.
Fall foliage along the Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.

When the temperatures are below freezing, small ice formations dangle from the laurel around the falls.

A late February view of the Lower Cascades Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.
A late February view of the Lower Cascades Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.

Of course there’s no “bad” season to visit the Lower Cascades Falls.

The Lower Cascades Falls along the Meadow Run Trail.
The Lower Cascades Falls along the Meadow Run Trail.

Upper Cascades on Meadow Run

The Upper Cascades are more complex than the Lower Cascades.

An October scene at the Upper Cascades along the Meadow Run Trail.
An October scene at the Upper Cascades along the Meadow Run Trail.

After a hard rain the Upper Cascades swell to raging proportions.

A side view of the Upper Cascades on Meadow Run after the spring thaw.
A side view of the Upper Cascades on Meadow Run after the spring thaw.

While at other times of year you can easily walk out across the falls to photograph the far side from up close.

A summer view of the Upper Cascades on Meadow Run.
A summer view of the Upper Cascades on Meadow Run.

Final Thoughts

The Meadow Run Trail features just about everything you could want in a relatively short loop hike.

The Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park is a wonderful fall foliage hike.
The Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park is a wonderful fall foliage hike.

Waterfalls, rock formations, and all-around gorgeous scenery make this one of the best short hikes at Ohiopyle State Park!

The Lower Cascades along the Meadow Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.
The Lower Cascades along the Meadow Run Trail.

Nearby Attractions

Hiking the Ferncliff Trail at Ohiopyle State Park will introduce you to another fantastic short hike – the 1.8 mile loop hike around the historic Ferncliff Peninsula along the banks of the mighty Youghiogheny River.

Exploring the Ferncliff Trail at Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County Pennsylvania
The Ferncliff Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.

10 of the Best Hiking Trails at Ohiopyle State Park will show you even more hiking opportunities inside the confines of the park.

The author at Fechter Run Falls in the spring of 2019.
The author at Fechter Run Falls along the Sugar Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.

10 Must-See Waterfalls at Ohiopyle State Park will introduce you to the best sights and sounds along the creeks and streams in the park.

The author at Lower Jonathan Run Falls in the spring of 2019.
The author at Lower Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.

Baughman Rock Overlook at Ohiopyle State Park is one of the finest scenic overlooks in the Laurel Highlands.

The author photographing an autumn sunrise at Baughman Rock Overlook.
The author at Baughman Rock Overlook.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Fayette County is perhaps the most famous private residence in all of Pennsylvania.

Fallingwater as seen from the "Classic View" on the Visitor Center map.
Fallingwater in Fayette County, PA.

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 sandstone walls and cantilevered roof over the patio surrounding Kentuck Knob.
The sandstone walls and cantilevered roof over the patio at Kentuck Knob in Fayette County.

Nearby Laurel Caverns is billed as “Pennsylvania’s Largest Cave”, and is a great way to spend an hour or two BENEATH Fayette County!

The overhead Grand Canyon of Laurel Caverns.
Laurel Caverns in Fayette County.

Still not convinced you need to explore the Cascades on Meadow Run?

Then check out this video!


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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.