Cucumber Falls at Ohiopyle State Park is arguably the most photogenic and most photographed waterfall in western Pennsylvania!
A graceful 30 foot drop that looks simply magnificent in all seasons.
So where exactly is Cucumber Falls, and what do you need to know before you visit?
Getting There
How to Find Cucumber Falls at Ohiopyle State Park
- From the town of Ohiopyle proceed south on Route 381 and make a right turn on Kentuck Road.
Note: Kentuck Road is erroneously shown as Ohiopyle Road on Google Maps, and possibly on your navigation as well.
- Travel 1/3 of a mile on Kentuck Road and look for Cucumber Falls parking area on the right.
Navigate to GPS Coordinates 39.862901, -79.502533 to find the lot.
- Park in the large gravel lot.
Walk to the top of Cucumber Falls, just a few yards from the back corner of the parking area.
Although it looks empty here, the parking lot fills up FAST on the weekends!
Exploring the Falls
A staircase leading to an upper observation area, and then on down to the base of the falls, is located just a few steps from the the gravel parking lot.
On the back of the large Cucumber Falls sign near the stairs is a smaller sign indicating that Cucumber Falls was once part of Keister Park, a privately owned parcel of land.
History of Keister Park and Ohiopyle State Park
In 1961 Mrs. Albert F. Keister gifted Cucumber Falls and 589 acres of surrounding land to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
In addition, Pittsburgh businessman and department store mogul Edgar Kauffman donated the 100 acre Ferncliff Peninsula to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in 1962.
These two parcels were the beginnings of Ohiopyle State Park in 1965.
Viewing Cucumber Falls From Above
Despite being referred to as a “roadside waterfalls” in many publications, it should be noted that Cucumber Falls is not wheelchair accessible. A handful of stair steps separates the parking lot from the upper observation area.
From this upper observation are you catch your first glimpse of the falls.
In the winter, when the falls sometimes freeze solid, you can be sure that the remaining steps down to the base of the falls are equally icy.
So either come prepared with microspike on your boots, or don’t go beyond this point!
Viewing Cucumber Falls From Below
After a drenching rain the falls can cover nearly the entire amphitheatre of rock as the water plunges 30 feet to the pool below.
In late summer / early fall when the area is usually at its driest, Cucumber Falls more closely resembles a silver needle piercing the air.
Not every autumn is dry in the Laurel Highlands – sometimes you get lucky and the water levels are up when the foliage is changing.
When conditions are perfect in the winter, a thin layer of hoar frost turns Cucumber Falls into something out of a “Frozen” fairytale.
Standing behind the falls gives you another visual and auditory perspective.
The runoff after a heavy rain turns Cucumber Run into something resembling the river in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.
And the roar from behind the falls can be deafening!
Winter is, by far, my favorite season to visit Cucumber Falls.
Seeing the waterfalls grind to a frozen halt is a sight you won’t soon forget!
Final Thoughts
If you could visit only one waterfall in western Pennsylvania, THIS is the one I would recommend!
I hope YOU have a chance to visit it soon.
Nearby Attractions
10 Must-See Waterfalls at Ohiopyle State Park, is your guide to 10 of the best waterfall spots at Ohiopyle State Park!
World-famous Fallingwater, designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is located just up the road along Route 381.
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.
If you’re looking to get some hiking in while visiting Cucumber Falls, be sure to check out 10 of the Best Hiking Trails at Ohiopyle State Park.
If you enjoy a great vista, be sure to check out The 14 Best Scenic Overlooks in the Laurel Highlands.
If you’re visiting in the fall, be sure to check out The 12 Best Places to View Fall Foliage at Ohiopyle State Park.
If you’re visiting in the winter, be sure to check out 10 Amazing Winter Scenes at Ohiopyle State Park.
Fort Necessity in Fayette County is the site of the first battle in what would become known in North America as the French and Indian War.
Laurel Caverns in Fayette County is billed as “Pennsylvania’s Largest Cave”, and is a great way to spend an hour or two BENEATH the Laurel Highlands!
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