PA State Parks

Exploring McConnell’s Mill State Park in Lawrence County

The best things to see and do at McConnell's Mill State Park in Lawrence County Pennsylvania.

If you’re looking for the best things to see and do at McConnell’s Mill State Park, you’re in the right place!

McConnells Mill Covered Bridge over Slippery Rock Creek in Lawrence County Pennsylvania. — McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge.

McConnell’s Mill State Park, roughly 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, is home to a slew of outstanding hikes, overlooks, waterfalls, and historic structures.

The view from Cleland Rock Overlook at McConnells Mill State Park. — The view from Cleland Rock Overlook at McConnell’s Mill State Park.

Here are six of my favorite things to do on a day trip to McConnell’s Mill State Park.

Trout fishing at Hell's Hollow Falls in Lawrence County. — Trout fishing at Hell’s Hollow Falls in Lawrence County.

1. Tour McConnell’s Mill

The namesake of the park, the first gristmill on this site was built in 1852, and then rebuilt in 1868 after the first was destroyed by fire.

McConnells Mill in Lawrence County Pennsylvania. — McConnells Mill in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.

Thomas McConnell bought the mill in 1875, and improved it by replacing the waterwheel with water turbines and the grinding stones with cylindrical roller mills.

The water wheel at McConnells MIll was replaced with these water turbines in the 1870s. — The water wheel at McConnell’s Mill was replaced with these water turbines in the 1870s.

As one of the first roller mills in the country, it processed corn, oats, wheat, and buckwheat for local customers.

Buckwheat flour was one of the finished products made at McConnells Mill in Lawrence County PA. — Buckwheat flour was one of the finished products made at the mill.

The mill operated until 1928, was conveyed to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in 1946, and officially became McConnell’s Mill State Park in October of 1957.

You can follow a self-guided tour at McConnell's Mill to see the steps taken to turn grain into flour or animal feed. — You can follow a self-guided tour at McConnell’s Mill to see the steps taken to turn grain into flour or animal feed.

The McConnell’s Mill Heritage Festival, held every September, is a great time to tour the historic grist mill and see it in operation.

A series of water-powered belts and pulleys powered the grinding operations at McConnells Mill in Lawrence County Pennsylvania. — A series of water-powered belts and pulleys powered the grinding operations at McConnell’s Mill.

In 2022, the McConnell’s Mill Heritage Festival is being held on September 24th and 25th.

Touring the McConnell's Mill grist mill at McConnell's Mill State Park in Lawrence County Pennsylvania. — Touring the McConnell’s Mill grist mill near Portersville.

There is a parking area located next to McConnell’s Mill at GPS coordinates 40.95305, -80.17038.

The dam on Slippery Rock Creek next to McConnell's Mill. — Slippery Rock Creek provides the water power to run the turbines at McConnell’s Mill.

There are several observation decks near the mill, including this one upstream that also gives you a picturesque side view of McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge.

A summer morning at McConnells Mill at McConnells Mill State Park in Lawrence County Pennsylvania. — A summer morning at McConnells Mill in Lawrence County, PA.

And if you can’t make it to the McConnell’s Mill Heritage Festival, you can still see the mill in operation on select days in the summer months.

Machinery inside McConnells Mill in Lawrence County PA. — Machinery inside McConnell’s Mill in Lawrence County.

2. Visit McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge

McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1874 and is one of the longest Howe-style truss bridges in Pennsylvania.

McConnells Mill Covered Bridge on a summer morning. — McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge on a summer morning.

A registered National Historic Landmark, the bridge is on state park land but is the property of Lawrence County.

Approaching McConnells Mill Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania — Approaching McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania

McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge spans Slippery Rock Creek and is still open to traffic.

Interior of McConnells Mill Covered Bridge in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. — Interior of McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge in Lawrence County.

The bridge was extensively rehabilitated in 2016, and hopefully will continue to carry park traffic for many years to come.

McConnell's Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1874 and rehabilitated in 2016. — McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1874 and rehabilitated in 2016.

3. Visit Alpha Falls

Alpha Falls is a 35 foot waterfall lies on a small tributary of Slippery Rock Creek (close to the grist mill and covered bridge) and usually requires a heavy downpour to get it flowing well.

Rusty Glessner at Alpha Falls at McConnells Mill State Park — The author at Alpha Falls at McConnell’s Mill State Park

It’s also an outstanding spot to photograph ice formations in the winter.

Ice formations at Alpha Falls at McConnells Mill State Park — Ice formations at Alpha Falls at McConnell’s Mill State Park

You can find a map / directions / GPS coordinates for Alpha Falls in my complete write-up about it HERE.

Alpha Falls at McConnells Mill in Lawrence County Pennsylvania — Alpha Falls.

4. Visit Cleland Rock Scenic Vista

Cleland Rock Scenic Vista looks out over the Slippery Rock Gorge, which forms the heart of McConnell’s Mill State Park.

Cleland Rock Overlook at McConnells Mill State Park on a summer morning. — Cleland Rock Overlook at McConnell’s Mill State Park on a summer morning.

There is a parking lot located right next to the overlook at GPS coordinates 40.92705, -80.18537.

Cleland Rock at McConnells Mill State Park in Lawrence County PA. — Cleland Rock at McConnell’s Mill State Park in Lawrence County, PA.

5. Hike to Hell’s Hollow Falls

Hell’s Hollow Falls is a picturesque 18 foot waterfall that lies at the end of a mostly flat half-mile hike.

The author at Hell's Hollow Falls. — The author at Hell’s Hollow Falls.

You can find out how Hell’s Hollow Falls got its name, as well as see a map to the parking area and falls in my complete write-up about it HERE.

When visiting Hell's Hollow Falls on a snowy day it is often surrounded by ice and snow as it is in this photo. — Hell’s Hollow Falls surrounded by ice and snow on a March morning.

6. Hike to Grindstone Falls

Some folks call Grindstone Falls the “hidden” waterfall at McConnell’s Mill State Park, as it doesn’t appear on the official park map.

Grindstone Falls lies on Grindstone Run, another tributary of Slippery Rock Creek.

Fall foliage surrounding Grindstone Falls at McConnells Mill State Park — Fall foliage surrounding Grindstone Falls at McConnell’s Mill State Park

You’ll find a map, directions, and GPS coordinates for the parking area for Grindstone Falls in my complete write-up on the subject HERE.

Grindstone Run at McConnells Mill State Park — Grindstone Run at McConnell’s Mill State Park

Nearby Attractions

Quaker Falls is a 50 foot-tall waterfall in the newly-created Quaker Falls Recreation Area in Lawrence County.

Approaching Quaker Falls in Lawrence County Pennsylvania. — Approaching Quaker Falls in Lawrence County

Buttermilk Falls is located in neighboring Beaver County, and is one of a handful of Pennsylvania waterfalls that you can stand BEHIND!

The author behind Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County PA.

Moraine State Park is a 16,725-acre recreational area located in neighboring Butler County.

Crescent Bay Overlook on the South Shore of Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park. — Overlooking Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park in Butler County.

Big Run Falls in nearby New Castle is a 20 foot tall waterfall at the heart of an abandoned amusement park turned nature park.

Big Run Falls in Lawrence County Pennsylvania. — Big Run Falls in Lawrence County.

Springfield Falls is a beautiful roadside waterfall in neighboring Mercer County.

Springfield Falls is also kown as Leesburg Falls and is located three miles west of Grove City Pennsylvania. — A spring morning at Springfield Falls in Mercer County.

Playthings Etc. is a stealth bomber-shaped toy store along Route 8 in Butler County, billed by the owners as “The World’s Coolest Toy Store”!

Exploring the Stealth Bomber Toy Store in Butler County Pennsylvania — Playthings Etc. in Butler County.

The Fountain of Youth really does exist, and you can find it in a public park just north of Pittsburgh!

The Fountain of Youth in North Park, north of PIttsburgh. — The Fountain of Youth in North Park, Allegheny County.

Looking for even more waterfalls near Pittsburgh?

The be sure to check out 12 Must-See Waterfalls in Western Pennsylvania.

Logan Falls in Forest County PA — Logan Falls in Forest County, PA

Or you can head east a bit take in the 10 Must-See Waterfalls at Ohiopyle State Park.

Cucumber Falls on a summer morning. — Cucumber Falls at Ohiopyle State Park on a summer morning.

The Best Waterfalls Near Pittsburgh Road Trip is an epic 358 mile round-trip adventure of a lifetime!

A roadmap to the best waterfalls near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Discover directions to HUNDREDS of waterfalls from all corners of the Keystone State in my Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfalls Guide!

The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfall Guide created by Rusty Glessner — **The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfalls Guide** by Rusty Glessner.

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