Latest news with #OhiopyleStatePark
CBS News
7 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Crews form human chain to rescue people caught in storm at Ohiopyle State Park
Visitors to Ohiopyle State Park had to scramble and take cover as powerful thunderstorms rolled through on Sunday afternoon. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources reported that at one point in the middle of the storm, crews had to rescue people by forming a human chain to pull them to safety. The storm had driving rain, lightning and thunder, downbursts, and 60-mile-per-hour straight-line winds. Chris Houck, the park operations manager at Ohiopyle, says that park rangers and first responders worked quickly, even during the storm, to get people out of harm's way. "The initial response was visitor safety," Houck said. "Evacuating people from some of the busier, rougher trained areas like Cucumber Falls and the Natural Water Slides, and extracting people from vehicles with downed trees, we had at least one entrapment." Clean up has been underway since the storm passed, with crews moving massive amounts of debris and cutting huge trees that came down in some of the park's most popular recreation areas. As much damage as the park received, however, Houck says it could have been worse, and they are lucky no one was hurt. "We have had no reports of major injuries related to the storm. I don't know how," said Houck. "If you go look at the woods out there, trees everywhere, and on a Sunday here at Ohiopyle, it's regular for us to see hundreds, if not thousands, of people here." Cleanup is still underway at Ohiopyle State Park, and the park is open. Just be aware that if you are coming out and hitting the trails, some are still closed until they can be properly assessed and cleared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
9 Pa. state parks named among best in the US for 2025 — and one ranks No. 1
Nine Pennsylvania state parks are among the best value stays in the nation, including one in the southwestern region of the state that's ranked in the No. 1 spot. The analysis comes from vacation rental company HomeToGo, which released its 2025 State Park Index July 31. Topping the list of 100 state parks across the U.S. was Ohiopyle State Park. 'Waterfalls roar and trails wind through rugged gorges in this slice of the Alleghenies,' HomeToGo said of its No. 1 pick. 'Known for its natural waterslides and scenic Youghiogheny River, 2025's top state park is a veritable playground for hikers, rafters, and travelers chasing untamed landscapes.' Located in Fayette County, Ohiopyle State Park encompasses around 20,500 acres and offers hiking and multi-use trails, horseback and snowmobile riding, picnicking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing and more. HomeToGo highlighted the park's waterfalls and trails, calling the destination 'a playground for hikers, rafters and nature seekers.' The 2025 index ranked state parks on a number of metrics, including accommodation price and affordability, size, scenic nature, trails, wildlife and a 'hidden gem' score. That measurement accounted for the volume of vacation rental stays in the area. A perfect total score is 60 and Ohiopyle took the top spot at 53.11. Pennsylvania was well represented in the great value analysis, with eight other state parks in the commonwealth joining Ohiopyle in the top 100. Among them were Centre County's Bald Eagle State Park and Black Moshannon State Park. The nearly 6,000-acre Bald Eagle State Park in central Pennsylvania offers swimming, fishing, boating, camping and other recreational opportunities in Howard. The park opened a new camping loop earlier this year. Bald Eagle ranked at No. 45 in the HomeToGo index with high marks for size and hidden gem score. Black Moshannon, in Rush Township, is a bit smaller at around 3,400 acres and includes a 250-acre lake of the same name and wetlands. It is surrounded by Moshannon State Forest. Like Bald Eagle, Moshannon performed best in the HomeToGo ranking when it came to size and hidden gem score, with an overall score of 47.49 of 60. In a post acknowledging Pennsylvania's performance in the index, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said initiatives to support the commonwealth's 124 parks offer 'affordable, accessible, and unforgettable outdoor experiences for everyone.' In addition to state parks, Pennsylvania also has several National Park Service holdings offering recreational opportunities. Pennsylvania's 2025 great value state parks Here's how Pennsylvania's state parks fared in the 2025 HomeToGo State Park Index. The commonwealth tied with Texas and Florida for states with the most parks featured on the ranking. Ohiopyle State Park, ranked No. 1 Caledonia State Park, ranked No. 19 Black Moshannon State Park, ranked No. 24 Cook Forest State Park, No. 26 Worlds End State Park, ranked No. 30 Presque Isle State Park, No. 39 Bald Eagle State Park, No. 45 Parker Dam State Park, No. 56 Cherry Springs State Park, No. 95 Solve the daily Crossword
