Laurel Summit State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Laurel Summit State Park is located in the state of Pennsylvania and is a popular destination for visitors.
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Summary
The park offers a variety of activities, including hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Some of the specific points of interest within the park include Laurel Mountain, the Alpine Trail, and the scenic overlooks. Additionally, the park is home to a number of interesting historical sites, including an old fire tower and a CCC camp. Visitors can also enjoy fishing and boating in the nearby streams and lakes.
One of the best reasons to visit Laurel Summit State Park is for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. The park is located in the heart of the Laurel Highlands, which is known for its scenic vistas and outdoor recreation opportunities. The area is also home to a number of quaint small towns and historic sites, making it a great destination for a weekend getaway or longer vacation.
The best time of year to visit Laurel Summit State Park depends on your interests and the activities you plan to participate in. Spring and summer are popular times to visit for hiking and outdoor activities, while fall is a great time to see the changing leaves and enjoy the fall foliage. Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Laurel Summit State Park is an excellent destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of Pennsylvania and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. With its scenic vistas, historic sites, and peaceful atmosphere, it is an ideal location for a weekend getaway or longer vacation.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Kooser State Park
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Laurel Hill State Park
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Camp Ligonier
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Quemahoning Family Rec Area
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Laurel Mountain State Park
Linn Run State Park
Kooser State Park
State Game Lands 042
Natural Area Roaring Run