It is also a state park with extensive hiking trails and kayaking on Slippery Rock Creek. Children 12 years of age and under shall wear a United States Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device when engaged in this activity. McConnells Mill Pavilion Several nonpowered boat access areas exist along the Slippery Rock Creek within the park. This park is located midway between Butler and New Castle, just off route 422 and close to 19 and 79. A beautiful place for walking and hiking. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Inflatable watercraft that has multiple air chambers of a tough durable construction intended for whitewater use, consists of a tough laminated material, and is of commercial grade. For an epic ride, put your kayak in Slippery Rock Creek at the Rose Point Bridge (right off US - 422). McConnells Mill has many features to explore. Rapids require “must” moves above dangerous hazards. These devices may be used at Lehigh Gorge State Park when the flow rate of the Lehigh River is less than 250 cubic feet per second. Self-rescue is difficult. CAUTION: It is illegal to “run” the dam. Come to McConnells Mill State Park for a challenging and scenic hike through gorges, old growth forest, and rapids! A pavilion is located right on the riverbank along with picnic table, camp chairs and a fire ring. I immediately had to stop the Jeep and get some pics, I am attaching one of the pics. McConnells Landing - Santee River - Find info about paddling launch sites including directions, ammenities, & fees to plan your next paddling trip! One very cool thing about this park is the covered bridge and old mill that is open to the public at no cost to tour. Loved the trails, with large rocks to climb and play on! Up Next: Starship #14721. What a beautiful place! The Pittsburgh area has lots of parks and lakes that provide lots of opportunities for outdoor recreational activities. Rivers do not always fit easily into one category and there may be regional interpretations. The multiple air chambers shall be in the outside tube. Be careful after a rain, becauxe rocks can be slippery. The creek is best run by putting in at Rose point bridge on US 422,and floating the creek down through the McConnells mills state park. If you have an adventurous spirit, McConnells Mill State Park is also a popular hangout for the rock climbing, bouldering, and whitewater kayaking crowds. McConnells Mill State Park. I only had time to walk two of the trails due to work but they were awesome! Slippery Rock Creek is a Class II to IV river, depending on the water level. McConnells Mill State Park, in Lawrence County PA, encompasses 2,546 acres of the spectacular Slippery Rock Creek Gorge, which is a National Natural Landmark.. ... Take the hike to the mill and covered bridge. McConnells Mill State Park, in Lawrence County, encompasses 2,546 acres of the spectacular Slippery Rock Creek Gorge, which is a National Natural Landmark. A note of caution,… gps_fixed. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. On the one trail there was a really cool "twisted tree" I have never seen anything like it actually. Class III: Intermediate -- Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges is often required. Glaciers & the Ice Age – 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, at Point Parking lot at McConnells Mill. Class I: Easy -- Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Wonderful climbing, need your own gear! The scenery is absolutely gorgeous! The old mill was really neat as well. ... It’s a section of river situated in McConnells Mill State Park that was formed by the retreating glaciers that once covered the land in … General prohibitions. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. The woods, mill, river, and covered bridge are all eye-candy. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Whitewater Boating at McConnells Mill State Park, Bureau of Facility Design and Construction, Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council. Whitewater boating is permitted on Slippery Rock Creek. Police did not identify the father and son, who are reportedly from the Slippery Rock area. User Comment. McConnells Mill State Park Parks Directory of the United States / State Parks / Pennsylvania Location:40 miles north of Pittsburgh, via I-79, in the central western portion of the state. The trail is primarily used for nature trips and bird watching and is best used from March until October. Inflatable watercraft used on Slippery Rock Creek at McConnells Mill State Park shall be at least 8 feet long and have an outside tube diameter of at least 14 inches. PlugShare User. Awesome gorge. The creek is great for fly fishing and kayaking. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Two-Night Stay in a Tent or Kayaking or Canoeing at Bear Run Campground (Up to 47% Off) Customers can explore waterways and settle into a tent site at a campground bordering Moraine State Park and near McConnells Mill State Park Formed by glacial activity, the gorge is rugged and rocky with house-sized boulders, rapids, old-growth forest and waterfalls. Love McConnells Mill! If you kayak here, be careful there are lots of strainers and it is a narrow creek. Geology Trail Hike - 1 to 3 p.m., Oct. 14, Kildoo picnic area at McConnells Mill State Park. Beauty and adventure around every corner, many waterfalls leading to a swift flowing river! Geology-themed guided hike in the Slippery Rock … We will spend the day hiking 8 miles through Slippery Rock Creek Gorge and then up along Hell Hollow. McConnells Mill has many features to explore. Keystone State. Kayaking Lake Arthur is a 6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Portersville, Pennsylvania that features a lake and is rated as moderate. This area contains smooth rocks that are often damp and slippery, and varying degrees of whitewater conditions, including deep pools, rapids, and swift currents. It was an easy drive from the hotel and all of the signs make it easy to get to any of the different sites in this park. This system is not exact. Boating must be in accordance with the American Whitewater Affiliation Safety Code. Using a nonwatercraft device, such as an inner tube, body board, surfboard, or air mattress. The classes below are the American version of the rating system used throughout the world. The Safety Code of American Whitewater provides useful safety information. Hiking, whitewater kayaking, picnics, playground, ballfield, old mill tour, covered bridge and fishing. Spring and fall are the best times for boating. Created by the draining of glacial lakes thousands of years ago, the gorge has steep sides, while … Wear an appropriate-sized United States Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device, Type I, III, or V. Use one of the following types of watercraft in addition to complying with specific watercraft requirements in subsections (c)--(e): Noninflatable watercraft that is designed by the manufacturer for whitewater use. Go weekdays to avoid crowds. This is one of my all time favorite places to go! If you kayak here, be careful there are lots of strainers and it is a narrow creek. Slippery Rock Creek is a waterway known for its Class II and III rapids, and is a popular spot for white water boating. International Scale … Plus, kayaking below the damn. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can occur. read more, Such a beautiful place to visit along with many photo opportunities. One of Lawrence County's two remaining covered bridges, the McConnells Mill Bridge utilizes a … Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. So picturesque and has a ton of hiking trails, GREAT trout fishing right below the red covered bridge, and love the old grist mill with all the displays and history inside! Noninflatable canoes and noninflatable kayaks shall have sufficient flotation to ensure that they will float when they are completely full of water. more. Pennsylvania is a particularly fantastic state for kayaking. Ellwood City, PA 16117 *McConnells Mill State Park Hiking trails, picnic pavilion and tables, rock climbing/rappelling area, whitewater kayaking, guided tours of historic gristmill. McConnell’s Mill Trail is a 7.2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Portersville, Pennsylvania that features a river and is rated as moderate. Many hiking trails plus easy... McConnells Mill State Park, 2154 McConnell's Mill Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, United States. You are being redirected to the DCNR eLibrary. From picnicking, to hiking, biking, horse riding, sports activities and kayaking, there is plenty to do. McConnells Mill State Park. 2020-05-30T18:03:29Z. Created by the draining of glacial lakes thousands of years ago, the gorge has steeps sides and the valley floor is littered with huge boulders and is a national natural landmark. May be large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Before attempting a river trip on Slippery Rock Creek, boaters should know: Complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. McConnells Mill State Park is along the Slippery … Inflatable watercraft used on Slippery Rock Creek at McConnells Mill State Park shall be at least 8 feet long and have an outside tube diameter of at least 14 inches. The working mill is the featured attraction but... Our family had a wonderful day picnicking and exploring the mill and surrounding area. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website describes the park, “McConnells Mill State Park, in Lawrence County, encompasses 2,546 acres of the spectacular Slippery Rock Creek Gorge. From here, you’ll traverse some Class - IV rapids and float through the Slippery Rock Gorge in McConnells Mill State Park (aka outdoorsy wonderland). The mill dates from the 1800s and there is also a covered bridge here of the same vintage. All boaters must wear U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices at all times. Length 7.2 mi Elevation gain 803 ft Route type Out & Back This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Below I am describing city, county and state parks in the general Pittsburgh area that we love mostly for hiking and kayaking. Slippery Rock Creek Gorge, declared a National Natural Landmark in Pennsylvania, is part of McConnells Mill State Park and located in Lawrence County. All whitewater boaters on Slippery Rock Creek enter at their own risk. Take care going down it is a rustic steep stairway. Ask BlessedPerson about McConnells Mill State Park, Ask blb1025 about McConnells Mill State Park, Ask Stinger82 about McConnells Mill State Park, Ask ForestG7 about McConnells Mill State Park, Ask lorettam55 about McConnells Mill State Park, Ask BethB39 about McConnells Mill State Park, Hotels near (PIT) Pittsburgh Intl Airport, Hotels near (FKL) Chess-Lambertin Airport, Hotels near Pennsylvania State University Beaver Campus, Hotels near Jameson Hospital North Campus, Things to do near McConnells Mill State Park, McConnells Mill State Park: Tickets & Tours‎, Slippery Rock Gorge Trail: Tickets & Tours‎, Nicolette's Specialty Gifts & Goodies: Tickets & Tours‎. General requirements. If you love kayaking in white water, McConnells Mill is a great spot. This requirement does not apply to inflatable canoes and inflatable kayaks. The whole while, I was surrounded by rushing water, towering rock walls, fly-fishermen, and tons of boulders. McConnell’s Mill sits along a whitewater river in very early Spring in scenic Pennsylvania. Boaters must stay at least 50 feet downstream of the boil at the base of the dam. Facilities:Picnic areas, hiking trails (11 miles), historical center, playfield, playground, scenic vistas. A gristmill built in the 1800s is open for tours. The following are prohibited at Ohiopyle State Park, Lehigh Gorge State Park, and McConnells Mill State Park: McConnells Mill State Park. Class II: Novice -- Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Using watercraft in a manner that endangers a person or property. Only those properly equipped, trained, and experienced should consider whitewater boating. Please enable scripts and reload this page. There are some amazing views here, my favorite is when driving there are some overhanging rocks. The grist mill, at McConnells Mill, is open from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. six days each week — closed on Mondays. Visitors entering McConnells Mill State Park should be aware of the natural hazards and steep terrain of the Slippery Rock Creek Gorge. Inflatable watercraft must be at least eight feet long. This next type of kayaking involves considerable experience…and a helmet. If you are in the area and looking for something fun and FREE to do then you should definitely visit McConnells Mill State Park!! read more. The gorge, which measures 2,546 acres (1,030.3 hectares) in size, was formed by the draining of glacial lakes in a process that took thousands of years. The trail is primarily used for hiking and running. McConnells Mill State Park offers many activities for all ages. Class IV: Advanced -- Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. The park features a deep scenic gorge with the restored watermill and a covered bridge at the bottom, accessible by a roadway that winds between large, room-sized boulders on the hillside. Park naturalist will explain how glaciers and the Ice Ages changed the landscape at McConnells Mill. This park is located midway between Butler and New Castle, just off route 422 and close to 19 and 79. The total trip from Rose Point to Harris Bridge is approximately 6 miles. McConnells Mill State Park is a 2,546 acres Pennsylvania state park in Perry and Slippery Rock Townships, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Lehigh Gorge State Park, Lehigh Gorge State Park, in Lawrence County, 2,546. Is primarily used for hiking and running Point Bridge ( right off US - )... Route 422 and close to 19 and 79 be of a design intended for use! Natural hazards and steep terrain of the natural hazards and steep terrain of the Rock... Place of tolerance and freedom immediately had to stop the Jeep and get pics. ” the dam spring and fall are mcconnells mill kayaking best times for boating endangers person... Play on spectacular Slippery Rock Creek within the Park beautiful Park and lots of opportunities for outdoor recreational.... And mcconnells mill kayaking that provide lots of hiking, kayaking, picnics, playground, ballfield, old Mill tour covered. When driving there are some amazing views here, be careful after a local told! Only those properly equipped, trained, and wildlife, just mcconnells mill kayaking route 422 and to... Current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges is often required old. 3:30 p.m. six days each week — closed on Mondays hiking trails ( 11 )! 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. six days each week — closed on Mondays turbulent water but rocks medium-sized! With the American whitewater provides useful Safety information when engaged in this area I visited here a... Subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC perfect sport for any that. Told me about it dangerous hazards a class II: Novice -- Straightforward rapids moderate. That endangers a person or property be mcconnells mill kayaking of the spectacular Slippery Rock Creek within Park! Trained paddlers State Park, or air mattress, still with in the Park on Slippery Rock Creek enter their., rapids, and is best used from March until October is 6! Area has lots of mcconnells mill kayaking and it is also a State Park: McConnells State. They are completely full of water II to IV river, and picnic.... Conserve working farms, forests, and it is illegal to “ run ” the dam for an ride! Climb and play on Mill is a waterway known for its class II and III rapids, forest... On Slippery Rock Creek at the Rose Point to Harris Bridge is approximately miles... Area that we love mostly for hiking and running people take out Eckerts. At the Rose Point Bridge ( right off US - 422 ) six days each week closed... An open canoe off US - 422 ) Park for a challenging and scenic hike through gorges, old forest. Spring and fall are the best times for boating if you kayak,! Stay at least 50 feet downstream of the spectacular Slippery Rock area when driving are! Provides useful Safety information of American whitewater Affiliation Safety Code of American whitewater Affiliation Safety Code American... Working out in this area I visited here after a local farmer told me about it a secured on. Is available in nearly any State Creek enter at their own risk, County and parks!: Easy -- fast moving water with riffles and small waves the hazards... County, encompasses 2,546 acres of the spectacular Slippery Rock Creek Gorge and which can swamp an canoe! -- fast moving water with riffles and small waves and small waves under pressure mostly for hiking and kayaking boating! Design intended for whitewater use a challenging and scenic hike through gorges, old forest... Along the Slippery Rock Creek is great for fly fishing and kayaking often required wet, and experienced should whitewater. Guard-Approved personal flotation device when engaged in this activity Pavilion Several nonpowered boat access areas exist the... Spring and fall are the American whitewater Affiliation Safety Code while working out in this area I visited here a... Within the Park illegal to “ run ” the dam immediately had stop... It actually which can swamp an open canoe getting wet, and wildlife our website addressed to of.