Western Pennsylvania Photo Locations

This page contains recommendations for great shooting locations in western Pennsylvania. Locations may include a brief description of the area, recommended places to visit, times of year to go, lodging, etc. and may include a small image, a map or a web link to the location (i.e. state park).

If you have a favorite place to shoot that you want to share, please contact your Webmaster.

Northwestern Pennsylvania

Presque Isle State Park, Erie County
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/presqueisle.aspx

Best sunsets in the Commonwealth; migratory bird flyway; ice dunes in the winter

Erie Bluffs State Park, Erie County
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/eriebluffs.aspx

Coastal cliffs; ice dunes

Wattsburg Fen Natural Area, Erie County

Orchids and other wildflowers abound. Contact the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for more information

Erie National Wildlife Refuge, Crawford County
www.fws.gov/northeast/erie

Lots of birds and wildlife, including nesting Bald Eagles

Brucker Great Blue Heron Sanctuary, Mercer County

Over 200 Nests—best seen in March before the leaves are on the trees. Contact Thiel College for more information.

Glacial Landscapes North of Pittsburgh

Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area, Butler County

Hundreds of species of spring and summer wildflowers. Contact the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for more information.

McConnell's Mill State Park, Lawrence County
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/mcconnellsmill.aspx

Historic covered bridge; rapids; Slippery Rock Gorge; waterfalls; wildflowers

Moraine State Park, Butler County
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/moraine.aspx

Recreation on a glacial lake; birds and wildflowers abound

The Relict Prairie at Jennings Environmental Education Center, Butler County
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/jennings.aspx

Its unique wildflowers peak in late July and August; Goldfinches and butterflies abound

Laurel Highlands Southeast of Pittsburgh

Ohiopyle State Park, Fayette County
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/ohiopyle.aspx

Waterfalls, wildflowers (including Ferncliff Peninsula Natural Area), white water rafting

Bear Run Nature Reserve, Fayette County
www.paconserve.org/92

PA Scenic Waterway; Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater

Forbes State Forest, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/forbes.aspx

Multiple destinations iInclude a mountain-top bog, scenic overlooks, untamed wilderness, etc.

Hemlock Trail Natural Area in Laurel Hill State Park, Somerset County
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/laurelhill.aspx

400-year-old Eastern Hemlocks overlooking a scenic mountain stream

Other Spots Around the Pittsburgh Area

Trillium Trail (Wildflowers), Allegheny County
www.fox-chapel.pa.us/services_boro_parkland.htm

Go in April when multiple species of its namesake flower bloom by the tens of thousands

Wildflower Reserve at Raccoon Creek State Park,
Beaver County
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/raccooncreek.aspx

Over 700 documented species of plants and flowers

READ: Great Natural Areas in Western Pennsylvania by Stephen J. Ostrander

(Submitted by Greg Funka)