Indiana County: Nature, Trails and History

Indiana County in Pennsylvania combines lakeside landscapes, distinctive hiking trails and diverse cultural history. Those planning a trip with nature experiences and discoveries will find a variety of highlights here: the 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake, the 54-mile Ghost Town Trail, historic sites and museums with closely connected regional stories. This combination helps you choose the right area for your vacation rental based on your preferred daily rhythm.

Lakes, Waterfalls and Natural Areas

The 2,981-acre Yellow Creek State Park includes the 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake. The lake is used by boaters and anglers; sailboats, motorboats, kayaks, canoes and paddleboards are common on the water. The state park is open daily year-round from sunrise to sunset. Yellow Creek Lake and the park are also an important resting place for migratory birds. Guided outdoor activities, hands-on activities, outdoor education and special events complement the offerings for different age groups.

Another distinctive natural site is the Buttermilk Falls Natural Area. There, a 45-foot waterfall plunges into a picturesque woodland landscape. A viewpoint, hiking trail, small picnic pavilion, restroom and parking area are among the site's described amenities. The area was designated to protect typical and unique plant and animal communities. Buttermilk Falls is also a stop on the Fred Rogers Trail, a regional driving tour with ten stops.

Trails for Active and Historic Days

The Ghost Town Trail runs for a total of 54 miles through Indiana County and Cambria County in Pennsylvania. As a National Recreation Trail of the U.S. Department of the Interior, it combines nature experiences with regional industrial history: The trail conveys the rise and decline of the coal and iron industries, as well as nature's return to the corridor. The 10-mile Hoodlebug Trail runs between Black Lick and Indiana and is designed as a recreational and commuter trail. E-bikes are permitted on the Indiana County section under the regulations applicable there.

Waterways are also available for planning a variety of day-trip ideas. The Waterworks Conservation Area has a canoe and kayak launch, as well as access for fishing on Two Lick Creek. A paddle trip from there to near Saylor Park covers just over 12 river miles and includes a portage. The West Penn Rail Trail passes through the Tunnelview Historic Site and runs between Saltsburg and the trailhead on Newport Road near Blairsville. Depending on your preferred focus, you can make a water excursion, a longer trail distance or a historic site the centerpiece of your day.

History and Culture in Indiana County

The Jimmy Stewart Museum approaches the well-known actor from two perspectives. The Indiana Gallery covers his hometown, early ancestors, childhood and education through Princeton University. The Hollywood Gallery traces his film career through more than 80 films from 1935 to 1991. The UGRR History Center is located in Blairsville in the former Second Baptist Church, built in 1917 and considered the oldest African American church in Blairsville. The center is open year-round in the evenings and on weekends, or by appointment.

Additional historical highlights include Eliza Furnace, a site listed on the National Register and one of Pennsylvania's best-preserved iron furnaces, as well as the Silas M. Clark House from 1869 and 1870. The house is open exclusively for guided tours by prior appointment. At the Armory, the exhibits on the first floor cover the history of Indiana County from its beginnings to the present; the second floor focuses on military conflicts from the French and Indian War through the more recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Smicksburg, more than 20 specialty shops featuring rural handicrafts, quilts, furniture, antiques and food provide another cultural highlight.

The Right Base for Your Trip

When choosing a vacation rental in Indiana County, it is worthwhile to first determine your preferred combination: lake and water activities, trails and landscapes, industrial history, or museums and regional culture. The facilities and attractions offer different highlights, without all experiences being located in the same place. Jimmy Stewart Airport is located at the connection with U.S. Route 119 and State Route 286 and gives travelers access to other communities and neighboring counties. For further orientation, you can also compare Indiana, Monroe, Tippecanoe, Scott, Whitley County, Jay County, Porter and Starke County.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Indiana.