Discover Indiana County

Indiana County combines expansive trails, lakes, and waterfalls with a multifaceted industrial and cultural history. Those looking for a vacation rental for a trip to Pennsylvania can combine different types of vacation days here: paddling and fishing on the water, hikes through wooded areas, historic sites, and museums with a regional focus. The ideal location therefore depends primarily on whether you want to focus on nature, culture, or a varied mix of both.

Trails, Water, and Landscapes

For longer excursions, the Ghost Town Trail is a notable option. The trail is 54 miles long and runs through Indiana and Cambria Counties. As a National Recreation Trail designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, it also represents the history of the rise and decline of the coal and iron industries, working communities, and the return of nature. Shorter is the 10-mile Hoodlebug Trail between Black Lick and Indiana. The West Penn Rail Trail runs between Saltsburg and the trailhead on Newport Road near Blairsville and passes through the Tunnelview Historic Site. Two public parking areas on State Game Lands 328 provide access to the West Penn Trail there.

Further travel ideas open up on the water. The Waterworks Conservation Area has a canoe and kayak launch as well as fishing access to Two Lick Creek. The paddling route to the takeout near Saylor Park is slightly more than 12 river miles long and includes a portage. Yellow Creek State Park covers 2,981 acres and is located along the Kittanning Path. The area includes a sandy beach and the 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake, which is a destination for boaters and anglers. The lake and park also serve as an important resting place for migrating birds.

Shorter nature experiences can also be included in your plans. Buttermilk Falls Natural Area offers a viewpoint overlooking the waterfall, a hiking trail, and a 45-foot waterfall in a wooded landscape. The area protects typical and distinctive plant and animal communities. Blacklick Valley Natural Area has six miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails; hunting, camping, and motorized vehicles are not permitted there. Clark Run Trail is two miles long and leads through Clark Run Gorge past small waterfalls and geological features. Further trails can be found in Pine Ridge Park, which is crossed by Tom’s Run, as well as in Old Smicksburg Park, with trails suitable for hiking, birdwatching, and studying wildflowers.

Industrial History and Cultural Discoveries

Indiana County preserves several reminders of its industrial past. Eliza Furnace is a historic site listed on the National Register and is considered one of Pennsylvania’s best-preserved iron furnaces. Buena Vista Furnace is a 30-foot-high iron furnace that once produced up to 600 tons of iron per year and is now unused. At the Tunnelview Historic Site, visitors can see a 900-foot-long section of the western canal section, a canoe launch, and interpretive exhibits. Tunnelview was the only place along the canal where an aqueduct and a tunnel lay directly next to each other.

In Blairsville, the Blairsville Area Underground Railroad History Center is dedicated to the history of the Underground Railroad. It is housed in the former Second Baptist Church, built in 1917. An ongoing self-guided tour leads to places connected with the Underground Railroad. The History Center is open to visitors on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; presentations and special events are available by appointment. The museum of the Historical & Genealogical Society of Indiana County can be visited free of charge, while the Silas M. Clark House offers tours by prior appointment.

Further cultural attractions include the IUP University Museum in John Sutton Hall, a restored and nationally registered historic landmark dating from 1875, as well as the Jimmy Stewart Museum. Film screenings are shown there daily at 1:00 p.m. in the historic 50-seat cinema. The museum also highlights Jimmy Stewart’s achievements in film, radio, and television. For self-guided discoveries, consider the Potters Tour of ceramic studios in Indiana County. The annual Apple Fest combines demonstrations of apple cider pressing with local vendors and food.

Choose Your Accommodation Based on Your Itinerary

A vacation rental in Indiana County can be particularly useful if you want to combine different ideas for each day. For water-based days, Waterworks Conservation Area and Yellow Creek Lake are the main attractions, while trail and nature days lead to Ghost Town Trail, Blacklick Valley, or Buttermilk Falls. Those with a stronger interest in history can include Tunnelview, the historic furnaces, Blairsville, and the museums in their plans.

Discover More Destinations

If you would like to compare additional destinations for your travel planning, you can also find Creekside here. Further pages lead to Fayette County, McKean County, Bradford County, Armstrong, Clarion County, Berks, and Erie.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pennsylvania.