The Hidden Highlands: The Best Views In Western Pennsylvania?

In this episode, we’re heading back to Pennsylvania for the next chapter in my fall foliage expedition — a series where I’m documenting the best places to experience peak fall color across the Commonwealth.

This adventure takes us to Laurel Summit State Park and the surrounding Forbes State Forest, located in the heart of the Laurel Highlands, one of the most rugged and scenic regions in all of Pennsylvania. This marks State Park #40 documented on the channel.

We’ll be exploring some of western PA’s best vistas, including the overlooks at Wolf Rocks and Beam Rocks, where the views stretch for miles over a sea of autumn color.

We’re also diving into something incredibly rare for Pennsylvania — a high-elevation bog, found in only a few isolated pockets across the state. It’s a unique ecosystem you don’t see every day and a reminder of just how diverse Pennsylvania’s landscapes really are.

If you're into raw terrain, backwoods trails, and the ongoing mission to explore every state park in Pennsylvania, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Thanks for watching and supporting the documentation. Be sure to like, subscribe, and drop a comment sharing your favorite spot in the Laurel Highlands or where you think I should head next.

[dennisfillhart]

Always a pleasure to "hike" along with you.👍

[Dwvideos]

You're really bringing back memories for me It was pouring so hard when I was there but I walked out to that bog anyway. Things that I'll never forget awesome

[WayneOutInTheWild]

I've been there a bunch of times, never saw any snakes - I'm lucky, I suppose.

You weren't wrong about calling it Westmoreland County. Laurel Summit is in Somerset County, but it's on the county line. As soon as you hit the Wolf Rocks Trail, you're in Westmoreland County. Spruce Flats Bog is also Westmoreland County.

Also, I'm surprised you didn't mention the proximity to Linn Run State Park. It's a five minute drive downhill from Laurel Summit through Forbes State Forest. They're so close, I don't know why the DCNR doesn't just merge the parks.

Anyway, I don't mean to critique. Great video, as always, Bill. Keep it up!

[dayhikedave]

Danced around those rocks myself. Luckily we didn't see any snakes😮
Great area. Keep on adventuring 👍🙂🙏

[teresap.]

Love this Bill❤ thx! There's a lot of snakes up there so everyone be careful hiking to the rocks. Hubs saw several copperheads and last yr a rattlesnake right on the path to Wolf rocks. You nailed it Bill! 😊 The worms are called tent worms to us.

[debbiehills]

❤wow bill look at the sunrise and the trees!😊❤ Perfect weather

[buscampers]

Great views. I love cutting up sassafras trees for firewood, it smells like root beer.

[pyraxusthelutarian]

Salutations Bill and happy spring time! I have to admit I was a bit confused at first as I was thinking you were at Laurel Hill state park which is close by and much larger. The Laurel Highlands are ALL amazing in my opinion. Sassafras is also on of my favorites. I have a few small ones at my home that I am encouraging. I find it hard to find many larger ones around my area but there are a couple I've come across. I had always hoped to find some pitcher plants on my hikes since I first learned of them in our area. Searching for them helped me to discover my first Jack in the Pulpit wildflower which I never even knew about and mistook as a type of pitcher plant at first glance. The Wolf Rocks view reminded me a bit of our own local White Rocks outcropping near Fairchance (no not those more famous "white rocks"), also a bit notorious for rattlers. Anyway, thanks my friend for the wonderful presentation and yet another nearby place for me to explore. 🙂

[BrendaKlineOutdoors]

Love how you identify the sassafras tree leaves, now everytime I see them I will think of dinosaurs 🦕 😆 I respect rattlesnakes and know they are valuable to the environment but I prefer NOT to see them while hiking 😂 same with copperheads. I lived in Indiana county for 20 years and came in contact with many copperheads it has given me hyper awareness 😬 at least rattlesnakes will warn you not so much for the copperhead😦 I live in Butler county and have for 18 years and so far haven’t seen the massasauga rattlesnake yet and I’ve hiked all over this county for years🤞🏼 I hope to keep it that way 😅

[Kayte...]

Don't take poisonous snakes too lightly especially around those rocks.
A friend was bit by a rattler hiding under a bush and when she walked past it struck. Her friend took a pic of the snake and the ER doc didn't want to give her the antivenom (because it's expensive) despite having the pic and two puncture marks on her leg. She actually had to call a doc friend to tell the ER doc to administer the serum! She was very sick from the bite and was hospitalized for 3 days. I hope that doc one big reprimand and some education about the risk of snake bites.
I wonder if she had been a he if there would have been any question about it.

[donnasilver]

What else besides stepping on a snake makes them feel threatened???Me andy dog walk alot