HOLIDAYS IN OHIOPYLE, PENNSYLVANIA
CELEBRATE THE SEASON IN THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS
A Different Kind of Holiday Getaway
The holidays feel a little different in Ohiopyle. As fall gives way to winter, the pace slows, the crowds thin and the mountains of the Laurel Highlands settle into a quieter season.
From Thanksgiving through Christmas and New Year’s, Ohiopyle offers a chance to trade some of the holiday rush for waterfalls, winter scenery, small-town charm and time spent outdoors. Explore Ohiopyle State Park, take a scenic drive through the Laurel Highlands, browse local shops or simply enjoy a quieter day surrounded by the mountains.
Whether you’re planning a holiday weekend, looking for a new family tradition or just searching for a reason to get away during the season, Ohiopyle offers something increasingly valuable at the holidays: time and space to enjoy being together.
Thanksgiving in Ohiopyle
Thanksgiving is a natural time to slow down, reconnect and spend a little more time together—and Ohiopyle offers plenty of room to do exactly that.
Late November brings a quieter atmosphere to the Laurel Highlands. Spend part of the holiday weekend exploring Ohiopyle State Park, visit Ohiopyle Falls, take a scenic drive or bundle up for a walk before heading inside for Thanksgiving dinner.
For families and friends looking to create a new holiday tradition, an Ohiopyle Thanksgiving can be less about a packed schedule and more about enjoying the people, scenery and time together.
Christmas in Ohiopyle
Christmas in Ohiopyle is less about bright lights and busy schedules and more about enjoying the season at a slower pace.
Winter scenery transforms the landscape, while downtown Ohiopyle offers a chance to browse local shops and find gifts that feel a little more personal than something ordered online. Add a walk to see Ohiopyle Falls, a drive through the Laurel Highlands or a stop for something warm to eat or drink, and even a simple December day can become part of the holiday experience.
For visitors looking to step away from some of the usual holiday rush, Ohiopyle offers the opportunity to spend Christmas surrounded by mountains, winter scenery and the people you came to enjoy it with.
Start the New Year in Ohiopyle
A new year is a good excuse to get outside, clear your head and start fresh—and winter in Ohiopyle provides plenty of space to do it.
Take a winter walk, visit a waterfall, explore a snow-covered trail or simply enjoy the quieter side of Ohiopyle State Park. Pennsylvania State Parks also traditionally offer First Day Hikes around New Year’s Day, giving visitors another reason to begin the year outdoors.
Snow and weather conditions will determine what you can do, but that is part of experiencing Ohiopyle in winter. Come prepared for the conditions, leave some flexibility in your plans and enjoy a different way to welcome the year ahead.
Things to Do During the Holidays
A holiday visit doesn’t need a complicated itinerary. Some of the best reasons to visit Ohiopyle this time of year are also some of the simplest—winter scenery, time outside and the chance to explore at a slower pace.
See Ohiopyle in Winter
Cold weather can transform some of Ohiopyle’s most familiar landscapes. Visit Ohiopyle Falls, explore the waterways or see how the mountains change as the season moves from late fall into winter.
Explore the Outdoors
Depending on weather and trail conditions, winter can bring opportunities for hiking, sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. It’s a completely different way to experience Ohiopyle State Park and the Laurel Highlands.
Shop & Explore Ohiopyle
Spend some time downtown, browse local shops, find a unique holiday gift or simply see another side of the community beyond its outdoor adventures.
Holiday Events & Seasonal Happenings
The holiday season can bring special events and seasonal activities to Ohiopyle and the surrounding Laurel Highlands.
Past seasons have included holiday markets and community events, while Ohiopyle State Park and other Pennsylvania state parks offer seasonal programs throughout the winter. Around New Year’s Day, First Day Hikes provide another opportunity to start the year outside.
Event dates, locations and activities can change from year to year, so check current event information when planning your holiday visit.
Planning a Holiday Visit
Winter is one of the quieter times to experience Ohiopyle, but it also requires a little more flexibility.
Weather and trail conditions can change quickly in the Laurel Highlands, and some local businesses operate on reduced or seasonal hours during the winter. Check conditions, hours and event information before you travel, and leave room in your plans to adjust if the weather changes.
That slower pace is also part of the appeal. A holiday visit doesn’t need to be packed with activities. Choose a few things you’d like to experience, give yourself time to explore and enjoy Ohiopyle at a time of year many visitors never get to see.
Celebrate the Holidays in Ohiopyle
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s each offer a different reason to get away, but they share something that fits naturally with Ohiopyle: the opportunity to slow down and spend time together.
Come for the mountain scenery, winter waterfalls, outdoor adventures and small-town atmosphere. Stay for the chance to step away from the usual holiday rush and experience the season at a different pace.
Whether Ohiopyle becomes part of a favorite holiday tradition or this is your first winter visit, there’s always more here to discover.