Thomas Covered Bridge

Wild Phlox

Hemlock Lake Kayaker

Eliza Furnace at the Ghost Town Trail

Spring Ride on the Ghost Town Trail

Black-throated Green Warbler

A photo by Roger Higbee of a Black-throated Green Warbler. Blue Spruce Park is an excellent location to observe the annual warbler migration.

Hoodlebug Trail Extension

The Hoodlebug Trail Extension is located between Rose Street (where the rail trail ends) and South 8th Street in Indiana Borough. The extension is a singed bike route that passes through the IUP campus. This photo was taken near the IUP C0-Op Store and the Student Union.

Blue Spruce Park Artwork by Rebecca Sterley

Rebecca Sterley is a friend and local artist who creates wonderful posters for us. The posters are three dimensional and the photo does not do justice to the detail that the posters include. If you are inside the Blue Spruce Lakeside Center someday you can check out Rebecca's talented work.

Harmon Covered Bridge in Early Spring

Wehrle's Salamander

Ramps - A Spring Tonic

Ramps are known as the spring tonic and for some people an acquired taste. They are found in damp soil areas. If picking ramps you should always not over pick and leave some for the next year's crop.

Family Visit to the Eliza Furnace

Marsh Marigold

North Branch of Blacklick Creek

The Rexis Branch of the Ghost Town Trail follows the North Branch of Blacklick Creek.

Beaver Pond Along the Ghost Town Trail

Trout Lily

Amish Fishing Day at Hemlock Lake

Spotted Salamander

Marsh Marigold Blooming

West Penn Trail Bridge

The West Penn Trail is managed by the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy. This large bridge over the Conemaugh River is located not far from Newport Road. The bridge was disassembled in West Virginia and moved to this location.

Vintondale Mine #6 Miners

Etched into granite at the portal of the former Mine #6 in Vintondale along the Ghost Town Trail are images of miners who once worked in the coal mine there.

Ice Fishing at Blue Spruce Lake

The winter of 2019-2020 has been extremely mild. So mild that ice fishing has not been possible.

Claghorn History

Self-Guided Hike

At the Blacklick Valley Natural Area visitors can take a self-guided hike to points of interest on the property. A trail brochure is available at the kiosk at the parking area on McFeater's Road.

Winter Sunsirse at Blue Spruce Park

Tom's Run on a Winter Day

Pine Ridge Park's Tom's Rn is a scenic little stream that flows through the park day use area.

Daily Walks in Nature

Our parks and trails offer inviting places for your daily walk in nature regardless of the time of year.

Blue Spruce Park Road

The winding road through Blue Spruce Park is a popular walking route for our visitors who circle the park. The distance around the park loop is almost two miles.

Bat Box at Hemlock Lake

Two bat boxes were constructed and installed at Hemlock Lake in December 2019 by Hunter Berg for Hunter's Eagle Scout project. Hunter also placed a bat box at Trusal Covered Bridge.

Stony Run on the Hoodlebug Trail

Mahoning Dam

After Mahoning and Little Mahoning Creek travel through Indiana County they end up just over the county line in Armstrong County. The dam here was constructed in 1941. It's 926 feet in length and 162 feet in height. The dam was one of 13 dams constructed by the Army Corps to prevent flooding in Pittsburgh.

Winter Solstice at BVNA

Last Run of the Hoodlebug

The last run of the Hoodlebug on the Pennsylvania Railroad in Indiana County occurred on April 18, 1940. Sixty years after the last run the rail line was converted to the Hoodlebug Trail. The photo is from the archives of the Indiana Gazette.