Winter Cycling on the Ghost Town Trail

With the proper clothing and the right conditions, it is possible to cycle on the GTT during the winter months.

Memorial Park - January 5, 2021

Indiana County's Buttermilk Falls December 23, 2020

Winter Solstice 2021

The winter solstice of 2021 included snow and grey skies. A few days prior to this photo being taken we received 14 inches of snow at Blue Spruce Park.

Memorial Park in Winter

Memorial Park in Indiana Borough is a county park. During winter snows our crew maintains the sidewalks to allow for safe passage through the park.

Cummings Dam Reflections

Sugar maple trees reflect on the waters of cummings Dam in this December 2020 photo.

Hiking at the BVNA

The Blacklick Valley Natural Area has 6 miles of hiking trails suitable for hiking in all seasons.

A Wedding in Your Future?

Our parks and park facilities are often used as settings for small weddings and photo opportunities.

Info on Trout Fishing in Vintondale

Not many people would have believed a few decades ago that it would be possible to fish for trout in Blacklick Creek but thanks to improving water quality trout fishing is now a reality. This message board at the Vintondale trailhead provides details on the Vintondale Trout Club.

Family Hike on the Hoodlebug Trail - October 2020

Ghost Town Trail - PA's Trail of the Year for 2020

Trail Marker on the C&I Extension

Blacklick Creek Rapids

The rapids of Blacklick Creek are found along the Ghost Town Trail between Heshbon and Saylor Park.

Final Fall Colors at Eliza Furnace

Turkeys Crossing the Road

Purple Paint

Purple paint is now used in Pennsylvania to indicate that a property is posted.

The Scott Glen Cut

In 1903 the Ebensburg & Blacklick Railroad established this cut through the rocky hillside for their trains to travel through. Today it is a popular part of the Ghost Town Trail.

Fall Scene at Memorial Park

Photo from October 23, 2020.

The Garden at Old Smicksburg Park

Entering Blue Spruce Park

The Bridges of Tunnelview Historic Site

Hoodlebug Trail Rest Stop

Autumn 2020

We expect this year to be a good year for fall foliage color.

Hoodlebug Trail Guideline

Bottled Gentian

Stopping at the Eliza Furnace on the Ghost Town Trail

A Gem of a Place

Pine Lodge at Pine Ridge Park.

Great Map at Ghost Town Trail

The Great Map is found along the Ghost Town Trail in Vintondale.

Trail of Year Celebration

DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn speaking at the 2020 Trail of the Year Event on September 2, 2020.

A Better Future

These interpretive signs describe the planned installation of a mine water treatment plant that the PA DEP will construct in 2021 with a planned opening in 2022. When in operation the plant will treat mine water to restore 23 miles of Blacklick Creek.

Wehrum Refuse Pile Removal

This marker along the Ghost Town Trail provides a before and after look at the Wehrum bony pile, which was removed and the site restored in 2020.

Hemlock Lake

The drought of the summer of 2020 has caused Hemlock Lake to drop off a good bit from its shoreline.

Hoodlebug Trail - August 12, 2020

Seven miles of the trail recently received a new seal coating to smooth the trail surface.

Buttermilk Falls Photography

This photo of Indiana County's Buttermilk Falls is displayed in the lobby of S&T Bank in downtown Indiana, PA. The falls are one of Indiana County's most frequently photographed places. The photo dates from several years ago.

Smicksburg Farm Scene

Amish farmers have recently been harvested oats. This was the scene on McCormick Road just outside of Smicksburg on August 4, 2020.

Monarch Caterpillar

Early August is when we start to see Monarch Caterpillars on milkweed. This generation on caterpillars is the one that will begin their journey to Mexico after they emerge as butterflies.

Northern Dusky Salamander Nesting

Female Northern Dusky Salamanders stay with their young until they hatch.