Dafodill Season
Female Spotted Salamander
This female SPotted Salamander was found about 500 feet from a vernal pool. On a warm, rainy night she will emerge and migrate to the pool to mate. Spotted Salamanders can live up to 20 years so she has probably made this journey several times before.
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.
Trilliums in Bloom
Early Spring at Buttermilk Falls
Claghorn History
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.
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.
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.
Buttermilk Falls - December 2019
Our first snowfall of the year creates a wintry scene at the falls.
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.
Daily Walks in Nature
Our parks and trails offer inviting places for your daily walk in nature regardless of the time of year.
Ice Fishing at Blue Spruce Lake
The winter of 2019-2020 has been extremely mild. So mild that ice fishing has not been possible.
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.
Our Books
All of the books shown here are available on our website.
Hoodlebug Trail Bridge at Two Lick Creek
Our Banners
Throughout our bicycle and pedestrian trails you will find these banners.
Witch Hazel in Bloom
Along the Ghost Town Trail the yellow blooms of the Witch Hazel are found in October.
Red-bellied Snake
The non-venomous Red-bellied Snake is found in only a few areas of Indiana County. They are usually identified by their red bellies, although they sometimes have a black belly.
Eliza Furnace Marker
Looking at You
A white-tail deer stops took a look back while we were walking one of the trails at Blue Spruce Park.
Winter Solstice at BVNA
Country Roads
Traveling to our four covered bridges will take you scenic country roads. This scene was taken near the Harmon Covered Bridge.
Fall Starts Here
In Indiana County the Fall season starts in the far northeast corner of the county at Hemlock Lake. Over the next couple of weeks our parks in more southern areas will display their colors also.
The Pond at Pine Lodge
A Touch of Fall
On October 3, 2019 the trees at Blue Spruce Park begin to show a touch of color.
Heading to the Falls
This path at Buttermilk Falls leads to the observation deck and the steps and platforms that take you to the lower falls area.
Buttermilk Falls Pathway
Happy Birthday Mr. Wehrle
October 1st is the birthday of R.W. Wehrle, Indiana County's foremost naturalist and namesake of the Wehrle's Salamander. Mr. Wehrle was born in Indiana, PA on October 1, 1852.
First Sunset of Fall 2019
A brief rainstorm and a late day sunset at Blue Spruce Park on the first day of Fall 2019.
Path to the Pavilion #1
Walk the Labyrinth at Blue Spruce Park
