Lick Hollow Picnic Area is one of many gems that we like to frequent in Fayette County, PA.

This picnic area is located in Forbes State Forest. Check out this map and brochure for more information from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

I’ve explored here a bit and am here to share some of the things I’ve learned, but there’s still a lot here I have yet to explore.

Entrances

The park in general is open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day and there are two ways to enter.

Main Entrance

The main entrance is located just off the Historic National Road. Heading east on Route 40 going up the mountain from Uniontown or Hopwood, there is a large sign marking the main entrance on the right (after the Historic Stone Chimneys and before the Scenic Overlook and Historic Summit Inn).

Make the right-hand turn at the sign and pull down into the park about 0.5 miles to available parking near multiple picnic areas.

Back Entrance

Thanks to a trail added by South Union Township, there is another option to enter the park if you want to add an exercise component, what we tend to call the “back way.” The last time we visited, we walked and pushed a double stroller while my almost 5-year-old son rode his bike.

The trailhead has just a few parking spots available and is located at the end of Buttermilk Lane as it turns into Lick Hollow Road.

There are no restrooms at this back entrance trailhead. But there are restrooms available in the picnic area open seasonally.

As for this back entrance trail, the trail is about 1 mile long (one way). The trail is generally uphill on the way in and downhill on the way out at times leveling out.

There are parts that are gravel where my son needed to push his bike and the stroller took some extra effort. And there is a large paved section.

Here is a breakdown of our walk up the back way.

Amenities

I imagine the most popular activity in the park is picnicking. It’s a great place for a summer family picnic. Check out some of my recipes for things I often pack for our picnics including Pepperoni Rolls, Peanut Butter Energy Balls, and Easy DIY Trail Mix.

There are lots of picnic areas and charcoal grills including one covered pavilion. A large open space in the middle is a nice spot for maybe bringing some yard games (e.g. corn hole, can jam, etc.) or tossing a frisbee for example. I’m curious if there are some spots to hang a hammock as well.

If we are fortunate to have had enough rain, a creek runs through that the kids love to play in and look for crayfish. With all the shade and potential water flowing through, it’s a nice spot to beat the heat in the summer.

The park has additional hiking trails in this park as well. I have explored the Nature Trail and Poplar Loop here before, but I’m not recalling all the details at this time. Other trails I have yet to explore are the hike up to Pine Knob and the Whitetail Trail. Refer to the map for more information.

Planning Your Visit

Here are some tips I think are worth sharing when planning a visit:

  • Trash – Unfortunately, to my knowledge, there are no available trash cans and no trash pickup. So be sure to remember to pack your own garbage bags and take your trash out with you when you leave.
  • Bug Spray – In the summertime, I would definitely suggest bringing bug spray.
  • Open to Hunting – While the gates are closed in the off-season, I think you can still recreate in here without driving in. If you do, please be mindful that this area is open to hunting, and wear bright orange.
  • PA State Parks and State Forests Passport – I love tracking our travels with passports and there is a nice one available for PA State Parks and State Forests. Passports can be purchased online, or likely available for purchase in a visitor center at a state park near you. If you are visiting Lick Hollow and looking to purchase a passport, they are available at the visitor center at Ohiopyle State Park. There isn’t a stamp for Lick Hollow, but there is one for Forbes State Forest. I’m not exactly sure where to get the stamp for Forbes State Forest, so I went ahead and requested it in the mail using the same method I use to track down my National Park Passport stamps. Check out a separate post I created, National Park Passport Overview and What To Do When You Miss Your Stamp.
  • Nearby Attractions – There are tons to explore nearby in the Laurel Highlands (see some suggestions below).
  • State Flower – After being on the lookout for a few years, I’ve only recently found our state flower for the first time, the Mountain-laurel. I hear this flower can be found in the park, but I’m not exactly sure where. The Mountain-laurel blooms in late May-early June.

Nearby Attractions

I hope you found this helpful. If you visit Lick Hollow Picnic Area, leave a comment or tag me on Instagram (@adventureswkelly). I want to see and hear about your adventure in Lick Hollow.