The Meadow Run Trail in Ohiopyle State Park hosts one of my favorite hikes in the park. The trail features of the most popular features in the park, the Natural Water Slides, and connects to Cucumber Falls.

But further upstream, I love to do a shorter loop hike to The Cascades. It’s one my family has hiked so many times that we started calling it the “Upper Loop.”

This Upper Loop of Meadow Run Trail is of my favorite hikes in the park for a few reasons:

  • less crowded area of the park
  • it’s a loop which is my favorite kind of hike where nothing is repeated
  • lots of features including views of Cascades Waterfall, giant rock formations in the climbing area, beautiful views of Meadow Run, and a nice area to take a break at Flat Rock
  • the roughly 2.2 mile distance feels is a nice distance to feel like you are getting out, but not too long of a hike
  • additional recreational opportunities offered including fishing, rock climbing, and swimming

Checkout the map of Ohiopyle State Park for more information.

Summary

  • Parking – large parking area off of Dinner Bell Road
  • Bathrooms – no bathrooms at trailhead (suggest using bathrooms at the Visitor Center)
  • Difficulty – more difficult hiking per recreational guide. The hike descends a slope, so you’ll have to come back up some way. There are some steep and rocky parts.
  • Distance – 2.2 miles
  • Kids ages – I’ve hiked this trail many times as a family in all seasons. My kids started hiking this trail independently at about 3-4 years old.

Let’s take a closer look at how we do this hike.

Parking and Restrooms

For the loop hike I’m describing, I suggest parking at an alternative parking area further up Meadow Run off of Dinnerbell Road (not at the natural waterslides).

There are no restrooms at this trailhead, so I suggest finding a bathroom before you start your hike, such as inside the Ohiopyle Visitor Center.

Below the parking area are multiple trailhead signs. There is a trailhead to the left side pointing down to the “Slides.” For this upper loop hike, look for the signs to the right.

The Hike

While you could go either direction, we prefer to hike this loop counter-clockwise. To begin the loop counter-clockwise, take the trailhead to the right labeled “Cascades” and “Climbing Area.”

There is a short uphill climb out of the parking area.

Then, the trail begins to level off and then descend down.

Keep following signs for Cascades. You will eventually begin to hear the glorious sound of water flowing.

On the way down, the trail leads to the climbing area with some awesome rock formations.

Not far beyond the climbing area are the Cascades.

There are multiple places to lookout and explore the falls. Depending on water levels you can walk out on the rocks to view the falls. Be careful it can be slippery.

We tend to take a short break at the falls, but we like to take a longer break further down Meadow Run at Flat Rock. To head to Flat Rock, keep following the trail downstream as it parallels Meadow Run.

This section of the trail is beautiful and definitely a popular area for fishing. You might spot a few trails that lead down to the water. My guess is these are spur trails for fisherman.

Down the stream, you’ll arrive at signs for Flat Rock.

This is a happy place for us and is a great spot to take a break and have snacks. I love to sit for a bit to enjoy the peacefulness of Meadow Run while my kids skip rocks.

In the summer, we love to layout and swim here on a hot day. While the natural water slides down the stream are popular, this area offers a calmer natural water slide for the kids. Check out the water quality before you go, thanks to Mountain Watershed Swimmable Waters.

From Flat Rock, there is an uphill hike back to the parking area.

Parent tip – I always pack a special treat for this uphill part of the hike where I give my kids special treat when they find a trail marker. It works like a charm every time to keep them moving up the hill.

Here is a breakdown of our hike for reference. I hope you go and enjoy this area. Leave a comment or tag me in your adventures on Instagram @adventureswkelly. I want to see or hear about your adventures on the Meadow Run Trail.

Other Hikes

Here are some hikes in Ohiopyle:

Other nearby favorites: