Cedar Creek Park is a Westmoreland County Park. The park is located on the Youghiogheny River with access to the Great Allegheny Passage and offers multiple playgrounds and pavilions, a dog park, events, and more. Visit the website to learn more about what the park has to offer.

During one of our visits to the park, I noticed a hike called Cedar Creek Gorge Trail and we eventually got to check it out. It ended up being a nice family-friendly hike so I’m here to share the details.

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Summary

  • Parking – large trailhead parking area with restrooms
  • Hike – 1.5 miles out and back – flat and easy
  • Kids Ages – 6 years, 4 years, and a year and a half – we carried our baby in an old version of a Kelty child carrier and my oldest two hiked on their own

Parking and Restrooms

After entering the park, follow Evergreen Dr. to the end to a large parking area along the river and the bike trail.

There are several parking spaces and a restroom near the trailhead.

The Hike

Most sources have stated that this hike is a 1.5-mile hike that can either be done as an out-and-back or as a loop hike. We got caught up in some rain so we just did an out-and-back version, turning around at a second suspension bridge.

The trail begins at the end of the parking lot.

You can also see the trailhead from the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail.

The Cedar Creek Gorge Trail begins by passing under the bike trail.

A short distance from the trailhead is the first of two suspension bridges.

The trail is flat and easy and follows Cedar Creek.

We visited in early spring and enjoyed flowing water and plants shooting up. I imagine this trail is beautiful any time of the year. Be sure to wear bright orange if you are visiting in the fall as the area may be open to hunting.

Markers with historical information can be found along the trail…

as well as benches to rest.

When we got caught in rain, my family briefly took shelter in a fun structure we found and then headed back to our vehicle.

I went on to the second suspension bridge since I was the only one in my family who wore a raincoat.

I noticed more trails, but I just did a small loop after the bridge and then headed back on the same trail to help with the kids. I didn’t get a chance to figure out how the trail looped back to the beginning.

I also wanted to figure out if there was a gnome home on this trail like I thought, but I didn’t get a chance to look for it due to the rain and getting separated from my family. A friend of mine shared that it is located up the hill from the first suspension bridge but it can be steep and slippery. I hope to find it next time!

Here is a breakdown of our hike.

There are multiple playgrounds throughout the park but the largest playground (pictured below) is located near the dog park and is worth a stop.

From the trailhead parking area, we have also enjoyed separate bike rides on the GAP, one to West Newton for lunch, and another to The Ruins Project.

I hope you found this information helpful. If you check out Cedar Creek Gorge Trail, feel free to tag me on Instagram (@adventureswkelly) so I can see your adventures.

Other Family Friendly Hikes