With Labor Day weekend, comes the unofficial end of summer. The school buses once again are on the highways and for many school aged children, back to school is in full swing. This has been a trying time for many parents, and maybe a weekend road trip is just the ticket for some great family memories.
Just south of us right off I-79 in Lawrence County is McConnells Mill State Park. This often overlooked area is 2500+ acres that surrounds portions of Slippery Rock Creek. To find the park, jump on 79 south and take the exit for 422 W (Butler/ New Castle exit) and go until you intersect Route 19. The entrance is only about a half mile past there on the left on McConnells Mill Rd but the signs are easy to overlook so be watching carefully.
There is so much to do in the park itself in just about any season so put it on your list for a return visit to see the fall foliage or the spring flowers. One of my favorite spots for photos is the old gristmill and covered bridge area. There are places to get a great vantage point to have both of them in the picture.
The Mill itself was built and then rebuilt in the late 1800s and is currently open to visit inside on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (Covid 19 restrictions are in place and they do limit to 10 people at a time with proper mask wearing required. They also close from noon to 1pm for lunch and to clean.) Even if the mill is not open however the surrounding area is a great place to walk and explore. Make sure to keep your eyes on little ones because Slippery Rock creek is a swift moving and “Slippery” creek and it is easy to fall in if you are too close or not paying attention. The original rock that gave the creek its name is also located within the park near Armstrong Bridge. There is a natural oil seep near a large sandstone that makes it very “Slippery” and was apparently used to cross the creek by Native Americans back in the day. It was so slick that it gave the creek its name, and also the nearby town of Slippery Rock.
The covered bridge crossing the creek near the mill is one of only two covered bridges in the county and is a registered National Historic Landmark. You can drive your vehicle over the bridge just watch oncoming traffic since it is a one lane crossing.
Nearby Slippery Rock Gorge Natural Area is also a National Landmark and has a great view from Cleland Rock. Be sure that you grab a State Park map at one of the many locations (including one at an information center across the road from the gristmill) The park itself is kind of broken up into parcels so you will need the map to find your way to the different locations.
One location that you have to make the effort to find is Hells Hollow. A 10 or so foot waterfall located near an old limekiln. The walk to the waterfall is only about a half mile give or take from the parking area and a wooden stairway will get you to the falls. It is a must see if you take the trip down and worth the short walk to find.
Possibly my favorite part of the park is the actual drive itself. As you meander on a narrow winding road through the trees and rocks you just can not help but admire the beauty. When I say rock, I don’t mean what we are used to in this area. I mean rocks so large that you actually drive under portions of them and there are pull offs available so that you are able to get out and take photos.
The area is an amazing natural beauty that provides something for everyone on the trip with places for hiking, picnics, fishing, and a playground.
So take my advice and plan a trip. Pack your lunch, grab the kids, get a map and go wander until you find out you are not lost.
As seen in the Meadville Tribune September 14, 2020
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