Laurel Summit State Park, Mountain state park in Cook Township, Pennsylvania, United States
Laurel Summit State Park is a mountaintop park in Pennsylvania, sitting at around 835 meters above sea level on a forested peak in the Laurel Highlands. Narrow trails wind through the woods and lead to open overlooks where visitors can see across the valley below.
The land was heavily logged in the 1800s, and sparks from steam locomotives triggered repeated wildfires that left the hillsides bare for decades. The area was officially designated a state park in 1964, which marked the start of its recovery.
The area takes its name from the wild laurel shrubs that grow here in thick stands and give the mountain its distinctive character. These dense plants form a natural backdrop that surrounds visitors as they move through the park.
The park has picnic tables, restrooms, and a parking area at the junction of Linn Run Road and Laurel Summit Road, which makes it easy to find. Weather on the summit can shift quickly, and the trails are steep in places, so solid footwear is a good idea.
The elevation creates a pocket of cooler air year-round that draws in plants not found in the valleys below, packing several different habitats into a short walk. Visitors who come in summer may notice the temperature drop noticeably as they climb toward the summit.
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