Ohiopyle High Bridge

Ohiopyle High Bridge is a former railroad span that stretches across the Youghiogheny River, connecting both sides of the state park with a deck girder structure. It now serves walkers and cyclists traveling along the Great Allegheny Passage trail system.

Built in 1912 for the Western Maryland Railway, this span once carried train traffic across the river. It was later decommissioned and converted into a public pedestrian and bicycle route.

The bridge serves as an observation point where visitors gather to watch kayakers and rafters navigate the class III and IV rapids below.

Access the bridge from the parking area near Route 381 by heading north along the Great Allegheny Passage trail. The span is open year-round to pedestrians and cyclists looking to cross the river safely.

From the bridge's midpoint, you can see both the Railroad Rapids and the winding path of Youghiogheny River Gorge carved through Laurel Ridge. This vantage point reveals the dramatic topography shaped by the river's power over time.

Location: Fayette County

Official opening: 1912

GPS coordinates: 39.87560,-79.49410

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:03