Nature carved a 100-foot waterslide out of solid sandstone at Ohiopyle — and it's free. Here's exactly how to find Meadow Run, when to go, and how to slide it safely.
Ask anyone who grew up around Ohiopyle for their favorite summer spot and you'll hear the same two words: Meadow Run. Over thousands of years, the creek has scoured a series of smooth, twisting chutes through the sandstone bedrock — a genuine, nature-made waterslide that ends in a cool collection pool. It's one of the most beloved free attractions in the whole Laurel Highlands, and it's about 15 minutes from our Hidden Valley cabins.
Where it is (and where to park)
The Natural Waterslides sit about a half-mile south of downtown Ohiopyle, near the intersection of Main Street (Route 381) and Ohiopyle Road. There's a modest parking lot — room for roughly 20 cars, so it fills up fast on hot July and August weekends. From the lot, a wooden staircase drops down the hillside straight to the water. Go early (before 11am) or later in the afternoon to dodge the midday crush.
How to actually slide it
You sit down in the streambed and let the current carry you through about 100 feet of polished rock into the pool below. A few hard-earned local tips:
- Wear sturdy water shoes. The rock is slick even where you're just standing — flip-flops won't cut it.
- Watch the water level. After heavy rain the flow turns genuinely dangerous; in a dry spell it can be too low and scrapey. The middle ground — a normal summer flow — is perfect.
- There are no lifeguards and no restrooms at the slides. Supervise kids closely, and life jackets are smart for weaker swimmers.
Check current conditions with the park before you go — Ohiopyle State Park's site (ohiopyle.org) and the Pennsylvania DCNR (pa.gov/dcnr) are the reliable sources.
Make a day of it
Meadow Run pairs perfectly with the rest of Ohiopyle: Cucumber Falls is a two-minute drive, the Ferncliff Peninsula trails loop around the river, and downtown has ice cream and outfitters. Slide in the morning, raft the Yough in the afternoon, and you've got a classic Laurel Highlands summer day.
Then come back to a hot tub, a hot shower, and a full kitchen. Our South Ridge and Kooser cabins put you minutes from Ohiopyle with room for the whole crew — see all four homes and book direct to skip the platform fees. For the full regional rundown, the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau at GoLaurelHighlands.com is your best planning partner.
