Triple Creek Cottage is nestled in a small wooded valley in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania and centrally located to year-round outdoor activities. Our idyllic community borders Laurel Hill Creek, a 40-mile long tributary of the Casselman River and part of the Youghiogheny River watershed. The section of Laurel Hill Creek near Triple Creek Cottage is popular with anglers and part of a 16-mile Class II+ water trail, so bring your kayaks!

Make sure your GPS is pre-programmed! This is rural Pennsylvania and you likely will lose cell phone service driving through this area of the Laurel Highlands. Triple Creek Cottage is 1.5 hours from Pittsburgh International Airport and 25 minutes from the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Donegal or Somerset by car.

Champion, Pennsylvania

Nearby Attractions:

SEVEN SPRINGS MOUNTAIN RESORT – The cottage is only a 5-mile or 10-minute drive to Seven Springs, a primary draw for many to the area. In the winter the resort offers 33 trails, parks and pipes for skiers and snowboarders; also snow tubing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing and sleigh rides for outdoor winter fun. Purchase your Adventure Pass for access to much of what the resort has to offer in summer. (The Alpine Slide is our favorite!) There is also the Alpine Tower, stand-up paddle boarding and paddleboats on the lake, mini golf, bowling, indoor and outdoor pools and more. The resort boasts a premier Sporting Clays facility and golf course. Be sure to check out their website for current activity offerings. Seven Springs is a partner to two additional nearby ski resorts: Hidden Valley Resort (10 miles) and Laurel Mountain Ski Resort (25 miles).

 

LAUREL HILL STATE PARK – Less than 2 miles away is the entrance to Laurel Hill State Park. In summer, relax on the beach and swim or kayak in the lake. In winter, borrow our sleds for some night sledding under the lights. Go fishing in the lake or creeks. Grab your bikes or put on your running or hiking shoes and pick up the Lake Trail 1.5-miles down Triple Creek Road from the cottage. Our neck of the woods offers lots of year-round outdoor fun!

WHITEWATER – Triple Creek Cottage is 20 miles from Ohiopyle State Park and the Lower Yough, one of the best-known whitewater runs in the eastern U.S. If you are visiting in summer, it could be the Youghiogheny River that brings you here. The river provides whitewater paddling opportunities for all abilities; Upper Yough dam release days for Class IV and V adventurers, the Middle Yough for Class I and II family floats, and the Lower Yough in Ohiopyle for Class II – IV whitewater fun. Book a rafting or kayaking trip with a local outfitter. Or bring your own creek boat, river runner or play boat to run the Loop.

HIKING – So much hiking for all abilities! Nearby Laurel Hill State Park has 15 miles of trails that connect to the Laurel Highlands Trail, a 70-mile hiking trail that stretches along Laurel Mountains from the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle State Park to the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown, OH. Just 30 minutes away is Ohiopyle State Park, with 79 miles of hiking trails. Cucumber Falls and the Meadow Run Natural Waterslides are a must for a day hike with family and friends. 

MOUNTAIN BIKING – Local shops and Seven Springs resort offer mountain bike rentals, or bring your own to ride the resort's cross-country trails. Many of the local state parks’ hiking trails are also mountain bike friendly. For more serious rides, head to Ohiopyle for everything from flowy single-tracks and technical rock features to lung-busting climbs and bone-rattling descents. Ohiopyle offers loop options for riders of all skill levels.  

FISHING - Fishing is a BIG DEAL around here! Folks reserve spots early along Laurel Hill Creek for opening day (first Saturday after April 11th), aka Fishing Day.  We often see fly fishermen down in the creek. I expect we'll be taking up fishing as we spend more time at the cottage.

GOLF - Admittedly we don't golf, but we would be remiss to not mention this popular pastime. We've been to King's Mountain Golf Course while visiting Vin de Matrix Winery, so that one has our vote simply because: winery. The nearest golf course is at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. And just over a mile from the cottage is PH's Golf Driving Range (seasonal).

WINERIES and RESTAURANTS – Take in the mountain views and spend an afternoon relaxing at two popular Laurel Highlands wineries. Triple Creek Cottage is just a 10-minute drive from GLADES PIKE WINERY and 15-minutes from VIN DE MATRIX WINERY. Enjoy a meal on the deck overlooking the Laurel Highland Mountains at our favorite, OUT OF THE FIRE CAFE, 20-minutes away. Seven Springs resort is home to restaurants and bars, but we particularly like the resort’s HIGHLANDS MARKET, which makes great sandwiches for picnicking at Laurel Hill Lake Beach. A must is MOO ECHO DAIRY for pies, sandwiches, salads and, of course, ice cream. (The ham salad is delicious!) For a truly special dining experience, book a SUNSET DINNER TOUR at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, just 20-miles away. But make your reservations early!