General Information and Location - Indiana County Parks and Trails

General Information and Location:
This 48 acre site is located two miles south of Clyde in West Wheatfield Township. Buttermilk Falls features
a 45-foot waterfall, mature woodland, a wide variety of wildflowers, and historic remains.
The property was donated to Indiana County Parks in January, 1996 by the Keystone-Conemaugh Group,
owners of the nearby Conemaugh Generating Station.
Purpose of a Natural Area:
Natural areas are set aside to protect both typical and unique plant and animal communities and to protect
outstanding examples of natural interest and beauty. Buttermilk Falls and the Blacklick Valley Natural Area are
the first formally established natural areas in the county park system. These areas are in direct support of the
mission of the county park system that includes, “preserving, protecting, and enhancing county lands to improve
the health of our people and the environmental health of the county.”
Geology:
Waterfalls the scale of Buttermilk Falls are uncommon in western Pennsylvania. Falls occur when a stream
wears away an easily-eroded layer of rock, but then encounters a resistant layer. The resistant layer erodes at a
slower rate than the surrounding rock, forming a waterfall. At Buttermilk Falls, a resistant layer of sandstone
underlays easily-eroded shale.
Buttermilk Falls is in the Hires Run valley. Hires Run is a tributary to the Conemaugh River.
Historic Remains:
Several stone foundations and retaining walls are visible at the site. These are the remains of Fred McFeely’s
summer estate. McFeely was an industrialist from Latrobe, PA who owned the property from 1930 to 1956.
During McFeely’s tenure, the property featured a large house, horse stables, a three-car garage, outbuildings,
and a swimming area in the creek above the falls.
Fred Rogers, creator and host of public television’s “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood”, was McFeely’s grandson.
Rogers made many childhood visits to Buttermilk Falls.
Facilities:
In keeping with the intention of a natural area, development of the Buttermilk Falls site is limited. A
restroom, small pavilion, picnic tables, accessible pathway to the falls observation deck and a hiking trail are
available at the site.
Hours:
The Buttermilk Falls Natural Area is open to the public from 8 AM to sunset.
Buttermilk Falls Regulations:
1.Camping and campfires are not allowed.
2.Keep pets on a leash and under control.
3.Do not disturb wildlife or plants.
4.Please do not litter.
5.Off-road vehicles are not permitted.
6.Alcoholic beverages prohibited.
7.Swimming or wading is not permitted.
8.Observe park hours.
9.Obey all safety zones.
10.Do not cross gates or fences.
For additional information, contact:
Indiana County Parks
1128 Blue Spruce Rd.
Indiana, PA 15701
(724) 463-8636
Fax: (724) 463-8740
website: www.indianacountyparks.org
Cover Photo by Tom Peel
Rev. 2010
To Punxsutawney
& DuBois
Jefferson County
Old
Trade
Dayton Smicksburg City 210
Park
954
Rossiter
Cavode
Johnsonburg
Juneau
Smicksburg
210
839
Plumville
85
Four
Covered
Bridges
954
To Kittanning
& Butler
210
Armstrong
County
156
Indiana
Parkwood
Avonmore
422
Jacksonville
286
West Penn Trail
Conemaugh Valley Conservancy
Saltsburg
Tunnelton
Home 403
Kintersburg
Bridge
Dixonville
Blue
Spruce
Park
Tanoma
Ernest
Shelocta
110
Thomas 954
Bridge
56
Homer
Hoodlebug City
Clymer
Memorial
Park
Waterworks
Conser vation
Area
Pikes
Peak
Yellow
Creek
State
Park
217
Blacklick
56
22
217
Westmoreland
County
Pine
Ridge
Park
Cherry
Tree
553
Cambria
County
403
Brush
Valley Eliza
Hoodlebug
Extension Ghost Town Trail
Blairsville
286
Ghost Town
Trail
Strongstown
259
Buena
Vista
Furnace
119
119 22
To Greensburg & Pittsburgh
Clearfield
County
119
954
Trail
Tunnelview
Historic Site
Rd
To Clearfield
Marion Center
Harmon 85
Bridge
Five Trusal
210
Points Bridge
Elderton
Creekside
Glen
Campbell
Hemlock
Lake Park
119
Beyer
Willett
Smithport
Rochester
Mills
954
422
Furnace
To Ebensburg
& Altoona
Nanty
Glo
Dilltown
Vintondale
Armagh
Trail Continues
To Ebensburg
8 Miles
Blacklick
Valley
259
Seward 403 Natural
56
Buttermilk
Falls
Area
To Johnstown
& Bedford
Map Revised 3/10
Buttermilk Falls Location Map
Buttermilk Falls Natural Area
Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Directions to Buttermilk Falls Natural Area
Buttermilk Falls is located 2 miles south of Route 22 at
Clyde (one mile west of Armagh). From Clyde, follow
the Clay Pike Road South (TR 716) to Valley Brook
Road (TR 599). Site hours are from 8:00 am to sunset.
website: www.indianacountyparks.org