Laurel Caverns - Directions

Driving directions to Laurel Caverns

Because our market runs from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Woodbridge, Virginia and from Parkersburg, West Virginia to New York City it is impossible for us to describe every route here. Here is how you find us:

DO NOT USE MAP QUEST TO FIND "LAUREL CAVERNS"

Use a road atlas or go to an online directional service like Map Quest ONLY to find the directions to Uniontown, Pennsylvania or Farmington, Pennsylvania.
Take note that, if you are coming from Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, New York or Pennsylvania, find the directions to Uniontown, Pennsylvania. If you are coming from either Ohiopyle State Park or Yough Reservoir in Pennsylvania or anywhere in Maryland, Virginia, or Delaware find the directions to Farmington, Pennsylvania.
USE DIRECTIONS BELOW:

From Uniontown, Pennsylvania

Every road approaching Uniontown leads you to the George Marshall Parkway, which is a 10-mile strip of pavement having two route numbers, Route 40 and 119. You want to get on this parkway either entering it at its northern end where it is Route 119 South, or at its middle where it is Route 119 South and Route 40 East, or at its southern end where it is Route 40 east and stay on this parkway going East, past the Hopwood exit, for three miles to the top of Summit Mountain (where you will find the Historic Summit Inn, with its fine accommodations). There you will see a large sign on the right saying, "Laurel Caverns, turn here". Make a right at this sign (which is just a few feet past the entrance to Summit Inn) on to the Skyline Drive and follow this road for five miles to Laurel Caverns. The parking lot and Norman Cale visitors center is in the center of the Geological Park and so you will drive about a mile through the park ground before coming to it.

From Farmington, Pennsylvania

Take Route 40 West for six miles to the top of Summit Mountain (where you will find the Historic Summit Inn and its fine accommodations). There you will see a large sign on the left that says, "Laurel Caverns, turn here". Make a left at this sign on to Skyline Drive and follow this road for five miles to the Laurel Caverns. The parking lot and Norman Cale visitors center is in the center of the Geological Park and so you will drive about a mile through the park grounds before coming to it.

Tips on how to avoid getting lost on your way to Laurel Caverns

Only ask Map Quest for the directions to Uniontown or Farmington. If you make Laurel Caverns the destination, they will route you through Elliotsville and unnecessarily add about fifteen miles to your trip. The Map Quest algorithm assumes a park’s physical address is based on its nearest post office and that the best route is that set of roads most closely following a straight line from the post office to the park. But, a straight line between Laurel Caverns and Farmington overlay a maze of narrow, unmarked, winding mountain roads. The postal service has assigned us a Farmington address, though we’re closer to Uniontown than Farmington. We are eleven miles from Farmington. Our nearest post office is at Chalk Hill.
Do not assume that to change a route number you must take an exit. Uniontown is circled by the George Marshall Parkway, which at its northern end is Route 119 and its southern end is Route 40. In fact, those taking Route 119 South, must take an exit to stay on Route 119 and those taking Route 40 West, must take the exit to stay on Route 40. Those traveling 119 South can get on 40 East without even turning their steering wheel.
Never take Route 40 Business Exit! The old Route 40 through downtown Uniontown and Hopwood is still called Route 40 business. So, you have Route 40 West and Route 40 West Business and Route 40 East and Route 40 East Business. The existence of two route 40’s in Uniontown is an ongoing cause of confusion for motorists.