Facility Overview
The Northwoods Parking Lot is an open-air surface parking area strategically located off PA-31 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Positioned within the scenic Laurel Highlands region, this parking ground serves as an essential staging area for outdoor recreationists, regional commuters, and visitors traversing between Somerset, Bakersville, and Mount Pleasant. Designed with a wide asphalt and gravel layout, the facility accommodates standard passenger sedans, full-size pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vehicles equipped with roof racks, cargo pods, or hitched recreational trailers. Because it is an open-sky surface facility, there are no overhead clearance barriers or parking deck height limits, making it exceptionally accommodating for taller vehicles and off-road builds.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Located on the PA-31 mountain corridor, this lot is situated amidst some of Southwestern Pennsylvania\'s premier natural and recreational destinations:
- Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT): Located directly adjacent to or within minutes of key access trailheads along Laurel Ridge State Park, offering premier point-to-point backpacking and day hiking.
- Laurel Hill State Park & Kooser State Park: Situated just a short 5 to 10-minute drive away, featuring freshwater lakes, fishing, scenic camping grounds, and picnic pavilions.
- Seven Springs Mountain Resort & Hidden Valley Resort: Located within a 15 to 20-minute scenic drive, attracting year-round ski, snowboard, mountain bike, and golf visitors.
- Historic Downtown Somerset: Located roughly 10 miles east, offering local dining, historical courthouse architecture, antique shops, and essential travel services.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Accessing the Northwoods Parking Lot is simple via Pennsylvania Route 31 (PA-31), a major east-west artery connecting Somerset directly to the Laurel Ridge summit and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76 / I-70) Interchange at Exit 110. Vehicles can smoothly ingress and egress directly from the state route with clear sightlines. Public transit options in this rural mountainous corridor are minimal, making personal vehicles, carpools, and chartered outdoor shuttles the primary modes of travel. PA-31 also offers straightforward links to PA-711, Route 381, and Route 219 for regional connectivity.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Open-Air Surface Parking: Unobstructed vertical clearance suitable for tall vehicles, trucks with bike carriers, and SUV cargo boxes.
- Easy Highway Access: Convenient pull-in and pull-out directly off PA-31 with dependable approach visibility.
- Recreational Proximity: Direct connection to footpaths and regional outdoor corridors across the Laurel Highlands.
- Complimentary Staging: Generous space for trail staging, carpool consolidation, and brief driver rest stops.
Ideal For
- Day Hikers & Backpackers: Outdoor enthusiasts exploring the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail and nearby state park networks.
- Commuters & Carpoolers: Drivers meeting to rideshare along Route 31 toward Somerset, Westmoreland County, or nearby resort employers.
- Resort & Nature Tourists: Visitors seeking an easy, accessible stopover when exploring the Laurel Ridge autumn foliage or winter snowscapes.
- Scenic Roadtrippers: Motorcyclists and motorists traveling scenic Pennsylvania state scenic byways.
Visitor & Driver Tips
Mountain weather in Somerset County changes quickly; winter drivers should be aware of potential snow accumulation and icy road conditions along PA-31 elevation grades. During peak fall foliage weekends and prime summer hiking seasons, spaces can fill up early in the morning. Drivers leaving vehicles unattended during overnight backpacking excursions should lock all doors, stow valuables completely out of sight, and adhere to all posted Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) regulations where applicable.
