Mon Yough Trail - Access Points

Vicinity: Directions begin headed southeast on PA51. Except for the McKeesport trailhead, the directions start at Elizabeth, where PA51 crosses the Monongahela River. To reach this point from Pittsburgh, pick up PA51 anywhere in the South Hills and turn south or southeast.

McKee Point (northern trailhead): Go southeast on PA51 from Pittsburgh. Turn east on the Yellow Belt (Lebanon Church Rd) toward Allegheny County Airport just north of Century III Mall. Follow the Yellow Belt for about 5 miles to cross the Monongahela River on Mansfield Bridge and then another mile to cross the Youghiogheny River. Turn right after crossing the Youghiogheny to McKee Point Park. Alternate route: If you’re coming from the east side of Pittsburgh, it’s quicker to reach Boston via PA148 south from the Parkway and US30.

Boston: Go southeast on PA51 from the Monongahela River for about 4 miles to PA48 near Round Hill Regional Park. Turn north on PA48, and follow its twists and turns for 6-8 miles to a 5-way intersection in Boston, just before you cross the Youghiogheny River. At this point (the south end of Boston Bridge), turn west (left), then immediately back north (right, toward the river). In less than a block, the road crosses the trail, and there is plenty of parking at this point. If you go a bit farther, you’ll come to a PA Fish Commission boat ramp. Alternate route: If you’re coming from the east side of Pittsburgh, it’s quicker to reach Boston via PA48 south from the Parkway and US30.

West Newton: Go southeast on PA51 from the Monongahela River for about 6 miles to PA136. Turn east (left) on PA136 and continue about 5 miles into the outskirts of West Newton. Just before crossing the Youghiogheny River, turn south (right) into the parking area at the west end of the PA136 bridge. There’s additional parking on the north side of PA136, along Collinsburg Rd.

Cedar Ck: Go southeast on PA51 from the Monongahela River for about 10 miles and follow signs to the Park. In quick succession you’ll turn left on Concord Lane, left on Lynn Rd, and right on Port Royal Rd. Just after passing Timms Lane, turn left at the main entrance to Cedar Creek Park. Follow this road downhill until it reaches the flood plain. There’s one parking lot just before you cross the trail and several more a little farther along the road.

Smithton: Go southeast on PA51 from the Monongahela River for 11 miles. Just after passing I70, turn east (left) on PA981 toward Smithton. Follow PA981 for 1.5 miles, to a point just before crossing the Youghiogheny River (the west end of the PA981 bridge). Immediately before the bridge’s guard rail starts, turn down a short road that leads sharply down to the parking area near the river.

Whitsett: Go southeast on PA51 from the Monongahela River for 13-14 miles. Half a mile after passing Wickhaven, turn east (left) on T495 toward Whitsett. When you reach river level in about a mile, look for a right turn to trail parking and the pavilion at the trail, a block away from the river.

Layton: Go

Dawson/Dickerson Run: Go southeast on PA51 from the Monongahela River for 18 miles to the PA201 interchange for Connellsville. (Note: this will be the second inter­section of PA51 and PA201; watch your mileage and don’t be fooled.) Take PA201 south toward Vanderbilt and Connellsville for 7 miles. In Vanderbilt, turn north (left) on PA819 and follow it 0.7 mile downhill almost to the Dawson-Liberty Bridge across the Youghiogheny River. Just before crossing this bridge, turn left (northwest). Almost immediately turn left down a ramp, making a 270-degree descending left turn. This ramp leads back under the road and into trailhead parking. The trail is at the far side of the parking lot.

Connellsville (southern trailhead): Go southeast on PA51 from the Monongahela River for 18 miles to the PA201 interchange for Connellsville. (Note: this will be the second intersection of PA51 and PA201; watch your mileage and don’t be fooled.) Take PA201 south for 10.7 miles toward Vanderbilt, then Connellsville. Just before the intersection with the southbound lanes of US119, turn north (left) into the vast cindered area between US119 and the termination of PA201. Go back beyond the produce stand and the caboose to where the cable closes off the area. This is trailhead parking. The northern section of the trail takes off on the other side of the gate, past the restored yard office. The connection to Yough River Park and the southern trail drops off the plateau toward US119 and crosses under the highway. To reach the parking near Yough River Park, continue on PA201 to the intersection with US119. Turn left on PA711 (Crawford Av) and continue several blocks to the traffic light at 3rd St. Turn left on 3rd St and follow signs to trailhead parking in the gravel lot just before Connellsville Bottling Co.

Other trailheads: There are additional trailheads at Buena Vista, Sutersville, Layton, and Adelaide (fee parking at campground). These are reached by various back roads. Take a good map with you.