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Slippery Rock Gorge Trail

The Slippery Rock Gorge Trail at McConnell's Mill State Park in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania is a difficult 14.3 mile moderately-trafficked out-and-back trail. It's the longest trail at McConnell's Mill State Park and is one of the more popular day-hike trails; however, due to its length you often don't pass other hikers.

You can start the trail at two different places - near the Hell's Hollow Trail parking lot along Shaffer Rd in Ellwood City or the covered bridge along McConnell's Mill Rd. The GPS data here starts from Shaffer Rd and runs along Hell Run for about 2.2 miles before turning left and heading northeast along Slippery Rock Creek.

Once the trail makes it to Slippery Rock Creek, it will start to ascend hillsides and eventually has a couple of switchbacks before reaching Eckert Bridge. The trail crosses the road at Eckert Bridge and continues on for another 1.1 miles before reaching the covered bridge, mill, and waterfall.

This trail is great for fishing and dogs are also allowed here.
Explore 35 trails near Ellwood City, PA

Know Before You Go

  • Slippery Rock Gorge Trail is a challenging 14.3-mile out-and-back trail in McConnell's Mill State Park, Ellwood City, PA.
  • The trail offers scenic views, including Hell Run, Slippery Rock Creek, Eckert Bridge, and the park's covered bridge, mill, and waterfall.
  • The trail is suitable for fishing and dog-friendly.
Interactive topographic map for Slippery Rock Gorge Trail located in Ellwood City, PA. Click the "View Map" button to load GPS coordinates and trail markers.
Get directions
Distance
14.3 mi
Difficulty
Hard
Type
Out-and-Back
Est. Time
7.2 hrs
Elev. Gain
3,280'
Rating
0.0
Added
July 12, 2017
Updated
June 14, 2018

Weather Forecast

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Total Change
369'
Ascent
3,280'
Descent
3,285'
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Features

Vista / Lookout Point
Dogs
Water Source

Points of interest

  1. Parking

    40.931469, -80.240173
  2. Main Trailhead

    40.931371, -80.239671

Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Availability

Summer

Surface type

Dirt

Trip Reports (Reviews)

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14.3 miles / 23.0 km
July 10, 2022
Woof. What a hike. My friend's GPS tallied us at near 17 miles, which is 11 miles longer than I have ever walked. It was challenging switchbacks and since it is an out and back, the ups and downs reverse. We wanted to go to Hells Hollow waterfall and back so we kept trekking. The water level is low so the falls was not fully flowing, but we could wade in and lean against the waterfall. The trail had a lot of poison ivy on it and the vegetation was lush, so I am glad I had on pants and high tops. No one bonked, but by the end we were so glad to get back to the car.
Hiking
1.1 miles / 1.8 km
May 07, 2016
Just hiked the small section of this trail from the end of the Kildoo Trail back to the covered bridge.
Dogs Hiking
1.1 miles / 1.8 km
May 07, 2016
Dogs Hiking

Explore other routes for this Trail guide, added by the MyHikes' community via Trip Reports (Reviews). To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report and attached your GPX file!

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