Outdoor USA Magazine

With whitewater sports gaining more and more popularity in past years—and with many kayakers and other whitewater boaters having become more skilled—the Ohiopyle State Park officials in southwest Pennsylvania have decided to allow access to the 18-foot high Ohiopyle Falls for a three week trial period.

In years past, the fall was not open for kayakers to plunge down, although some would sneak the chance and kayak it at night when no one was around. If all goes well with the trial run, the fall will be open next summer at specific times, which will be regulated by the state park. Unfortunately, rafters will still not be able to go over the Ohiopyle Falls in the Youghiogheny River, but the amount of kayakers seen in the past couple of few weeks for the trial has piqued the interest of hundreds of folks who’d like to take on this previously banned fall.