Harrisburg, PA – This week, the Shapiro-Davis Administration introduced Laurel Caverns State Park as Pennsylvania’s 125th state park and first underground state park, and celebrated completion of significant upgrades to Point State Park ahead of major events in 2026, including the NFL Draft and the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Governor Josh Shapiro visited Laurel Caverns on Monday to make the historic announcement of the new park. Approximately 50 miles from Pittsburgh, Laurel Caverns is a 435-acre park centered around the largest and deepest limestone cave in Pennsylvania, which includes four miles of wide cave passages that go as deep as 476 feet and the largest bat shelter in the Northeast. The Caverns attract 50,000 annual visitors and will officially reopen to the public on Earth Day, April 22, to remain open until October.
Like all Pennsylvania state parks, entrance and participation in recreational activities such as hiking, birding, and picnicking will remain free at the Caverns year-round, but fees to enter the cave for one of five guided or self-guided tours will remain in place.
Laurel Caverns will help expand Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy, which contributed $20.4 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy in 2024 and supported approximately 177,000 jobs.
See what Pennsylvanians are reading and watching about Governor Shapiro opening Laurel Caverns State Park:
Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Laurel Caverns, Pennsylvania’s first underground state park, officially opens
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Longtime owners of Laurel Caverns trust Pa. to take care of natural attraction
Erie Times-News: Laurel Caverns becomes Pennsylvania's 125th state park
WTAE: Laurel Caverns in Fayette County opens as Pa.'s first underground state park
Northcentral PA: Gov. Shapiro announces Pennsylvania’s first underground state park | Life | northcentralpa.com
Pittsburgh Magazine: Pennsylvania’s Newest State Park Is Underground | Pittsburgh Magazine
Times News: Pennsylvania adds underground caverns to park system – Times News Online
The News-Item: Shapiro announces grand opening of Laurel Caverns State Park, Pa.’s first underground state park | Local | newsitem.com
Local News 1: Pennsylvania opens first subterranean state park - LocalNews1.org
MSN: Pennsylvania's 1st underground state park to open in Fayette County
WGAL: Pennsylvania opens its first subterranean state park
WHP: Pennsylvania's 1st underground state park to open in Fayette County
Yahoo News: Pennsylvania opening 125th state park — its first that’s subterranean
Observer Reporter: Laurel Caverns becomes first subterranean state park in Pennsylvania - Observer-Reporter
Lehigh Valley Live: Pennsylvania opening 125th state park — its first that’s subterranean
Penn Live: Pennsylvania opening 125th state park — its first that’s subterranean
PA Environment Digest Blog: PA Environment Digest Blog: Gov. Shapiro, DCNR Announce Grand Opening Of Laurel Caverns State Park In Fayette County, Pennsylvania’s First Underground State Park
Capitol Wire: Gov. Shapiro, DCNR secretary to open Laurel Caverns State Park, PA’s first subterranean state park.
KDKA Newsradio: PA's First Underground State Park: Laurel Caverns
WFMZ: Gov. Shapiro announces Pennsylvania’s first underground state park
The Daily Courier: Newest state park unveiled in Fayette County
The Keystone Newsroom: Pennsylvania's first underground state park opens to public
The Pennsylvania Independent: ‘Beauty beneath the surface’: Pennsylvania celebrates its first underground state park
Axios Pittsburgh: Pennsylvania will open its first public cave state park at Laurel Caverns
ABC27: Pennsylvania opens first underground state park
Go Erie: Laurel Caverns is Pennsylvania's first underground state park
On Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis visited Point State Park in Pittsburgh to tour recently completed upgrades to the park and to turn on the park’s iconic fountain ahead of major events in 2026, including the NFL Draft and the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) made repairs to address leaks and improve the lighting to the iconic fountain. Other significant upgrades include repairs to the walkways and hardscapes, utility repairs, new landscaping throughout the park, and improvements and lighting upgrades on the City Side Lawn, flag bastion, and parking lot.
Governor Shapiro’s 10-year plan to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh includes an additional $32.9 million investment in longer-term projects at Point State Park, including additional updates to the park’s landmark fountain and new recreational activities on the City Side Lawn. The second phase of work at the park is part of a broader 10-year strategy Governor Shapiro launched in October 2024, uniting Pittsburgh’s private sector, local government, corporate leaders, and nonprofits behind a plan to build more housing, revitalize public spaces, and improve safety, cleanliness, and affordability downtown.
See what Pennsylvanians are reading and watching about Lt. Governor Davis turning on Point State Park’s fountain a month early following multimillion dollar improvements to the park:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis turns up the water pressure on the Point State Park fountain ahead of the NFL Draft
WESA: Point State Park water fountain back on before NFL Draft
KDKA Newsradio: Point State Park Fountain Reopens for NFL Draft
Axios Pittsburgh: Point State Park fountain roars back after renovation
Pittsburgh Business Times: Point State Park gets $3.4M refresh ahead of NFL Draft
The Beaver County Times: Point State Park fountain reopens early, is ready for 2026 events
KDKA TV: Point State Park fountain turned on early as Pittsburgh continues preparations for NFL draft
WTAE: Iconic Point State Park fountain returns as upgrades made ahead of NFL Draft
National Today: Pittsburgh's Point State Park Fountain Reopens After $3.4 Million Upgrade - Today in Pittsburgh
State Affairs: Lt. Gov. Davis and DCNR Secretary Dunn tour $3.4 million in Point State Park upgrades ahead of NFL Draft. - State Affairs Pro
Visit DCNR’s website for more information about Laurel Caverns State Park and Point State Park. Check out DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands.