Slippery Rock Gorge makes up the bulk of McConnells Mill State Park up in Lawrence County. To get to the park, head up I-79 to either the Portersville/Prospect or Butler/New Castle exits and follow the signs. Once you get there, all you need to do is head down the hill from the main parking lot and you are in the natural area. There area number of trails along Slippery Rock Creek that range from paved (but still not the easiest to walk on) to rough back-country. There are lots of rocks and lots of slippery areas, so wear sturdy boots and bring a walking stick.
The gorge was created back at the end of the last glacial period. When temperatures warmed the glacier receded, ice blocks that had created a number of lakes disappeared, allowing the water to rush out. Over time (but not that much time, geologically speaking), the rushing water carved out the gorge and left massive boulders behind.
The rocks are what many people come for (along with the creek, which is a challenging white water corridor), but the abundance of wild flowers, trees, waterfalls and other scenic niceties are certainly worth the trip. My favorite time to visit is after a large rain storm when the creek overflows, creating lots of new channels, rapids, etc. A good rain will also bring out the waterfalls, some of which are hardly noticeable without extra precipitation (or snow melt). Autumn colors are also quite spectacular, as are the trees' herculean efforts to grow on, around, and in the large rocks.
All-in-all, this is one of Southwestern Pennsylvania's most scenic natural areas, and certainly worth the trip in nearly any season.
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