Lucky Dog Cafe

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Lucky Dog Café is nestled in the beautiful river valley of Confluence, PA. This scenic region is home to the Youghiogheny River, which provides some of the best white water paddling in the country. Along the riverside is another wonderful treat called the Great Allegheny Bike Trail that runs from Pittsburgh, PA to Washington, DC. We are fortunate to be located right next to both of these gems. Founded in 2004, our quaint little café is located on the bike trail and provides a comfortable setting for any appetite with a diverse menu that will appeal to everyone’s taste. Friendly wait staff, great beer selection, wifi, deck seating, live music (summer weekends) and dog friendly.

Lucky Dog is just down the street from the Tree and Riverhouse and a short walk from the Stonehouse. It’s a favorite of all of our guests!

Braddock’s Restaurant and Tavern

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Braddock’s Restaurant and Tavern is located at 3261 NATIONAL PIKE, FARMINGTON, PA, 15437.

Open year round, spacious and family friendly.

“your favorite mountain top cooking while bringing an intimate and family atmosphere”

And don’t forget to add a little history to your trip and visit Braddock’s grave–right next door.

IN 1804, WORKERS REPAIRING A stretch of the old Braddock Road uncovered human remains buried in the roadbed. The discovery was at Great Meadows near what is now Farmington, Pennsylvania. Among the remains, they found buttons from the uniform of a high-ranking British military officer, which helped to identify the body as that of Major General Edward Braddock. The burial site was near the location where Braddock reportedly died from wounds suffered during the Battle of the Monongahela.

Farmers’ Markets in the area

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Ligonier Country Market

With over 130 Vendors, you’ll be able to find all kinds of fresh picked produce, a wide variety of flowers from annuals to perennials to fresh cut arrangements. We have straight from the farm beef, poultry and eggs, along with specialty breads, pastries and hot cooked foods. Honey and maple syrup too. Also available are tons of handmade crafts including jewelry, purses, country crafts, wood items, pet items, dog treats, candles and much, much more. 

Saturdays mid May through beginning of October.

Located at: Corner of West Main Street & Springer Road, 110 Andi Lane, Ligonier, PA 15658

Springs Farmers’ Market

Voted “Best in Somerset County”, Largest in the area – produce, baked goods, flowers, large flea market, quality crafts. From the farm to our market – over 80 local farmers and craftsmen provide a wide selection of fresh picked produce, home baked goods, quilts, and local raised plants. Enjoy browsing among the antiques, tools, and flea market items. You will find artists displaying paintings and crafted artwork as well as new jewelry, leatherwork, and one-of-a-kind woodwork items. Breakfast and lunch counter on grounds.

Saturdays end May through end of September.

Located at: 1711 Springs Road, Springs, PA 15562

Pumpkin Festival, first Friday of October annually

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PumpkinFest is held beginning the first Friday in October in Confluence, Pennsylvania. 

This festival gives arts & crafts and food vendors the opportunity to show and sell their goods in the town park.   It also features many interesting and exciting events.   Among those are the Pumpkinfest Queen Pageant, a 5K run/walk, an antique and classic auto show, a parade and a largest pumpkin contest.   Other events include a garden tractor pull, photo contest, tough man fire truck pull, tractor square dancing exhibition, live music and more.

We hope that you and your family will be able to visit PumpkinFest this year.   We are sure that you will enjoy yourself!

The 3 day event books early at our homes. Come check it out and get your fill of those old timey, small town feels that only a small town parade can provide.

For more info please check out this site.

Confluence has a coffee shop!

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Tissue Farm Espresso opened in the summer of 2021 in the old Ford garage at the edge of town 446 Latrobe Ave. (directly across the river from the Stonehouse). That end of town has never looked better.

Besides serving amazing coffee and espresso from Commonplace Coffee (Indiana, PA), they also offer locally baked muffins, scones and cookies.

Next to the coffee shop is an artist in residency space in the works. The owners are creating a space in our little slice of Appalachia for inspiration and retreat for artists. Stop in and check it out.

Please check their website for hours.

Mitch’s Fuel & Food

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Mitch’s Fuel & Food, in the center of town, is a one-stop-shop for all of your quick-service needs. In addition to gas, this rustic country store offers a wide variety of convenience items including beverages, snacks, lottery, tobacco products, and live bait.

Mitch’s also offers a full menu for in-house dining or carryout for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week!

Don’t discount this as “gas station” food. Stop in, check out the menu. We think you’ll be surprised and delighted.

Mountain River Spa

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Mountain River Spa

Mountain River Salon and Spa has a calming atmosphere that will cater to the body and soul. A tranquil climate combined with an energetic and professional team makes Mountain River home to all who enter. Their goal is to offer superior services to our local community and traveler alike. Bringing the comfort of the outdoors in!

Mountain River Salon & Spa, llc.

Appointments with Shelly & Massage 814-279-4460

Appointments with Mia 814-233-1695


Playgrounds

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There are several fun playgrounds in the area.

The Outflow Campground playground, Confluence was fully replaced and rebuilt a few years ago. This is across the river from the Treehouse and Riverhouse. Walk or bike across the Yough River bridge (281) and head towards the end of the campground. There is a great spot for fishing there as well, at the outflow of the dam.

The Turkeyfoot school playground, Harnedsville. Unknown, this is great spot when school is out.

Stewart On The Green Community Park, Ohiopyle. Newer and cool playground with kayaks built into the structures.

The Confluence community playground, Confluence. Not great but cool if your kiddos like to watch the train go by. Next to the Community center (near Foodmart).

Confluence gets a hiking trail!

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Joshua C Whetzel Jr Memorial Recreation Area, Part of the Casselman River Conservation Area

New starting in May 2019 Confluence gets is first official hiking trail! And it’s next to the Riverhouse. The trailhead starts in the bike trail parking lot between Riversport and the Riverhouse. The trail traverse the hillside behind the Riverhouse and across from the Treehouse.

We originally purchased the land the trail is on (50 acres) when we acquired the Riverhouse. We had no plans to develop the land–we actually wanted it to remain wild. Through a series of fortunate events and hope and dreams, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy purchased the land from to do just that–conserve it. It’s fantastic for us, of course, but also for the town of Confluence and the area. My family and I had been hiking there (locally known as Klondike Ridge) forever and it’s a really special place to us. It’s so amazing to be able to share it!

The trail is a bit steep but their are steps in the beginning and it does mellow out. It’s an out and back, well marked trail. Good hiking shoes recommended- especially when it’s wet.

It’s short but takes you to a nice overlook of the confluence of the 3 rivers, or the “turkeyfoot”.

Go check it out and let me know what you think! ~Kara

World class fishing

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The section of river from the dam (at the Tree and Riverhouse) from Confluence to Ohiopyle is considered by many as the finest stretch of trout water on the Youghiogheny. Here, the river is at its coldest, surging from the dam in the low 40-degree range and increasing as the water migrates downstream where the 2 rain fed rivers (Casselman and Laurel Hill) join the Yough (at the Stonehouse)

The Youghiogheny at the houses is cold and shallow. Better for fishing and boating than swimming. The lake is warm, but the water in the river is flowing out of the deep bottom of the lake and therefore very cold.  Most wade below the dam and in the shallow waters just downstream. Trout will hold on the edges of soft seams and pockets where they can relax in the soft currents and intercept passing food.

If fly fishing, locate your best dry-fly water, look for flat pools, softer runs, and eddies. Bait fishing is also good. The State stocks brown and rainbow fingerlings in this area, and good-sized holdover trout in the 12- to 16-plus-inch class are caught with regularity.

Another option for fishing on the Yough is biking along the trail and taking one of the many paths down to the river and paddling or floating from Confluence to Ohiopyle.

There is also great lake fishing on our 3 lakes. Yough Lake is 2 minutes from the house. Cranberry Glade and High Point Lake are within 20 minutes.

Here’s a blog post of a biking-fishing trip.

We see more and more fishing on the Casselman and the Laurel Hill is fantastic for fly fishing. As is Whites Creek and Meadow Run in Ohiopyle.

You will need a fishing license. Check rules here. You can get one at the local hardware store.

Want a guide to find the secret spots? Contact our friends at Wilderness Voyageurs.

Check out this article. (and learn how to pronounce Yough)

Finally, love the Yough and want to help protect her? Please consider supporting Mountain Watershed Association. This hard working, grass roots organization has been designed the Yough Riverkeeper and is the only organization specifically protecting and preserving the Yough!