Darlington’s Natural Spring

## Overview Darlington's Natural Spring is a public drinking spring located near the small borough of Darlington in Beaver County, western Pennsylvania. Situated along Ridge Road, this roadside spring has served as a convenient stop for locals and travelers looking to fill up containers with naturally sourced water. The spring sits in the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, an area underlain by sedimentary rock formations from the Pennsylvanian and Permian periods, which naturally filter groundwater through layers of sandstone and limestone before it emerges at the surface. Darlington itself is a quiet community with roots stretching back to the early 19th century, nestled along the banks of the North Fork of Little Beaver Creek. The surrounding countryside is characterized by wooded hillsides, farmland, and numerous small streams — a landscape well-suited to producing clean, naturally filtered spring water. Visitors have historically used this spring as a source of drinking water, though water quality can vary with seasonal conditions. ## Directions 1. The spring is located at **177 Ridge Road, Darlington, PA 16115**. 2. From **Darlington borough**, head north on **Ridge Road** (which runs along the ridgeline above town). 3. Watch for the spring on the roadside near the 177 address marker. 4. **GPS coordinates:** 40.8046, -80.4774 — entering these into your navigation app should bring you directly to the location. *The spring is roadside, so parking is typically along the shoulder of Ridge Road. Use caution when pulling over, especially during periods of higher traffic.* ## What to Expect Darlington's Natural Spring is a roadside spring, making it easily accessible without any hiking or trail navigation. Visitors can expect a simple, utilitarian setup — a pipe or spout where water flows freely from the hillside. This type of spring is common throughout the hills of western Pennsylvania, where groundwater percolates through ancient rock layers before emerging at natural low points along ridges and valleys. The water has been historically used as a drinking water source by area residents, many of whom visit regularly to fill jugs and bottles. As with any natural, untreated water source, conditions can change over time due to weather, agricultural runoff, or shifts in the water table. The surrounding area offers a peaceful, rural atmosphere with views of the wooded ridges and farmland typical of Beaver County. The spring is accessible year-round, though flow may increase during spring snowmelt and rainy seasons, and could slow during dry summer months. Winter visitors should be cautious of icy conditions along the road and around the spring itself.