5 Fantastic State Parks near Pittsburgh
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Pennsylvania is home to 125 state parks, with more than 300,000 acres of land set aside for public recreational areas. With a number of these parks easily accessible within an hour drive of Pittsburgh, it’s easy to plan a little time out to get back to nature. While living in the ‘Burgh metro, l enjoyed a mix of big city attractions and natural recreation via a number of great state parks located just a short drive outside of the city.
It’s so easy to get to a state park if you are willing to drive. I love living in cities where you can enjoy both urban and rural amenities; this city offers easy access to both which is a big bonus in my opinion. As I love leaf peeping, fall is my favorite time of year to hit the road.
In my guide, I feature several wonderful & easily accessible state parks where you can refresh, rejuvenate, and enjoy the great outdoors anytime of the year.
So if you live in the ‘Burgh (or are just visiting) and would like to see a little nature, definitely keep these beautiful parks in mind. For little more than an hour drive, you will get to enjoy an hour or 2 of biking, hiking, birdwatching, picnicking, or even winter sports. Simply just enjoying the sights and sounds of nature in a quiet environment may be worth the drive all on its’ own.
1. Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle is one of the most popular state parks in Pennsylvania. This gem features a number of attractive amenities include 2 easy access waterfalls, natural waterslides, and many hiking and biking trails.
The beautiful Youghiogheny River runs through the park, creating a spectacular setting for whitewater rafting. Several companies offer amazing whitewater rafting trips on Class III and IV rapids. From what I’ve read, this is considered to be one of the best whitewater rivers in the East.
The standout of this park is beautiful Ohiopyle Falls, a small yet mighty waterfall which is viewable via several observing decks located near the visitor’s center. There is no hike required, so this is a great activity for everyone no matter your fitness ability.
For anyone craving a bit more adventure, I recommend the short quarter mile hike to Cucumber Falls, one of the most photogenic waterfalls in the state. And during the summer months, you can slide down the Meadow Run sandstone “waterslides” for a cheap alternative to the waterpark.
Read more about my experience at Ohiopyle
2. McConnells Mill State Park
McConnells Mill is the perfect destination for a leaf peeping adventure once fall arrives. It’s my top pick if you love fall foliage. With a historic covered bridge, waterfalls, miles of hiking trails through leafy forests, a gorgeous creek, and a historic mill, the setting is just perfect for any type of fall recreation & photography. I always see a lot of families and couples taking photographs here – really the backdrop is perfect for photos.
My top recommended activity is the 1/2 mile hike to Hell’s Hollow waterfall. During the spring and falls months, whitewater rafting on Slipper Rock Gorge creek is quite popular (you must bring your own equipment which is a hassle). Note that guided tours are not available and this activity is quite risky without the aid of an experienced rafter.
Read more about my experience leaf peeping at McConnells Mill
3. Racoon Creek State Park
This quiet gem is located just 30 minutes outside of the city. As the primary advantage, it sees less traffic than other parks featured on this list. Mike and I hiked here a few times in the fall and winter and didn’t see anyone else around which was nice to be honest. After heading into the city congestion nearly every weekend over the summer to enjoy the zoo, city events, bike trails, museums, coffeeshops, and restaurants, we enjoyed taking more of a break during the quieter fall and winter season.
The trails here are peaceful and woodsy, allowing you the opportunity to soak in nature and rejuvenate in a quiet forested setting. Although there is little foot traffic, the airport is fairly close so you will see plenty of planes preparing to land. Like most parks in the vicinity, I like hiking here best during the colorful fall season. Leaf peeping is spectacular if you time your visit just right.
The best hike here is a 1.2 mile loop around an old mineral springs. Along the trek, you will pass the remains of the Frankfort Mineral Springs Resort which operated as a healing resort from the 1790’s to the early 1900’s. There is a nice little waterfall and beautiful views of the creek throughout this trail. I especially love the scenery after a big storm although you must wear proper boots to cross the many creeks.
Winter fun: I haven’t been snowshoeing here, but I imagine it would be a blast after a big storm. I have my own, but there is a free snowshoe loaner program where you can leave your ID and borrow a pair. This is a pretty cool program and they also offer free basic instructions for anyone new to the sport. There needs to be at least 5-6 inches of snow on the ground.
4. Moraine State Park
Although this park sees heavy visitation during the summer months due to the abundant lake activities, it’s pretty peaceful the rest of the year. I love that you can change activities here throughout the year. You can leaf peep in the fall, snowshoe or cross country ski the Sunken Gardens trail in the winter, bike the 7 mile long paved trail in spring and summer, and rent a canoe on Lake Arthur when the weather is warm enough.
There’s much to see and do all year-round, no matter your activity preference. I love to change up my type of exercise all year, so the ability to go from bike riding to snowshoeing is a big bonus for me. Mike and I have our own snowshoes, but you can easily rent snowshoes and skis at various outfitters in the area. And, best of all, the park lies just 40 min north of the city. For those who prefer to spend a little more quality time in nature, lakeside cabin rentals are available year-round.
5. Point State Park
If you have ever visited downtown Pittsburgh or enjoyed the breathtaking skyline views via any overlook or the iconic Duquesne Incline, you have seen the grandeur of Point State Park.
The unusual triangle shape of the park (the downtown has been nicknamed the Golden Triangle with this park’s fountain as the tip), along with the stunning 150 foot tall fountain, really is the centerpiece of the mesmerizing skyline. Note that the fountain only runs during the warmer months.
This historic park was established in the 1950’s as part of an urban renewal project. Most notably, the park marks the joining of the 3 rivers – the Ohio, the Allegheny, and the Monongahela. Today, you can tour Ft. Pitt and learn more about the city’s role in the French and Indian war. Or simply enjoy views of the skyline and various city sights and bridges.
My favorite activity is biking on the Three Rivers Heritage bike trail which runs 2 miles to The Strip District, another historic tourist area of the city that I highly recommend checking out. There are a lot of great restaurants, coffeeshops, and sports stands in this area. I recommend: Cafe Raymond (great blueberry pancakes), Primanti Bros. (the original location of the popular regional sports bar chain), and La Prima (wonderful Italian espresso shop).
And finally, Point State is the site of many city events including the Pittsburgh Independence Day Festival.
