Folks, I've had so many incredible photos I've shot from here over the years and need to really…read morepull them up and get posted. Perhaps it's just an excuse to visit on my next trip home. The park is on the Mount (Mt. Washington) with over 250 acres and crazy-good views of the city. It has gardens and walking trails (10+ miles). The most interesting and best part of this park is that it was a dump site (illegal) restored into a beautiful area for everyone to enjoy.

Emerald View is a Pittsburgh treasure! The concept is stunning, a series of trails that encircle…read morethe neighborhoods of Mt Washington and Duquesne Heights. The reward is a natural paradise in the midst of an urban center and stunning views of the Downtown skyline. You can hike within the dense canopy of leaves, and then arrive at beautiful views of the West End, the West End Bridge, and of Downtown. The park showcases the city in such a unique way, and it is only minutes away from our downtown hotels. What a remarkable treat for Pittsburgh visitors, but also city residents. Created in 2005, it's the newest and smallest of our network of 5 main city parks, that include Frick, Schenley, Highland, and Riverview. The trails were professionally designed, then developed by community volunteers plus a workforce training program. It's 257 acres, and filled with opportunities for birding, nature hikes, and urban exercise.

This is such a great city park with a mix of paved and natural trails. The paved loop around the…read morepark offers nice views and some hills/grades to get your heart rate up. You can bike or walk, with or without your doggo.

Riverview Park has one of the largest and most extensive trail systems in the Pittsburgh area. With…read moreso many interconnected trails winding through different neighborhoods, it's easy to have a different experience every time you visit. I also like that you can step into a nearby neighborhood and grab something to eat before continuing your hike. Compared to Schenley or Frick Park, it also tends to be less crowded, making it a great option if you're looking for a quieter, more peaceful walk. That said, the trails are not as well maintained as many of Pittsburgh's other parks. Some sections are in great condition, while others have overgrown vegetation, uneven rocky terrain, steep drop-offs, and occasional hazards like broken glass. I noticed small pieces of glass along the Archery Trail, so I would recommend wearing hiking boots or sturdy athletic shoes rather than thin-soled sneakers. Because of the terrain, I think this park is much better suited for walking and hiking than for running. Most of the trails are not wheelchair accessible and may be difficult for young children, older adults, or anyone with mobility challenges. Even with the overgrowth, the scenery is beautiful, and many areas were filled with fragrant plants and wildflowers. I didn't personally see any poison ivy during my visit, but it's always a good idea to stay aware of your surroundings. One area that could definitely be improved is restroom access. There are very few restrooms throughout the park, and one restroom that had been open during a previous visit was locked in the middle of the day on a Sunday. Adding a few portable restrooms near the busiest trailheads would make a big difference for visitors. Parking is easier than I expected. While there aren't many dedicated parking lots, there is plenty of street parking throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. Depending on which trails you choose, you may also come across areas where unhoused individuals have set up encampments. During my visits, everyone kept to themselves and I didn't have any negative interactions, but it's something visitors should be aware of and another reason to stay aware of your surroundings in such a large urban park. The observatory has unfortunately been closed each time I've visited, but the park frequently hosts community events that are worth checking out. It's encouraging to see ongoing improvements, and I hope the city continues investing in this park because it has so much potential. Overall, Riverview Park is a beautiful place to explore and one of Pittsburgh's most expansive trail systems. While there are areas that could benefit from better maintenance, additional restrooms, and continued safety improvements, it's still well worth visiting. With a little more attention, I truly think it has the potential to become one of the best parks in Pittsburgh.

City parks in general, but Frick, Schenley, and Riverview in particular are amazing recreational…read moreassets that are unequalled in other metro areas. I was fortunate and privileged to grow up with Frick as my backyard and walked all over the place before graduating to riding mountain bikes on the trails when the sport was in its infancy. Later, I ran high school cross-country races in Schenley and trained in Frick Park. Nowadays, we enjoy the flowers, wildlife, and groomed and maintained trails. I never appreciated how unique, rare, and amazing the parks are until I moved away and it's so great to see them treated as the unique assets they truly are.

Frick Park is a dense network of interconnected trails that helps define Pittsburgh as a city of…read moreparks. I keep coming back and exploring different paths, only to realize there's always more to discover. It's one of those places where you can return again and again and still find something new, which makes it feel really special to me. The way the trails connect is one of my favorite things. Nine Mile Run flows into Deer Creek, which then connects into Tranquil Trail, creating an easy, continuous experience through the park. And thats just one corner of the park. While bathrooms are not abundant, you will occasionally find a porta potty, and there is often trash cans and benches toward the entrances and parking lots of the trail as well. Overall it's just a wonderful place to spend a sunny afternoon, and I really hope spaces like this continue to be preserved as an important part of Pittsburgh's identity and history.

an excellent hidden gem, allowing exploration of nature & art…read more old tunnels & forgotten track tracks covered in graffiti paired with natural rock formations & a short creek nature trail walk covered in moss & various fauna, all blending together for quite a scenic experience it was a delightful off-the-beaten-path visit, not sure I'd go routinely if I lived in the area, but would definitely recommend as a one time must-check out experience

I have always loved this hidden South Hills gem. Art and exploration nestled in an urban setting…read more Wooded green space with a creek and little paths for walking, lunching, and more. Natural stone and man-made features for climbing. Abandoned railroad tracks, graffiti and more.

This one is complicated...my wife has been trying to get me to visit this location for a couple of…read moreyears...it's a largely overgrown park in the Hill District ... When you climb to the reservoir, you have an unbelievable 360 degree view of Pittsburgh--maybe one of the most unique in the city. But again, it's not even a little bit tourist friendly. Go if you are an urban explorer. Best after the leaves come off the trees. It's overgrown and some of the views are blocked by foliage.

Reviewing things in 2020 is, well, a little strange. If you're like me, you aren't exactly rushing…read moreout to the places we normally review. Instead, Settlers Cabin Park is one of the spots I frequent these days - for exercise, for a literal change in scenery, and to unplug from the current day-to-day of working at home. I want to mention early that part of the beauty of this 1,600+ acre county park is that it was once the site of various coal mines - this gorgeous space has been restored to what you see when you visit it now. Knowing that adds another level of appreciation, at least for me! After its history, the second biggest reason I love Settlers Cabin Park is the number of trails available to use. If you check out their website and maps, you can see an overview of the five or six total trails here. Some of them are on the shorter side, others are longer, and a lot of them directly interconnect at different points. That makes it easy to explore more than one trail in a single visit - one day I started out on the green trail, somehow went far enough to get to the purple trail, and finished the loop back to my car on the blue trail. (I promise, that will make more sense after looking at a map!) There are other things here besides the trails - tennis courts, field hockey, playgrounds, pavilions, wave pools, etc. Interestingly, Settlers Cabin Park is technically also home to the Pittsburgh Botanical Garden, which is another outdoor spot I adore. For the trails alone, I consider Settlers Cabin Park to be my perfect escape these days. I can hike anywhere from 1.5 to 6 miles, at any pace that I want. Bonus points - as long as I don't mind the hilly climbs involved, I can take some time to enjoy the sight and sound of the park's baby waterfall. (Some articles call it a mini waterfall, but given how small it is, I call it a baby!) Any time I spend here is always time well spent, and I'm sure I'll be back again soon.

If you grew up anywhere near Robinson, Settlers Cabin is basically the summer spot to be…read more I've been hitting up that wave pool since I was a teenager. And honestly, you can't talk about Settlers Cabin without mentioning the picnic groves. I swear, half of my summer weekends over the decades have been spent at a cookout, grad party, or other gatherings with friends at one of those pavilions, eating hot dogs and hamburgers. When my daughter was little I brought her there through her teenage years with her friends. Always a good spot to spend a hot summer day in Pittsburgh.

Wonderful bird walk and talk at lovely facility. Beautiful grounds and fun gift shop.read more

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve is the headquarters of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania…read more(ASWP). The ASWP's website says that this reserve contains 134 acres of sanctuary, several trails that total five miles, and facilities such as a nature store, native-plant nursery, play area, educational classrooms, teachers' resource center, and a library. Rental spaces include a barn, auditorium, and classroom. My husband and I visited the nature store and the native-plant nursery. At the nature store, we saw products such as bird feeders, bird seed, binoculars, gardening gloves, nature books, t-shirts, honey, stuffed animals, puzzles, greeting cards, etcetera. At the native-plant nursery outside, we thought that the plants were somewhat small in size but had a varied selection and were priced reasonably. The ASWP's website has a list of available plants, which includes over 150 species of trees, shrubs, and perennials that attract birds, butterflies, and bees. In the future, I plan to return to Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve to hike their trails. I think that I would enjoy seeing their woodlands, fields, streams, pond, and wildlife.

A gorgeous park with something to offer for everyone! Great walking trails that are accessible for…read morethose with strollers and wheelchairs. Trails that are a bit more challenging. A really nice playground. The park is also beautifully landscaped. It seems to perpetually be in bloom from early spring through the fall. There are picnic/pavilion areas, bathrooms (port a potties) and there is plenty of parking. I also really enjoy the fountain area for some relaxing but it is also great for pictures! A fun park to visit for all ages.

We were all packed into a house with several families and little kids who needed some time to run…read moreand stretch their legs so I quickly looked up the nearest best park on Yelp. Voila, Highland Park saved the day. The thing that attracted me most was the playground that featured plenty of shade as well as playscapes that worked for various ages including babies with a soft floor. I also want to highlight that this park features hiking trails and a great view overlooking downtown Pittsburgh. It's tucked into a historic neighborhood so the drive to the park was also pleasant. If I lived in the area, I could see myself frequenting this park. Overall a wonderful experience and we will definitely visit the next time we are in Pittsburgh!