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.

An amazing place to hike and observe wildlife. They have a "no pets" rule, which I support…read morecompletely. Parking is up at the top by the road, and it is limited to about 6 spaces, however I have always found a spot. There are a series of ponds which are used to remove iron from the water (from an old mine that existed on the property. In those ponds you are likely to see migrating water fowl. On my most recent visit, I observed 26 species of birds, including a rather rare Green-winged Teal. There is usually a very shy Great Blue Heron in the back pond, which you can see if you approach quietly. Charters Creek runs along the backside of the park, and there's a cute wooden bridge that connects you to Charters Park. In all, it's a beautiful escape from urban life. Check out OTB Hastings, which is a half mile down the road, for a perfect ending to your wildlife adventure.

Wingfield pines is a beautiful hidden gem! It's a massive passive mine drain area into the upper…read moresaint Clair creek. It's also connected to Boyce mayview Park next door so it's a big area to cover! There is A beautiful trail that runs long side the creek. There's a old pool that filled in for great picture options, there's is a porta poty on site. There's a good bit of markings telling you where the trail is as well as a few signs advising no dogs aloud in the area. There is also a leash free area for the dogs as well. On average you'll spend about a hour or two hiking around all the trails to cover the whole area. I definitely recommend this place.

Here's a bonanza for birders, fishermen, hikers and dog walkers alike. I personally have seen many…read morespecies of rare birds at this location. To the right is a nicely paved trail, and to the left is a more rustic path that occasionally opens up to stunning views of the Monongahela River. I often see people park in the ample lot to eat their lunch and gaze at the view. Nearby is a charming neighborhood of homes, tucked away from the hustle of city life. Ebird reports 197 species of birds making this the number one hotspot in Pittsburgh and the sixth in Allegheny County. There's a wonderful walking trail that leads from Frick Park to Duck Hollow and it is a pure delight. It features forest, creek and finally river, and I call that unique and worthy of 5 stars.

There was a little bit of litter other than that it was a perfect park. And there were even ducks…read more It would be a great place to bike ride, but we just went for a little walk and it was in between the railroad and the river, so it felt like a perfect Pittsburgh Hideaway.

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.

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.

I've been coming to Raccoon Creek State Park for over 50 years now, and it's one of those rare…read moreplaces that has somehow kept its magic across generations. My earliest memories from the 1970s are filled with the smell of charcoal smoke at the picnic groves and the freezing shock of jumping into the lake on hot summer afternoons. As a kid, that beach felt massive, and a simple day trip with packed lunches (the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches melted to goodness from the sun) and blankets spread out on the grass was the best part of summer with my sisters and mom. As I grew into adulthood, the way I used the park changed, but I never stopped going. I didn't always go swimming but instead would explore the miles of hiking trails. The best part, though, was getting to experience it all over again through my daughter's eyes. Taking her there when she was little and watching her hit the water and run around the playground were special times indeed. Raccoon Creek isn't just a park to me; it's a constant in my life. Over five decades later, facilities might get updated here and there, but the familiar feeling of the place hasn't changed a bit. It's serene, nostalgic, and always feels like coming home.

Raccoon State Park is practically in my backyard. I love coming here to camp! I have disability…read moreissues that can slow me down. Raccoon state park offers campsites that are for people like me with disabilities. Everything is right where you would need it to be. Even the showers are designed to aid people with disabilities. Each campsite is very well maintained. They have their own water plant that the water comes from. There is electric and they are a pet friendly campsite. While it would be nice if they had a full hookup. This works just as well. The staff are absolutely great! Whatever you need, they are the ones who can get it for you. The landscape is amazing. If you would rather camp at a site with no tress you can do it there. I personally love the trees for the shading. This is definitely the place to camp. I look forward to making this our special campsite.

I love hiking in autumn. The crisp air, the crackle of leaves under my boots and the quiet moments…read morein nature. Kane Woods Nature Area in Scott Township is a great place for a hike. Several trail heads with parking. Well maintained easy trails. And super cool that dogs are allowed off leash in this wooded wonderland.

This is going to be my go to walking area if I want a quick car ride, clean trails and moderately…read morechallenging hiking. It takes me about 15 minutes by car to get here and it is a synch to find. Parking is super ample. In fact there are three different parking lots. The trails are so well marked and plotted that there is almost no way to get lost. I admit at first try I got a bit side tracked, but then found my way in a few minutes. Be ready for friendly four legged furries coming over to say hello to you. I was actually pretty stoked about this, but some people are not so big on dogs. They do have signs posted about leashing your dog, which most people adhere to, so no problems there. Will post pics soon, with possible videos as well.

It has kind of an odd name for a park, but I got the feeling that there is much to offer here. For…read moremy first visit I took the easier trail that goes along the railroad and veers up a bit. It is very damp and almost swampy as far as I can tell. I am not sure how true that is, maybe it was just because it was after a big rain. The trail is a decent hike that ends at the train tracks. There was a ton of mushrooms and other types of fungi, which was pretty cool to see. I also saw some deer and old ruins while I was on this trail. I have heard that the other trail has some pretty nice views of local towns. I am going to have to come back again and check out the rest of it. I guess we can add this place to the ever growing list of natural areas to visit near Pittsburgh.

A wonderful place to see wildflowers and birds. There are some species of birds that you won't find…read moreanywhere else. The conservation area is managed by the Allegheny Land Trust. The one side of the park is a difficult climb, the trail goes up a very steep hill, but the views are nice.