While working in Beaver County I have passed this sign to Buttermilk Falls countless times, but…read morenever had occasion to stop until yesterday. It was a gorgeous, sunny, unseasonably warm March day & I was the first car in the tiny dirt parking area on the left as soon as you turn in. The Falls is now directly across from the new entrance to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. There is a big stone covered with graffiti on the right. After you park, you just hop out and hit the path and follow the sound of gushing water. it is a short distance to the Falls, but it is uphill and it is steep and rocky and this is not a suitable path for anybody with physical limitations of any sort. It can also be dangerous for young children. It's very beautiful and it is worth the hike up. If you're sturdy footed (muddy & rocky), you can walk right behind the falls and it's quite beautiful. Highly recommended for a sightseeing but I'm sure it gets crowded and warmer weather.

The hiking trail we went on was not to long and had nice scenery. Parking was easy to find. The…read morewaterfall is definitely worth the hike there. You can go under it, go above it, and go behind it! Also lots of smooth rocks to set up towel and sit in the sun.

If you live in Pittsburgh or are just visiting the area, McConnells Mill is one of the best day…read moretrips around. It's only about 40 miles north up I-79, so it's an easy drive from the city, but it feels like a completely different world once you get down into the gorge. I've been going there for years with friends and family, and it became my go-to spot to take people when they would visit from out of town. Everyone always loves checking out the historic old gristmill and the red covered bridge right next to it. It's a great, classic view, and if you go during the summer, they usually open up the mill for tours so you can see how it all used to work. The hiking there is fantastic, too, with a good mix of trails depending on what you're up for. You can take a pretty easy walk back to Hell's Hollow Falls, or you can tackle the rougher, rockier trails that run right along Slippery Rock Creek. You definitely want to wear sturdy shoes because the terrain gets steep and the rocks get slick, but the scenery with the rushing whitewater and massive boulders is totally worth it. It's just a beautiful, simple place to get outdoors for a few hours. Whether you want a challenging hike or just want to sit by the water and look at the old bridge, it never disappoints.

Visited this state park for the first time earlier this month and had a blast!…read more I parked at what I think is the main lot, up above the mill itself. I didn't take a tour of the mill (which the park volunteers and staff do offer throughout the day) but I did walk through it and read the information in it about the history of the mill. Definitely enjoyed exploring and learning. That said, I was really there for the trails, so I spent most of my day hiking. I took a loop trail down from the mill and back (with a detour up a short trail to some falls) and it was great! I love being outside and I love a good challenge; these trails were not paved or even at all and I had a great workout navigating them. During hydration breaks I'd find a nice rock to sit on by the water, which was wonderful. It was noisy as heck by the mill because of the families, but the further out I got the more peaceful it got. Definitely met my goal of unplugging for a day during my trek on the trails. I want to come back in the future and begin to try to walk the Slippery Gorge Trail, as it sounds like the gorge is another beautiful part of the park. But that is definitely a long term goal, because that trail is not a short one! I loved visiting this park and I'd be back for sure. To everyone else, PLEASE remember water and wear the proper footwear - while I enjoyed my walk in the park, these trails are definitely not a walk in the park!

I have been taking advantage of this park from before they were finished building it. Be aware NO…read morePETS (unfortunately) because of all the sports fields & courts: baseball, football, soccer, lacrosse, hockey, tennis, pickle ball, basketball. There is a paved 3+ mile walking path (relatively flat) that spans the park. Lots of parking. Kids playground. Miracle League handicapped accessible ball field. A catch & release pond. Flower garden. Brush Creek runs through it. Three body weight exercise stations. Too bad the coffee shop at the entrance was ahead of its time & closed! Great park! Very clean.

The park has become overcrowded with people speeding through the park. Despite the speed limit…read morebeing 15 mph, people are clocking in at 25 mph and above as shown on the electric speed sign. These speeding cars are oblivious to the fact that it is a park full of adults, children, and special needs individuals. They are putting everybody at risk.

First time coming here with my 6 month old son! He loved the swings and this park is in great…read morecondition. Be sure to bring a mask for Covid protection as there are signs posted.

Went for a walk after work I was really impressed with the park it was really relaxing and well…read moremaintained. It's a nice park to take the family for a picnic lots to do for the kids there's a nice playground with a castle in it. I didn't play frisbee golf but the course looked really nice. I was really impressed how well maintained the park is plus the restrooms are clean if your in the area it's worth stopping.

This is a cute little park. We got to see turtles which was a highlight and there's some small…read morehiking trails and a nice relaxing swing while you watch the pond. The playground is nothing to write home about but it's nice. It'd be a nice place for a run and outside workout.

This is a great park for walking. Just be mindful of the fly fishermen that cast their lines before…read morelooking behind them. The lines when cast are coming onto the walking path. This is happening at the end near the bridge. We have been almost hooked a few times now. Who would be liable for any injuries that might occur?

If you are in Pittsburgh Riverview Park is a must goto. I go…read morethere with my golden retriever, There is 2 huge dog park areas that are totally enclosed and are huge also the entire park is dog friendly. I also go there with my grand daughter as there is a great playground. If you are a jogger or walker there is a huge walkway or jogging area. There are many events that are in the park which are great. If you are in the area this is a must come to park.

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.

The waterfall is small but it's pretty and a nice hike to get to it. Our dog loved playing in the…read morewater

I imagine in the warmer summer months this is a very popular destination especially with the water…read morepark located here. There are also soccer and baseball fields as well as shelters for picnics. I wasn't at North Boundary Park for any of that. I was only there on a cold fall morning to take advantage of the "hiking trail" loop around the fields. I put quotation marks around the words hiking and trail because I don't know how much of a hike I consider it due to the entire trail being paved. It's just over a mile in length with some elevation. Regardless, I found it to be an easy to find suburban community park where I felt safe to wander around when there were maybe only two other people wandering the trail. I also found it clean and well maintained. Park hours are posted as 7am - 11pm. There are 2018 plans for a disc golf course and a nature trail that I'm hoping will lead into the actual wooded area (and maybe into some more challenging terrain). I'll check out the park again once the trail is complete.

This is a nice place for heliophiles, walkers, runners, soccer players, and swimmers. There is a…read moreloop that's almost 100% unshaded and a mile long. You can traverse it in either direction, just remember to stay to the right (unless your passing). Inside the loop is a ball field, a few soccer fields, a playground, an outdoor body weight gym, and a large swimming facility with various types of entertainment. There are also a couple shelters with picnic tables underneath, that I assume you can rent for maybe a private party. There are a few restroom facilities with a water fountain as well. Half of the park is wooded and there is a approved plan in place to create an 18 hole disc golf course. The course is supposed to be top tier, compared on a national level. With a planned average of 588 feet per hole, I'm sure it will attract lot skilled talent and probably a competition or two in the first year. If you're new to disc golf, there is a handicapped accessible recreational course planned with six holes, averaging about 175 ft per hole, respectfully. One of the only thing I don't really like about the park is a portion of the paved trail butts up to the road. There is no space or physical barrier between you and cars passing by.

Sunny dog park in Brady's Run Beaver County. Flat, open, clean. Very little shade but lots of nice…read moregrass. Found this location when I stopped by Brad's Run to enjoy some hiking trails. The dogs will love it!!!

I love this park! Its our go to for swimming or just hanging out, would 100% recommend for a day of…read morehanging out whether your hanging at the park, walking a trail, or swimming. If you go to the first swimming area make sure you go check out the awesome rope swing on the cliff side!

4.5 stars. The 460-acre Pittsburgh Botanic Garden was founded in 1988, but many decades of time and…read moremillions of dollars were needed to clean up the site, which sits on a former coal mine. In recent years, more plants have been planted, and more buildings have been constructed. The garden now has a welcome center and gift shop, an event center, an administration building, a picnic area, a homestead with a chicken coop and an apple orchard, a log house, a pavilion, a gazebo, an apiary (for beehives), a pond, a bird's nest, and, of course, many gardens, meadows, and woodlands. So far, I have visited this garden four times over several years--three times to walk along the paths and view the plants and once to see the Dazzling Nights Christmas lights. The paths are easy to follow and take me about one hour to walk. The native plants look pretty, but I wish that more flowering plants were included. During my most recent visit, the gardens had 15 Scraposaurs, which are dinosaur and prehistoric sculptures that were made from repurposed metal. Even my husband enjoyed the natural scenery and the artwork.

One of our local favorites! From the gardens to the cafe and the special events throughout the…read moreyear. Staff is always friendly at the door when you walk in and at the cafe. I sometimes go to the cafe to work - although not really set up for this (make sure your computer is charged). I love browsing the gift shop. There is always something there to gift or that I want (but don't need) for myself. I usually end up leaving with a new book for my daughter. Great spot for some holiday shopping for your nature loving friends and family or a gift exchange. Good in the cafe is usually fresh and tastes great. I've enjoyed their salads, kids menu options and baked goods. The gardens are a wonderful place to plan a picnic or just walk around and take in all the hard work that goes into maintaining the grounds. They have a few areas geared towards kids and a lovely pond to sit and relax by. We especially love to admire the local art exhibits that routinely change.