Trails, lakes and expansive parks
The Allegheny County park system includes nine parks. It also features more than 200 miles of multi-use trails open to walkers, hikers, joggers, cyclists and horseback riders. The options range from peaceful paths to routes for different kinds of exercise, so you don’t have to limit yourself to a single activity.
North Park sets the standard for size: at 3,089 acres, it is the largest park in the Allegheny County park system. Its 66-hectare lake and boathouse, built in 1934, are ideal for kayaking and fishing. South Park, meanwhile, has extensive hiking and biking trails as well as an 18-hole golf course. The two parks showcase different sides of the park system: a lake and boathouse at one, hiking and biking trails alongside golf at the other.
South Park also combines physical activity with a designed landscape. The South Park Cascades are a historic, man-made water feature dating to 1930. They were built from layered rock quarried in the park. The amphitheater hosts the free Summer Concert Series on Fridays in summer; check the specific event dates before your visit.
River trails and longer routes
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail offers a different perspective on the area: this designated National Recreation Trail system is also a recognized Heritage Trail. It comprises 35 miles of non-linear trail segments along both banks of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers in Allegheny County. The segments follow the riverbanks, while the park system’s multi-use trails accommodate a range of activities.
Another option is the 46.2-mile Rachel Carson Trail. It runs between Harrison Hills County Park in the far northeast of Allegheny County and North Park in the county’s north-central area. These named endpoints give you an idea of the route’s length; it is a different trail option from the non-linear segments of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.
Industrial history, crafts and culture
The Carrie Blast Furnaces, including Blast Furnaces No. 6 and 7, are a National Historic Landmark. Today, the site offers tours, workshops, exhibits and events. This industrial heritage site is complemented by activities that go beyond simply viewing the furnaces.
The Oliver Miller Homestead offers traditional crafts such as blacksmithing, metalworking, baking and woodworking. The paved Hartwood Acres Sculpture Garden Paths offer another way to experience the landscape: they wind around the historic Hartwood Acres Mansion and lead to 14 sculptures by regional and national artists. The artworks and craft traditions offer different highlights, from outdoor art to practical skills.
In Pittsburgh, the Fort Pitt Museum explores the central role of western Pennsylvania in the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War and the early years of Pittsburgh. The Nationality Rooms are also located in Pittsburgh. The 30 museum-quality rooms represent cultures that have made Pittsburgh their home, while also reflecting the cultures of various ethnic groups who settled in Allegheny County.
Seasonal offerings and activities
Boyce Park has the only downhill skiing and snow tubing slopes in the Allegheny County park system. The skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing options are open to all ages and ability levels. As these activities are seasonal, check their operating status before you arrive.
Boyce Park also has a bouldering park with more than 6,000 square feet of climbing surfaces and challenges. The bouldering walls are rearranged at least twice a year, usually in spring and fall, to create new challenges. The paved pump track is nearly 800 feet long. The same park offers a wide variety of activities, from seasonal winter sports to climbing and cycling.
For the 2026 season, the Bethel Park Farmers' Market in South Park is a seasonal weekly gathering place for local farmers, artisans and small businesses. Offerings include fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables, handmade breads and baked goods, homemade jams and sauces, and other specialties. Dates and vendors may change, so check current market information before your visit.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Pittsburgh, Coraopolis, Monroeville, Tarentum, Imperial-Enlow, Carnegie, West Homestead, Clairton, Etna, Pine, Munhall, Gibsonia, Robinson Township, Kennedy Township, Whitehall, Baldwin, West Mifflin, Morgan, Bridgeville, Oakmont, Mount Lebanon and Imperial.
For the broader travel overview: Pennsylvania.
