State Parks in Pittsburgh offer outdoor boating, hiking, picnics and more for couples and families.
Most parks open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Some are open year round.
Get outdoors on your vacation, and enjoy the activities the parks have to offer.
You’ll love the summers in Pennsylvania!
Allegheny Islands State Park
724-865-2131
In Allegheny County PA near Cheswick.
Undeveloped park located only by boat in the Allegheny River.
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/alleghenyislands.aspx
Hillman State Park
724-899-2200
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/hillman.aspx
In Washington County PA. One of the parks in Pittsburgh with hiking trails.
Jennings Environmental Education Center
2951 Prospect Rd
Slippery Rock PA 16057
724-794-6011
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/jennings.aspx
12 miles N of Butler PA on PA 528. Has a relict prairie which includes the blazing star flower.
1150 Keystone Park Road
Derry PA 15627
724-668-2939
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/keystone.aspx
One of the state parks in Pittsburgh in Westmoreland County PA. 3 miles from intersection PA 981 and US 22. Campground on Stone Lodge Road. Reach from Slag Road.
- fishing on Keystone Lake
- boating on Keystone Lake – 1 boat launch
- hike
- bike on the trails
- swim
- picnic – tables, 2 pavilions with charcoal grills
- camping April – October – tents, trailers, cabins, cottages
- wildlife watch
- In winter: ice fishing, ice skating, sledding, cross country skiing
Kooser State Park
943 Glades Pike
Somerset PA 15501
814-445-8673
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/kooser.aspx
PA 31 between Donegal and Somerset turnpike exits.
- picnic – tables, 1 pavilion
- hike
- swim
- fish on Kooser Lake
- camping April – October – trailers, tents, cabins
- One of the state parks in Pittsburgh offering cross country skiing in winter
- Somerset PA Hotels
Laurel Hill State Park
1454 Laurel Hill Park Road
Somerset PA 15501
814-445-7725
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/laurelhill.aspx
One of the state parks in Pittsburgh in Somerset County PA. I76 Exit 110 at Somerset – W on PA 31 8 miles, left onto Trent Road and follow park signs. I76 Exit 91 at Donegal – left on PA 31 E 14 miles. Follow signs, right turn onto Trent Road then follow park signs.
- boat on Laurel Hill Lake – 2 boat launches, rent paddle boats, canoes, kayaks
- picnic – tables, 5 pavilions, horseshoe pits, ball field, playground equipment, sand volleyball court
- swimming
- hiking
- camping April – October – tents, trailers, group tenting, cottages
- Laurel Hill Lodge is great for winter activities of snowmobiling, ice fishing, snowshoeing, sledding, tobogganing
Laurel Mountain State Park
724-238-6623
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/laurelmountain.aspx
8 miles E of Ligonier PA, 5 miles W of Jennerstown PA on US 30, then South on Laurel Summit Road 2 miles.
One of the parks in Pittsburgh offering:
- family downhill skiing area on Laurel Ridge mountain
- snowboarding
- has a lodge
Laurel Ridge State Park
1117 Jim Mountain Road
Rockwood PA 15557
724-455-3744
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/laurelridge.aspx
Caution: Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Bridge crossing PA Turnpike is closed and water has been turned off in some shelter and parking areas. Consult their website for more information.
- One of the state parks in Pittsburgh where you can hike the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. There are trail shelters for overnight campers.
- In winter: cross country skiing and snowmobiling
Laurel Summit State Park
724-238-6623
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/laurelsummit.aspx
In Westmoreland County PA.
- picnic – tables, 1 pavilion. Must take trash with you.
Linn Run State Park
PO Box 50
Rector PA 15677
724-238-6623
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/linnrun.aspx
From Ligonier, US 30 E 2 miles. At intersection of PA 381, go S 2 miles. At Rector, left onto Linn Run Road.
- Has Adams Falls
- picnic – tables, playground, 1 pavilion
- fishing
- horeseback riding
- hiking
- cabin rentals year round
McConnells Mill State Park
2697 McConnells Mill Road
Portersville PA 16051
724-368-8091
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/mcconnellsmill.aspx
In Lawrence County PA 40 miles N of Pittsburgh – I 79 near intersection of PA 19 and US 422.
- picnic at Kildoo picnic area – tables, charcoal grills
- One of the state parks in Pittsburgh where you can go rappelling and climbing
- fishing
- hiking
- whitewater boating
- No swimming or camping
Moraine State Park
225 Pleasant Valley Road
Portersville PA 16051
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/moraine.aspx
For South Shore Recreation Area – South Shore Exit off PA 422.
For North Shore – North Shore Exit from PA 422 W.
- picnic – tables, charcoal grills, 7 pavilions
- swimming
- windsurfing
- hiking
- biking – bike rentals available
- trail biking
- horseback riding
- fishing on Lake Arthur
- boating on Lake Arthur – 10 boat launches, rentals of sailboats, rowboats, paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, motorboats and pontoons
- camping – backpackers, group tenting, cabins
- disc golf
- In winter: snowmobiling, cross country skiing, sledding, ice skating, ice boating, ice fishing
- The Regatta at Lake Arthur is held every August with various forms of entertainment
Ohiopyle State Park
PO Box 105
Ohiopyle PA 15470
724-329-8591
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/ohiopyle.aspx
In Fayette County PA.
- biking
- hiking
- horseback riding
- trail biking on trails
- fishing in the Youghiogheny River
- whitewater boating including guided tours
- rock climbing
- picnic – tables, grills, 2 pavilions.
Great Gorge trail starts in the Cucumber Run picnic area.
Tharp Knob picnic area has an overlook with a view of the Youghiogheny River Gorge. This picnic area has a ballfield, volleyball court, playground, and 2 pavilions - camping March – December – tents, trailers, group tenting, cottages
- In winter, snowmobile, cross country skiing, tobogganing and sledding
- Ohiopyle has 5 gorgeous water falls you’ll want to see – Cucumber Falls, Ohiopyle Falls, Jonathan Run Falls, Meadow Run Waterslides and Cascades
Point State Park
101 Commonwealth Place
724 865-2131
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/point.aspx
This is a National Historic Landmark. Park renovations are occuring and some areas may be closed at times.
- Park has a large fountain
- Enjoy paved walkways on the riverfront with 2 overlooks for views of Pittsburgh
- paved biking trails
- benches for seating
- can bring a blanket for a picnic
- outdoor events throughout the year
The park sits where the Monongahela River, Allegheny River and Ohio River meet.
Raccoon Creek State Park
3000 State Route 18
Hookstown PA 15050
724-899-2200
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/raccooncreek.aspx
In southern Beaver County PA. Enter from W on US 22 and US 30, or from N and S on PA 18.
- picnic – tables, grills
- fish on Raccoon Lake
- boat on Raccoon Lake – 2 boat launches, rentals of kayaks, canoes, rowboats
- swim
- hike
- horseback ride on trails
- trail biking
- camping April – October – tents, trailers, cabins, group tenting. Also has Lakeside Lodgebackpacking
- wildlife watch
- visit the Wildflower Reserve with more than 700 plant species. Hike on the reserve trails. It’s especially pretty in late April and August when the wildflowers bloom.
- In winter: cross country ski, ice fish, ice skate, sledding. Offers some winter events.
Ryerson Station State Park
361 Bristoria Road
Wind Ridge PA 15380
724-428-4254
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/ryersonstation.aspx
In Greene County PA on both sides of Bristoria Road off PA 21, 3 miles from Wind Ridge PA.
- camping year round – tents, trailers, group tenting, cottages, some rustic
- picnic – 5 pavilions, charcoal grills, tables
- fishing
- swimming
- hiking
- In winter: ice skating, tobogganing, sledding, snowmobiling, cross country skiing
Yellow Creek State Park
170 Route 259 Highway
Penn Run PA 15765
724-357-7913
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/yellowcreek.aspx
In Indiana County PA between Ebensburg PA and Indiana PA on PA 422.
- hiking
- mountain biking
- picnic – tables, charcoal grills, 3 picnic pavilions
- swimming
- camping – tents, cottages
- fishing on Yellow Creek Lake
- boating on Yellow Creek Lake – launching ramps, rentals of motorboats, canoes, rowboats, paddle boats, pontoon boats, small sailboats
- In winter: ice fishing, sledding, snowmobiling, tobogganing, ice skating, ice boating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing
Enjoy your visit to the state parks in Pittsburgh.