Living along the Three Rivers offers some pretty spectacular benefits for Pittsburghers: Jaw-dropping views, waterfront restaurants, and plenty of water activities. Whether you cruise down the river on the Gateway Clipper Fleet or in a kayak and canoe in Pittsburgh, you’ll find that time melts away when you’re on the water.
- The North Shore
Flickr/Wally Gobetz Explore the North Shore - traveling past such landmarks as Heinz Field, PNC Park, and the Carnegie Science Center - aboard a kayak or a canoe. Bring your own kayak or canoe or rent one from Venture Outdoors then hit the water where you’ll be treated to stunning views of Pittsburgh.
- The South Side
Flickr/Kordite Head to the boat launch at Southside Riverfront Park and slip into the water for an afternoon of exploration on the Monongahela River. Meander down the river toward Station Square where you can indulge in views of both Mount Washington and the Pittsburgh skyline.
- North Park
Flickr/Via Tsuji Escape the city for adventure at North Park. Launch your kayak or canoe on North Park Lake. Venture Outdoors offers rentals of kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and rowboats. Spend an afternoon on the shimmering lake before grabbing a burger at the OTB Bicycle Cafe.
North Park is located at 303 Pearce Mill Road, Allison Park, PA 15101.
- Loyalhanna Lake
Facebook/Loyalhanna Lake Journey to Bush Recreation Area in New Alexandria where you can spend a leisurely day aboard the waters of Loyalhanna Lake. The recreation area also offers picnicking and camping sites, an ideal spot for a quick getaway.
Bush Recreation Area is located at 720 Bush Road, New Alexandria, PA 15670.
- Lake Wilhelm
Flickr/Melissa Nestled in Maurice K. Goddard State Park, Lake Wilhelm provides an idyllic backdrop for a day on the water. Slip your kayak or canoe into the 1,680 acre lake that offers spectacular views of the state park. After a day on the water, go hiking, biking, fishing, or picnicking.
Maurice K. Goddard State Park is located at 684 Lake Wilhelm Road, Sandy Lake, PA 16145.
- Moraine State Park
Flickr/Jon Dawson Discover the sheer beauty of Lake Arthur, the 3,225 acre masterpiece of Moraine State Park, where you can spend a day lounging on one of the two beaches or explore the lake on a kayak or a canoe. Moraine State Park also features hiking and biking trails, windsurfing, fishing, and camping.
Visit Moraine State Park at 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville, PA 16051.
- Keystone State Park
Flickr/Jon Dawson Meander around Keystone Lake on a kayak or a canoe. The cozy 78-acre lake also boasts a sand beach and a concession stand. Go fishing, hiking, biking, or camping in the 1,200 acre park.
Spend an endless summer day at Keystone State Park at 1150 Keystone Park Road, Derry, PA 15627.
- Conemaugh River
Flickr/Jon Dawson Enjoy the calming waters of the Conemaugh River in Saltsburg. Follow the river from Saltsburg to Johnstown for the ultimate summer adventure.
- Ohiopyle State Park
Flickr/Jon Dawson Hit the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle State Park for a day of adventure. The water can get choppy so your best bet - if you’re new and inexperienced - is to take a beginners course with a company like Make Wilderness Voyageurs.
Ohiopyle State Park is located at 124 Main Street, Ohiopyle, PA 15470.
- Allegheny Islands State Park
Wikipedia/Clint Discover the hidden Allegheny Islands State Park, boasting two undeveloped islands, where you’ll find the perfect spot to kayak or to canoe and to explore.
Allegheny Islands State Park is located in Cheswick, PA 15024.
Soak up every moment of summer aboard a kayak and canoe in Pittsburgh or, if you prefer, meander down a lazy river on an inner tube.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
Explore the North Shore - traveling past such landmarks as Heinz Field, PNC Park, and the Carnegie Science Center - aboard a kayak or a canoe. Bring your own kayak or canoe or rent one from Venture Outdoors then hit the water where you’ll be treated to stunning views of Pittsburgh.
Flickr/Kordite
Head to the boat launch at Southside Riverfront Park and slip into the water for an afternoon of exploration on the Monongahela River. Meander down the river toward Station Square where you can indulge in views of both Mount Washington and the Pittsburgh skyline.
Flickr/Via Tsuji
Escape the city for adventure at North Park. Launch your kayak or canoe on North Park Lake. Venture Outdoors offers rentals of kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and rowboats. Spend an afternoon on the shimmering lake before grabbing a burger at the OTB Bicycle Cafe.
North Park is located at 303 Pearce Mill Road, Allison Park, PA 15101.
Facebook/Loyalhanna Lake
Journey to Bush Recreation Area in New Alexandria where you can spend a leisurely day aboard the waters of Loyalhanna Lake. The recreation area also offers picnicking and camping sites, an ideal spot for a quick getaway.
Bush Recreation Area is located at 720 Bush Road, New Alexandria, PA 15670.
Flickr/Melissa
Nestled in Maurice K. Goddard State Park, Lake Wilhelm provides an idyllic backdrop for a day on the water. Slip your kayak or canoe into the 1,680 acre lake that offers spectacular views of the state park. After a day on the water, go hiking, biking, fishing, or picnicking.
Maurice K. Goddard State Park is located at 684 Lake Wilhelm Road, Sandy Lake, PA 16145.
Flickr/Jon Dawson
Discover the sheer beauty of Lake Arthur, the 3,225 acre masterpiece of Moraine State Park, where you can spend a day lounging on one of the two beaches or explore the lake on a kayak or a canoe. Moraine State Park also features hiking and biking trails, windsurfing, fishing, and camping.
Visit Moraine State Park at 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville, PA 16051.
Meander around Keystone Lake on a kayak or a canoe. The cozy 78-acre lake also boasts a sand beach and a concession stand. Go fishing, hiking, biking, or camping in the 1,200 acre park.
Spend an endless summer day at Keystone State Park at 1150 Keystone Park Road, Derry, PA 15627.
Enjoy the calming waters of the Conemaugh River in Saltsburg. Follow the river from Saltsburg to Johnstown for the ultimate summer adventure.
Hit the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle State Park for a day of adventure. The water can get choppy so your best bet - if you’re new and inexperienced - is to take a beginners course with a company like Make Wilderness Voyageurs.
Ohiopyle State Park is located at 124 Main Street, Ohiopyle, PA 15470.
Wikipedia/Clint
Discover the hidden Allegheny Islands State Park, boasting two undeveloped islands, where you’ll find the perfect spot to kayak or to canoe and to explore.
Allegheny Islands State Park is located in Cheswick, PA 15024.
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