Here’s The Ultimate Bucket List For Pittsburghers Who Are Obsessed With Nature
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
Pittsburghers are a pretty eclectic group of people. We can all probably agree on that, right? One more thing we can likely agree on is that Pittsburgh and the surrounding area are bursting with natural beauty. If you love or are obsessed with nature, you’ll certainly want to add the following 10 destinations to your ultimate bucket list in Pittsburgh.
Admire sweeping views of Lake Erie from above, but first start your hike along the .39-mile Bluff's Edge Trail. The easy trail will take you directly to the edge of the bluff, where you'll have glorious views of the water from 90 feet above.
Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, in Beaver Falls, promises a tranquil spot to enjoy the fresh air, to feel the mist of a waterfall, and to dip your feet in the cool pool the waterfall cascades into. To reach the waterfall, however, you'll walk between five and ten minutes along a tree-lined path that includes some stairs. Once you arrive at Buttermilk Falls, walk behind it or simply grab a seat on one of the massive rocks nearby to admire it.
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Ohiopyle State Park is an idyllic destination for nature lovers. It's home to Cucumber Falls, Ohiopyle Falls, and Jonathan Run Falls. However, if you visit on a cool day, make sure you stop by Meadow Run Natural Waterslide. Slide at your own risk, and be prepared to be banged up a bit. After all, you're sliding down sandstone sheet rocks that date back 300 million years.
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Sink your feet into the sand before heading into the cool water of 63-acre Laurel Lake at Laurel Hill State Park. If you're visiting for the summer, plan for a day on the beach, surrounded by lush green trees. The park also features several scenic trails, including Pumphouse Trial. At just over 1.5 miles, the trail leads to a beautiful dam.
Settler's Cabin Park is a popular spot for swimming in the wave pool, having a picnic, and shooting hoops. Nature lovers can drink in the natural beauty, including a tiny waterfall, by hiking through the park. The nearly two-mile Green Loop Trail meanders through a wooded area, past a flowing stream, and to a tiny waterfall that cascades into a clear pool of water.
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Reaching Bilger's Rocks is a bit of a hike, but it's well worth the two-hour drive from downtown Pittsburgh. Dating back 300 million years, the rocks are unique geological formations. Wear appropriate shoes if you plan to climb the boulders or to explore the passageways, the cliffs, and the caves. Bring lunch along, too, for a leisurely picnic at one of the picnic tables.
Immerse yourself in nature at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Spanning 452 lush acres, the botanical garden boasts a series of trails, colorful flowers, and a beautiful pond. Cross over that pond on stepping stones or on the fairy-tale footbridge. Stop by the fairy garden; sit in an over-sized birds' nest, and relax on one of the benches dotted throughout the garden.
You can't have an ultimate bucket list in Pittsburgh, for nature lovers, and not include Frick Park. Frick Park offers us a piece of natural paradise within the bustling city. There, you can embark on one of several trails, including the Frick Park Loop Trail and the Frick Park Riverview Trail.
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Ninety pristine acres among nature await at Sahli Nature Park in Beaver Falls, not too far from Buttermilk Falls Natural Area. Wear comfortable shoes for your walk through the natural area that features a pond with meandering ducks, a waterfall, and a butterfly nursery. You can even sit back and watch the local wildlife as you sit on one of the benches near the pond.
Can you have a bucket list without mentioning the Three Rivers? One of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the Three Rivers, aside from sitting at the Point, is on the rivers themselves. Kayak Pittsburgh/Venture Outdoors offers rental kayaks (including instruction if it's your first time kayaking). Join a beginners paddle, a full moon paddle, or another offered paddle for beautifully unique views of the river and the city skyline.
Do you absolutely love nature? Will you add any of these to your ultimate bucket list in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments! One of the best ways to see nature is on a scenic hike. Here are six short and sweet hikes near Pittsburgh.
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Featured Addresses
Erie Bluffs State Park, 11100 W Lake Rd, Lake City, PA 16423, USA
Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, Route 18 & First Avenue & Homewood Borough, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, USA
Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470, USA
Laurel Hill State Park, 1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd, Somerset, PA 15501, USA
Settlers Cabin Park, 608 Ridge Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15205, USA
Bilger's Rocks, 1921 Bilgers Rocks Rd, Grampian, PA 16838, USA
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, 799 Pinkerton Run Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15071, USA
Frick Park, 1981 Beechwood Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, USA
I.S. and Gertrude Sahli Nature Park, 194 McKinley Rd, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, USA
1 Federal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA