Outdoors Links

Online Outdoors Resources

• Walls Are Bad
  

  Southwestern Pennsylvania's most comprehensive guide to the Great Outdoors. Fully interactive and searchable database of outdoors activities and resources in the Pittsburgh region.

Parks Agencies

• Allegheny County Parks Department

  Maintains nine county parks in the greater Pittsburgh area, which feature varied topography and hundreds of miles of trails.

• PA Department of Conservation + Natural Resources

  State agency charged with maintaining and preserving 116 state parks; managing 2.1 million acres of state forest land; providing information on the state's ecological and geologic resources; and establishing community conservation partnerships with grants and technical assistance to benefit rivers, trails, greenways, local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space and natural areas.

• Allegheny National Forest

  One of 155 National Forests manages by the USDA Forest Service. This vast tract of land, once almost barren, was set aside in 1931 and has since become a mature second-growth forest.

Trails Organizations

• Allegheny Trails Alliance

  Coalition of seven rails to trails organizations building the Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile trail connecting Cumberland, MD and Pittsburgh.

• DCNR Rails to Trails Guide

  PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources information on trails proposed, open and under construction.

• Friends of the Riverfront

  Increases awareness and engagement with the Pittsburgh region’s rivers and riverfronts through activities, stewardship and expansion of water and land trails.

• Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy

  A non-profit, volunteer-based organiz- ation dedicated to the development, protection, and promotion of hiking, biking, and walking trails throughout western Pennsylvania.

Water resources

• Lake Arthur Sailing Club

  LASC's mission is to promote organized recreational sailing and camaraderie among families of owners of sail boats moored in Davis Hollow Marina.

• PA Fish + Boat Commission

  State agency responsible for the protection and management of PA's aquatic resources. Issues fishing liscences and boat registrations.

• PAHuntandFish.com

  Site managed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Department of Community + Economic Development. Provides comprehensive information on hunting, fishing and nature watching opportunities in Pennsylvania.

• Pittsburgh Area Windriders

  Local windsurfing organization.

• RiverQuest

  A not-for-profit organization offering river-based educational adventures for students, teachers and the community. The mission is to provide opportunities for motivating students and developing critical thinking skills using hands-on approaches and technologies.

Local Cycling Organizations

• Allegheny Cycling Association

  Conducts and organizes bicycle racing for riders of all abilities within Western Pennsylvania and encourages nationwide competition of its members.

• Bike Pittsburgh

  Partners with local stakeholders to increase the safety and accessibility of bike transportation in the city through street, bridge and trail improvement. Also check out their Google Calendar of local events.

• Critical Mass

  A monthly ride through Oakland and Downtown aimed at encouraging the use of alternative transportation.

• Mt. Lebanon Cycling + Caffeine Club

  Recreational riding club located in the South Hills.

• Pedal Pittsburgh

  The region's premier cycling event celebrating design, health and fitness, and urban lifestyles.

• UPMC Cycling Performance

  Offers cyclists the latest physiologic testing services; treatment, and management of cycling-related injuries; technical consultation; and injury prevention.

• Western PA Wheelmen

  Founded in 1969; one of the largest cycling clubs in Pennsylvania.

Local Outdoors Organizations

• Allegheny Outdoor Club

  An organization based in northwestern Pennsylvania that maintains a weekly schedule of hosted hiking, biking, winter skiing activities and special events.

• Explorers Club of Pittsburgh

  Founded in 1947, the club is devoted to outdoor exploration and adventure in the western PA region. Members participate in activities as diverse as mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, caving, cycling, backpacking, environmental and community service projects, and a host of outdoor sports.

• Keystone Ramblers

  Local organization that maintains a schedule of hikes arranged into different themed series.

• Venture Outdoors

  A not-for-profit organization devoted to increasing participation in outdoor recreational activity through sponsorship of biking, hiking, kayaking, fishing, climbing, nature observation and skiing in the western PA region.