About
North Park is the largest park in the Allegheny County network, consisting of just over 3,000 acres. The next closest park in size is South Park, which is approximately 1,000 acres smaller. North Park was dedicated in 1927. The Park has not stopped growing since, including the construction of miles and miles of North Park Trails.
Three crown jewels taking up large chunks of the 3,000 acres include a 75-acre lake, a 2.5 million gallon pool, and the Latodami Nature Center. North Park holds about 40 miles of volunteer-maintained trail, including the Rachel Carson Trail. Aside from mountain biking and trail running on the North Park Trails, there are many other amenities and attractions in North Park discussed below in the Other Activities section. To find out more about the history of Noth Park (and South Park), check out local historian, Rick Sebak’s video on WQED.
Recent Improvements to the North Park Trails
As indicated in the first installment (Settlers Cabin Park) of mountain biking and trail running the Allegheny County parks series, the Parks Foundation plays an active role in improving Allegheny County’s parks. Their efforts at North Park are no different. Recent improvements have centered around improving safety on the Lake Shore Loop or Lake Trail. The trail is a paved five-mile loop around the lake, and the Foundation is focusing on protecting users from the heavy vehicular traffic traversing the roads abutting the loop.
Although unpaved trail users may not be very excited about a paved loop, it provides a great outlet for those using the unpaved trails. The loop can be used to shorten a ride or to skip less desirable unpaved sections. Thus, the Foundation’s efforts should be appreciated by all.
Other Activities
North Park offers the most diverse array of activities in the Allegheny County Parks’ network. Those non-trail related activities include archery, baseball, basketball, boating, fishing, Go Ape Treetop Adventures, a Freeride Area Skills Park, an 18-hole golf course, ice skating and hockey, off-leash dog areas, platform tennis, a pool, radio control airplanes, and tennis. As indicated in the About section above, North Park houses a nature center. It even has a flag retirement plaza, which who knew that was a thing.
Description of the North Park Trails
Generally speaking, the North Park Trails consist of everything from beginner to more advanced. The trails included in the mountain biking and trail running routes are mostly what the Hub considers intermediate. The trails are undulating and contain rocky and rooty sections. A few sections contain short, steep ascents and descents, but are mostly undulating. There are very few sustained flat sections. North Park does offer some beginner, family-friendly trails, but they are not included in the below routes. For more beginner-friendly trails, see the link above or The Unpaved Hub’s Settlers Cabin Park Trails post.
County Trail Blaze Project
Most of the North Park Trails had previously been color-coded (also known as blazing). It appears that the County is revising the blazes. Thus, some of the trail blazes are subject to change. You will find that some of the blazes change quickly (i.e., Red/Yellow Trails), the Red and Yellow Trails are rather incongruously dispersed throughout the trail system, and a few trails have yet to be assigned a color.
Weather Considerations
North Park is probably the best Allegheny County park at shedding water. It also has one of the largest volunteer bases of all the County parks, which makes a big difference. The only noteworthy area that holds water is on the Red Trail between pictures #10 and #12 of the MTB Route. This is a recent problem, possibly due to a water line break or natural spring. Volunteers have been hard at work building rock armored trail-bed where the water crosses the trail.
The Hub’s Take on the North Park Trails
The North Park Trails are the gold standard of the County network. The trails are some of the most well-maintained in the Pittsburgh area, and there are more miles of trail than in any other area park. However, with the title comes baggage. There are more trail users on the North Park network than any other County park. For some that may be an advantage – there are more people around in the event of an accident or the added traffic may make you feel more secure and less isolated. For many, it is a negative. Many take to the woods to get away from the hustle and bustle of (city) life. More trail users take away from that experience. Even if you fall in the latter category, the North Park Trails are worth the increased trail traffic, especially to mix it up or ride when other area parks are wet.
North Park Trails MTB Route
MTB Route Turn-by-Turn Directions
The Unpaved Hub is the process of creating turn-by-turn directions with trailhead pictures and mile markers for each intersection. Please check back periodically for instructions on how you can get a copy.
North Park Trail Running Route
Trail Running Route Turn-by-Turn Directions
The Unpaved Hub is the process of creating turn-by-turn directions with trailhead pictures and mile markers for each intersection. Please check back periodically for instructions on how you can get a copy.
Directions to the North Park Trails
Post-Activity Aprés Suggestions
North Park is in close proximity to many, many restaurants and amenities. However, there aren’t any breweries within 10 miles. The closest establishment of note is the Over the Bar Bicycle Café, which is located in the North Park boathouse. Very convenient. The food is pretty solid, and it has a good selection of local/craft brews. Another option (and always one of my top suggestions) is the small, locally-owned chain Mad Mex, which is about six miles away. Great cal-mex, and an impeccable local/craft beer list. You can also grab some mex-themed drinks if that’s your thing.
Prior to COVID-19, local Chef Justin Severino was due to open a California-inspired cafe in Trailflo Bikes (an awesome shop, BTW) on Babcock Boulevard, within minutes of North Park. The café is gonna double as an East End Brewing taproom (solid, solid brews and people, no doubt). Like many things in 2020, the opening date is unclear, but keep an eye out for this spot. It is sure to be a gem.
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