Point State Park

Visitors can walk along ADA accessible paved promenades on the riverfront and to overlooks for dramatic views of Pittsburgh, its busy waterways, scenic hillsides and many bridges. Natural landscaping and a 100-foot tall fountain enhance the beauty of this unique park at the “Forks of the Ohio.” Numerous benches are throughout the park. Visitors may picnic on the lawns. A stepped wall along the Allegheny River section of the park provides seating for outdoor events.

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Boating: electric motors only

The three rivers provide boating for most sizes and types of recreational boats. Dock cleats are available along the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers for boaters to moor during the day at the park.

Motorboats must display a current boat registration. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks, available at most state park offices; launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

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Fishing: The three rivers are a warm-water fishery. Common species are sauger, walleye, catfish, panfish and various bass species. The wharf area provides a fishing pier for people with disabilities on each river. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply.

Complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

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Hiking, Boating and Biking Trails

Three Rivers Heritage Trail: The Three Rivers Heritage Trail (TRHT) is a pedestrian trail and greenway system in the Pittsburgh area, covering 37 miles along both sides of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. It is a nearly complete route for cyclists, walkers, and runners, and in some places rollerbladers. In addition, over 20 miles of trail are in planning or development phases. The TRHT also connects to the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), the developing Erie to Pittsburgh Trail and the Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway. www.traillink.com/trail/three-rivers-heritage-trail-system.aspx

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Three Rivers Water Trail: This National Recreation Trail is a series of boat launching points on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers that aids non-powered boaters in exploring the three rivers and the city of Pittsburgh. Red paddle signs orient water trail users from the land and water to amenities like launching ramps, interpretive signs, canoe/kayak racks and parking lots. The trail was created and is maintained by the Friends of the Riverfront, a volunteer group that promotes stewardship of the rivers. www.friendsoftheriverfront.org/files/water_trail.html

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Great Allegheny Passage: The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) rail trail offers 141 miles of hiking and biking between Cumberland, MD and Point State Park, in Pittsburgh. In Cumberland, the GAP joins the C&O Canal Towpath, creating a continuous trail experience, 325 miles long, to Washington, DC. The ten-foot wide multipurpose trail is built on railroad corridors of gentle grades, sweeping curves, large bridges and tunnels that pass through mountains, not over them. The terminus of the GAP is at the Forks of the Ohio marker near the fountain in Point State Park.

The trail system links the Cumberland and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas, providing visitors with an opportunity to travel through and learn about a region important to the development of national culture and politics. George Washington envisioned the Potomac River as a trade route linking the Atlantic Ocean and the upper Ohio River Basin. The history of the region and the tangible character of the trail corridor itself highlight the concept of “the frontier” in American culture and the westward migration of Anglo-American society into the trans-Appalachian region of the continent.

The Great Allegheny Passage is a part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, which is a diverse network of trails and routes running between Point State Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Point Lookout in Maryland. The Fort Pitt Museum is an official National Park Service Passport stamp location for the trail.

www.gaptrail.org

GPS: Lat. 40.44189 Long. -80.01324

Environmental Education and Interpretation

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Point State Park offers a variety of environmental education, interpretive and recreational programs. Through these programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources. Programs are offered seasonally, from spring through fall. Programs for student groups are available.

Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.

Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.

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Historical Interpretation

Monuments, plaques and markers throughout the park commemorate events and people of historic importance at the Forks of the Ohio.

The location of Fort Duquesne is marked by a granite tracery (outline) within the Great Lawn. The center of the tracery contains a bronze medallion depicting the fort. The locations of four of the five bastions, projecting parts of the fortification, of Fort Pitt have been delineated.

The Flag Bastion and the Monongahela Bastion have been reconstructed of brick. The Flag Bastion overlooks the Monongahela River and the parking lot. The Fort Pitt Museum is housed in the Monongahela Bastion. Both the Music Bastion, located in the city-side lawn area, and the Ohio Bastion, located in the plaza across from the museum and block house, are marked by granite traceries. The traceries of both Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt are lit by LED lights for a spectacular view from above at night.

The original location of the river’s edge during the mid-1700s is depicted by a granite tracery within the Great Lawn.

Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.

Fort Pitt Museum: The Fort Pitt Museum is a two-floor, 12,000-squarefoot museum that tells the story of western Pennsylvania’s pivotal role during the French & Indian War, the American Revolution and the birth of Pittsburgh. Built on the footprint of the original Fort Pitt’s Monongahela Bastion, the museum’s façade allows visitors to sense the enormous size of what was, at that time, the second largest fort in North America.

Through interactive exhibitions, life-like historical figures and numerous artifacts, visitors can learn about the important role the region played in shaping the United States. Operated by the Senator John Heinz History Center, the museum is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special programs and group tours are available throughout the year. Please contact the museum to inquire about programs or tours at 412-281-9284.

www.heinzhistorycenter.org

GPS: Lat. 40.44097 Long. -80.0094

Fort Pitt Blockhouse: The Fort Pitt Block House was built in 1764 as a small defensive redoubt and is the only surviving structure of Fort Pitt, a key British fortification during the French and Indian War, which also served as the western headquarters of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

The Block House was originally constructed to help defend Fort Pitt from American Indian attacks during the mid-18th century. After the British abandoned the fort in 1772, the Block House turned into a trading post for a number of years. By 1785, the building was converted into a single family dwelling. During the 19th century it became a multi-family tenement with a family living on the second floor.

In 1894, the Block House was gifted to the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution by the structure’s owner, Mary Croghan Schenley. The chapter embarked upon a 16-month restoration, which primarily involved the in-filling of window and door openings cut into the Block House during its century-long use as a residence.

The Block House is still owned and operated by the Fort Pitt Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. It has remained free and open to the public since 1895. The structure is the oldest architectural landmark in Pittsburgh, and it is also the nation’s only authenticated pre-Revolutionary War structure west of the Allegheny Mountains. Much of its architectural fabric is intact, including the stone foundation, bricks and timber elements that are largely original to its 1764 construction. For hours of operation call 412-471-1764.

GPS: Lat. 40.44115 Long. -80.0097

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Access for People with Disabilities

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The main park entrance, walkways, restrooms and drinking water fountains are ADA accessible.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

 

The Nature of Point

Over two acres to the north and south of the Great Lawn are planted with 54,000 native plants that represent the plants that would have been on the site in the mid-18th century. Using historically correct plants is a defining feature of the original 1953 landscape design for the park. The Woodlands are edged by natural boulders to retain a one-foot level above the lawn and to protect the loose soil needed for the plants to thrive. Some plants that can be seen include dogwood, redbud, honey locust, blueberry, hydrangea, wild phlox, mayapple, wild geranium and hay-scented fern. Native plants can also be found at the Overlook.

Areas like the Woodlands and lawns at Point provide important open and natural space among the urban environment. Urban green spaces provide a natural setting in a built environment, while also providing ecological benefits. The trees and plants at Point reduce pollution as they absorb carbon dioxide, which is emitted from vehicles on the nearby highways.

Green space can even cool down the city of Pittsburgh in the summer heat. In cities, asphalt, concrete and buildings absorb solar radiation and reemit it as heat, causing air temperatures to rise. Trees and plants reduce and shade these urban surfaces and help to reduce this heating effect known as the ‘urban heat island.’

The natural areas of Point attract wildlife even in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. Native plants, like those in the woodlands, provide the right food and shelter for Pennsylvania’s wildlife to survive. At Point, visitors may see squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, sparrows, woodpeckers, chickadees, orioles and warblers.

Three Rivers

Point State Park is at the meeting place of rivers, which is called a confluence.

The Monongahela River, which originates in Fairmont, West Virginia, flows northward over 128 miles to Pittsburgh and drains southwestern Pennsylvania and parts of West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia. The name of the river is derived from the American Indian name Menaungehilla which means “high banks breaking off and falling down at places” and is descriptive of the often-muddy appearance of the water.

The Allegheny River is derived from the American Indian name Alligewihanna which translates to “stream of the Alligewi” in reference to the tribe that lived in the region. The river begins 325 miles upriver from Pittsburgh near Coudersport, Pennsylvania and drains northwestern Pennsylvania and part of New York.

These two rivers meet at Point State Park, beginning the Ohio River. The Ohio River flows 981 miles to Cairo, Illinois where it joins the Mississippi River which reaches the Gulf of Mexico by New Orleans, Louisiana. Early inhabitants and explorers to the region considered the Ohio and Allegheny rivers to be one river. It was named Ohi-io by the Seneca meaning “River Beautiful” and listed on maps by French explorers as La Belle Riviere meaning "Beautiful River".

Fountain

The majestic fountain at the headwaters of the Ohio River was dedicated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on August 30, 1974, marking the completion of the 36-acre Point State Park which was 29 years in planning and construction.

The newly renovated fountain features a raised fountain base, easily accessible seating, an infinity edge waterfall, new stone paving, new plumbing and new lighting.

When the fountain is operating, over 500,000 gallons of water are in the system. Six 150 hp pumps power the central column of water, the infinity edge waterfall and the three peacock tail water features, which represent the three rivers.

The circular basin of the fountain is 200 feet in diameter. The water within the fountain is re-circulated. Water to replace the amount lost during fountain operations is obtained from a 54-foot deep well that penetrates sands and gravels under the park. These sands and gravels are below the groundwater table and are saturated with water that infiltrates from the adjoining rivers.

The fountain is operated daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. weather permitting, during the spring, summer and fall seasons.

 

During a trip to negotiate with the French in 1753, Lieutenant George Washington, in the Virginia militia, passed through the land that would become Point State Park. He wrote about it in his journal.

"As I got down before the Canoe, I spent some Time in viewing the Rivers, and the Land in the Fork; which I think extremely well situated for a Fort, as it has the absolute Command of both Rivers. The Land at the Point is 20 or 25 Feet above the common Surface of the Water; and a considerable Bottom of flat, well-timbered Land all around it, very convenient for Building: The Rivers are each a Quarter of a Mile, or more, across, and run here very near at right Angles: Aligany bearing N. E. and Monongahela S. E. The former of these two is a very rapid and swift running Water; the other deep and still, without any perceptible fall."

By George he was right!

During the mid-1700s, the armies of France and Great Britain vied for control of the Ohio Valley. Four different forts were built at the forks of the Ohio within a period of five years.

In 1754, French forces captured an outpost known as Fort Prince George at the Point that had been erected by a force of Virginians. George Washington led British forces to recapture the fort, but suffered his first and only surrender at Fort Necessity, 50 miles to the south.

The French then built Fort Duquesne at the Forks, which gave them control of the Ohio Valley. In 1755, General George Braddock led the British to capture the forks, but was defeated at the Battle of the Monongahela, eight miles from the fort.

In 1758, a British army of 6,000 lead by General John Forbes, marched west from Carlisle. Forbes stopped at Fort Ligonier, 50 miles to the southeast and made final preparations for the assault on Fort Duquesne.

The French, realizing they were badly outnumbered, burned the fort and departed two days before the British arrived on November 25, 1758. The British built a temporary fort called Mercer’s Fort which was used until construction of Fort Pitt began in 1759. Fort Pitt, named in honor of William Pitt, secretary of state of Britain, was to be the most extensive fortification by the British in North America.

The French were never to regain control as their other outposts in the region fell to the British. The only further action at Fort Pitt was in 1763 when it withstood American Indian attacks during Pontiac’s Insurrection.

Fort Pitt was sold in 1772 and then reclaimed in 1774 by the Virginia Territory. In 1777, the Continental Army used Fort Pitt for its western headquarters. Troops and supplies were stockpiled to defend the new United States. The first Peace Treaty between the American Indians and the United States was signed at Fort Pitt in 1778. Fort Pitt was finally abandoned in 1792 due to its deteriorating condition. It had served to open the frontier to settlement as Pittsburgh became the ‘‘Gateway to the West.’’

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Volunteering

Like to spend time in the outdoors, meet friendly people and help make Pennsylvania State Parks great? Volunteering at a park might be for you.

Becoming a Conservation Volunteer is easy.

• Sign up to be a Conservation Volunteer
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• Contact your local state park directly and ask for the Conservation Volunteer coordinator - you'll be hooked up with an interesting and appropriate project in Pennsylvania's natural resources.
   

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

Believing that each generation is responsible for leaving behind a better legacy of good conservation, the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) was created in 1999 to give supporters and users of Pennsylvania's parks and forests a positive way to contribute to the conservation of our publicly-owned properties. The Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation welcomes the support of individuals and businesses who share a commitment to conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural, scenic, and recreational areas of this commonwealth. www.paparksandforests.org

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Education Programs

We love when young people ask us how to get involved!

DiscoverE has programs for young people ages 4 to 17, provided by Pennsylvania State Park educators. By combining recreation and education, we hope to motivate children to learn more and return often, leading to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment and conservation leadership. 

In Watershed Education, teachers and students assess water quality of a local stream on a quarterly basis and develop strategies to solve local water quality problems. 

ECO Camp - Exploring Careers Outdoors - is a week-long residential camp for a cross-section of high school youth from across Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Participate in action-packed, hands on activities and recreational adventures in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests that expose youth to conservation, recreation and careers in natural resources. Learn how people make a living working in the outdoors.

Explore education for more information on these and other programs.

Explore the Calendar of Events to find a program near you.

iConservePA

Do you take conservation personally? iConservePA is a Web site managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources whose vision is to inspire citizens to value their natural resources, engage in conservation practices and experience the outdoors. Take conservation personally.

Come Work with Us

Pennsylvania State Parks and the Department of Conservation and Natrual Resources offer a wide range of civil service and non-civil service jobs, from foresters, to rangers, to engineers, to educators, to botanists and so much more. Learn what is currently available.

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Point State Park

Nearby Attractions

Numerous events and attractions are held in and around Point State Park. The Venture Outdoors Festival, Pittsburgh Marathon, Three Rivers Art Festival, Three Rivers Regatta, Richard S. Caliguire Great Race and the Santa Spectacular are some of the events held within the park.

Information on year-round events and walking tours of the city is available from the Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau. www.visitpittsburgh.com

Maps and Downloadables

Below are many of the maps and publications for this park. You can read them or download them and might need special software (all free) to view the publications.

You must have the free Adobe Reader to view the maps and brochures that are in pdf format (.pdf).

Alternate versions of the text of the brochures are in rich text and text formats. Click on the files to view them. To download (.rtf) files:
For Windows users, right click on the link then left click on "Save target as" to download the file to your computer. For Mac users, hold down the "Options" button and click on the link, then select "Save" to download the file to your computer.

Recreational Guide

Point State Park Map (.pdf) (350 kb, 5/13)
Point State Park Recreational Guide (.pdf) (988 kb, 5/13)
    large print version of the guide text (.rtf)

Interactive GIS Map

The Interactive GIS Map uses Geographic Information Systems to create a map that does not need to be downloaded and features driving directions, searchable park amenities and customizable maps. Please note that the background maps are maintained by a variety of public sources and driving directions usually go to the nearest large road.