Pittsburgh, PA: where rivers converge and adventure begins.
Have you ever considered exploring the beautiful waters of Pittsburgh on a paddle board?
Discover the best places to paddle board in Pittsburgh as we navigate through the city’s charming waterways.
Join us, and let’s dive into the Steel City’s picturesque paddling spots. Ready to embark on this journey?
Map
Planning Your Paddle in Pittsburgh
Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024, rental counts come from OpenStreetMap. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.
- Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from April through October. July is the warmest month, averaging 84 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
- Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.
- Rentals nearby: OpenStreetMap lists one place within 16 miles that hires out boards, kayaks or canoes: Kayak Pittsburgh Aspinwall. Call ahead, opening times outside the main season are short.
Where to Paddle Board in Pittsburgh
Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!
#1 Three Rivers
- 🏖️ Location Type: River
- 📍️ Access Point: North Shore Riverfront Park (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm river waters, occasional winds
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, geese, songbirds
- 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Downtown Pittsburgh skyline, Point State Park, bridges
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect waterway regulations
Three Rivers, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River, is an iconic paddleboarding spot in Pittsburgh.
Trim your sails by the city skyline, pass under historic bridges, and enjoy majestic views of Point State Park.
#2 Lake Arthur, Moraine State Park
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
- 📍️ Access Point: McDanels Launch Area (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm lake waters, occasional winds
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, geese, fish
- 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Wooded shorelines, Moraine State Park
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Avoid swimming areas, respect park regulations
Lake Arthur, nestled within Moraine State Park just an hour’s drive from Pittsburgh, is a popular lake for paddleboarding.
This tranquil lake offers over 3,000 acres of smooth water, and its wooded shorelines create a peaceful environment for paddling and wildlife encounters.
#3 North Park Lake
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
- 📍️ Access Point: Boat House (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm lake waters, mild winds
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, geese, fish
- 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: North Park, lush surroundings
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect local rules, watch for other watercrafts
Located just 20 minutes north of downtown Pittsburgh, North Park Lake is a relaxing paddleboarding destination.
With 75 acres of serene water surrounded by lush parklands, it’s perfect for paddlers looking for a quick escape from the city.
#4 Allegheny River
- 🏖️ Location Type: River
- 📍️ Access Point: Millvale Riverfront Park (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle river currents, light breezes
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, geese, occasional eagles
- 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Pittsburgh city skyline, riverbanks
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect waterway rules
The Allegheny River runs parallel to downtown Pittsburgh and offers an exciting paddleboard experience.
Skim the urban riverbanks or take in breathtaking views of the city skyline while navigating this historic waterway.
#5 Aspinwall Riverfront Park
- 🏖️ Location Type: Riverfront
- 📍️ Access Point: Kayak Pittsburgh Aspinwall (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle river currents, occasional winds
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, geese, songbirds
- 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Aspinwall Marina, Allegheny River views
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect waterway and marina regulations
Aspinwall Riverfront Park offers a scenic waterside location for paddleboarding along the Allegheny River.
With easy access to the river and stunning marina views, this park is a great spot for both beginners and experienced paddleboarders alike.
#6 Raccoon Creek State Park
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
- 📍️ Access Point: Raccoon Lake Boat Launch (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm lake waters, occasional winds
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, geese, fish
- 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Wooded shorelines, Raccoon Creek State Park
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boats, avoid swimming areas, respect park rules
Raccoon Creek State Park, located about 30 minutes west of Pittsburgh, offers paddleboarding in a serene, natural environment.
Raccoon Lake’s calm waters are ideal for relaxing paddles and enjoying the wooded park scenery.
What to Take With You
Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.
- Typefoam, paddle cut
- ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada
Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding
- Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
- Swivelstwo in-line
- RatingIP68 certified, 1 m for 30 minutes
- Floatsyes
- Capacity20 L, range from 10 to 55 L
- Material500D PVC tarpaulin
Every model we tested: The 9 Best Dry Bags for Paddle Boarding
- Typetall neoprene boot
- Thickness3 mm
FAQ
Where can you paddle board in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh affords ample paddle boarding opportunities with top spots being Three Rivers Water Trail, North Shore, and North Park Lake.
Do paddle boards need to get registered in Pittsburgh?
In Pittsburgh, paddle boards do not require registration.
When is the best time to paddle board in Pittsburgh?
The ideal time for paddle boarding in Pittsburgh spans from late spring to early fall when weather conditions are typically warmer.
Paddle Boarding Near Pittsburgh
Looking for another spot on the same trip? These guides cover the closest paddling waters we have mapped around Pittsburgh.
- Ohio (127 miles west)
- West Virginia (142 miles south)
- Columbus (156 miles west)
- Charleston, WV (169 miles southwest)
