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Rachel Carson Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 24 Google reviews · Running trail in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Rachel Carson Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Rachel Carson Trail — running trail in Gibsonia, PA, photo 1
Rachel Carson Trail — running trail in Gibsonia, PA, photo 2
Rachel Carson Trail — running trail in Gibsonia, PA, photo 3
Rachel Carson Trail — running trail in Gibsonia, PA, photo 4
Rachel Carson Trail — running trail in Gibsonia, PA, photo 5
MixedOpen 24hDog-friendlyTrailhead parking

What runners say about Rachel Carson Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (24 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

One of the Pittsburgh area's natural treasures. Keep an eye out for those blazes though, as getting off trail is quite easy! Also watch out for jerk offs on their ATVs who shouldn't be there.

★★★★★ — Dan , Dec 2018

It is a trail, 34 miles long. Named after Rachel Carson, whose childhouse is near the trail.

★★★★☆ — John , Jun 2019

Great local hiking trail. A hidden gem. The landscape along this trail is incredibly scenic despite the proximity to the neighborhoods and commercial areas of northern Allegheny County.

★★★★★ — Talman , Jan 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 24 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

“Muddy but the trees cut down”

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🛣️ Paved surface

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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Plan your run at Rachel Carson Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiterachelcarsontrails.org
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Rachel Carson Trail

Rachel Carson Trail, Gibsonia, PA 15044

Get directions

Running trails near Gibsonia

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Blue Mist Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 16 reviews

Gibsonia, PA

under a mile away

North Park Purple Trail

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

Allison Park, PA

1.0 miles away

Flanders Grove

4.6 ★★★★★ 16 reviews

Wexford, PA

1.0 miles away

Green Trail Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

Allison Park, PA

1.0 miles away

North Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 5,115 reviews

Allison Park, PA

ScenicDog-friendly

Public park with ample recreation opportunities including a nature center, ice rink & swimming pool.

1.5 miles away

Irwin Run Conservation Area

4.3 ★★★★☆ 22 reviews

Gibsonia, PA

Dog-friendly

2.0 miles away

All running trails in Gibsonia, PA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.