HomePennsylvaniaPittsburgh › Riding Meadow Park

Riding Meadow Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 136 Google reviews · Running trail in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Riding Meadow Park'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.

Natural surfaceOpen 24hScenicDog-friendlyFlat & fastTrailhead parking

Off-leash dog park, also good for humans, with a creek and a waterfall.

What runners say about Riding Meadow Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (136 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Never an issue here, a great little retreat that allows dogs off leash, and has a clean creek for dogs to romp in.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Nice scenic hiking trails, as well as a meadow, little waterfall, and creeks for dogs to play in.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“I always have a good time here, and my dogs love to splash in the stream.”

I have no clue how this park doesn’t have 5 stars all around and I’m confused who gave it 1 star. This is the best dog park in Pittsburgh. It’s trails and a creek and dogs are free to roam all over. It’s a dream.

★★★★★ — Allie , Jul 2022

Beautiful dog park close to the city but makes you feel like you are out in the country. The dogs can be off leash and there are plenty of trails and creek spots for the puppers to swim.

★★★★★ — Christine , May 2022

It is a nice park with lots of trails. Its carpark is fairly hidden, and parking is by permit only. The entrance to the carpark is on Squaw Run E Rd, directly opposite the by-foot only walking trail entrance going into the park. The carpark is fairly large with space for 20 or so cars.

★★★★★ — Adrian , Mar 2021

A wonderful off-leash dog park that doesn't feel like a dog park at all! There are lots of hiking trails, creeks, and open areas for dogs to play. (Note: It's not good for dogs who have bad recall as it's not fenced in on all sides and there are a lot of places for a dog to hide.)

★★★★★ — Veronica , Jan 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 136 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 51 mentions

“I love this off-leash dog park because there are trails to hike and lots of places for your dog to play in the stream.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 11 mentions

“Must purchase parking permit for calendar year from library ahead of time- would be nice to have a day pass option.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“Nice scenic hiking trails, as well as a meadow, little waterfall, and creeks for dogs to play in.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 3 mentions

“The tree protection tubes act as little greenhouses during root establishment in the first few years of growth.”

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Flat & fast 3 mentions

“You can easily stay on flat wide trails, or you can hike some narrower trails with a bit of a climb.”

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Plan your run at Riding Meadow Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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.
  • Websitefox-chapel.pa.us
  • Phone(412) 963-1100

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 Riding Meadow Park

900 Riding Meadow Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Get directions

Running trails near Pittsburgh

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

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Paved

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O'Hara Township Community Park

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Green space featuring tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts, plus playgrounds, and a walking trail.

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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.