Point State Park | Pittsburgh

Point State Park

Overview

Point State Park occupies 36 acres at Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle,” where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers merge to form the Ohio. Designated a National Historic Landmark, the park preserves the strategic tip of land once occupied by 18th-century forts while offering green space, riverfront trails, and the city’s signature fountain.

Historical Significance

1754 – French forces build Fort Duquesne on the site during the French and Indian War.

1758 – British army captures the point and erects Fort Pitt, one of the largest frontier fortifications in North America.

1763 – Fort Pitt withstands siege during Pontiac’s Rebellion.

1920s – Industrial rail yards cover the point; preservationists lobby for a public park.

1974 – Point State Park opens after decades of urban renewal; archaeological remnants of both forts are incorporated into the design.

Key Features

The Fountain – A 150-foot water jet marks river mile 0 of the Ohio; powered by an underground pump room drawing water from an aquifer 54 feet below the surface. Night lighting varies seasonally.

Fort Pitt Block House – Built 1764; the region’s oldest standing structure, operated as a free museum by the Fort Pitt Society.

Fort Pitt Museum – Two-story museum inside a reconstructed bastion, with exhibits on frontier history, the fur trade, and Native alliances (admission fee).

Riverwalks – Paved trails along the north and south riverbanks connect to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail system and Great Allegheny Passage.

Great Lawn – Six acres of open grass used for picnics, sports, and large events such as the Three Rivers Arts Festival and Fourth-of-July fireworks.

Kayak and SUP Launches – Floating docks on the Allegheny side provide river access for paddle sports.

Interpretive Ruins – Low brick outlines trace the original walls of Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt; informational panels explain military layout and archaeology.

Visitor Information (2025)

Hours – Open daily 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. The fountain operates roughly April through October, weather permitting.

Admission – Park grounds, riverwalks, and fountain are free. Fees apply only to the Fort Pitt Museum.

Parking – Closest garage is the 1,700-space Gateway Center Garage beneath the park’s eastern edge; limited metered street spaces nearby.

Restrooms – Year-round facilities located near the museum; seasonal portable units on the Great Lawn during major events.

Accessibility – All main paths and the museum entrance are wheelchair-accessible; courtesy beach wheelchairs available for river launches with 48-hour notice.

Events & Activities

Spring – Pittsburgh Earth Day Festival, Venture Outdoors Kayak Pittsburgh season opens.

Summer – Three Rivers Arts Festival (early June), Fourth of July “Flashes of Freedom” fireworks, weekly yoga on the lawn, free evening concerts.

Fall – Pittsburgh Irish Festival run finish line, river regattas, peak foliage walks along the tree-lined promenades.

Winter – Holiday fireworks on New Year’s Eve; snowshoe rentals available through partner outfitters when conditions allow.

Nearby Connections

The park sits at the western terminus of the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail (335 miles to Cumberland, Maryland, then on to Washington, D.C. via the C & O Canal Towpath). A short walk across the Fort Duquesne Bridge reaches the North Shore stadiums, while the T-light-rail Gateway Station lies one block east.

Tips for Visitors

Arrive an hour before sunset for golden-hour photos of the fountain and skyline.

Pack a blanket for lunch on the Great Lawn; food trucks frequent the promenade on summer weekends.

Combine a museum visit with a leisurely two-mile loop walk around Point, North Shore, and the Roberto Clemente Bridge.

During large events, bike or use light rail to avoid traffic and garage queues.

Point State Park offers a blend of history, recreation, and dramatic river scenery—an essential stop for anyone exploring Pittsburgh.