Fall is a particularly good excuse to get outside, whether you’re looking for a scenic outing, a little Halloween vibe, or something considerably more adrenaline-fueled. These adventures around Pittsburgh take you into the woods, across the water, and over the edge of an 876-foot bridge, with plenty of ways to experience the season beyond the usual fall-festival circuit. Though you can always use a trip to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch as an outdoor adventure, too.
The fall fun doesn’t stop here either. Check out our guide to Halloween in Pittsburgh for more events, costume ideas, spookily good recipes, and so much more.
Pittsburgh Fall Outdoor Activities To Add To Your Calendar
Powdermill Family Nature Walk
October 3 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, Rector
Spend a fall day as part scientist, part ethereal woodland creature at Powdermill Nature Reserve, where a peaceful family walk offers a welcome escape into the woods. Enjoy the greenery in a lush, healthy ecosystem about 55 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, with a gentle one-mile stroll through the reserve. Along the way, there will be plenty of stops to get up close with nature—you might touch young witch hazels and ironwoods, hold bugs, step through wildflowers, and explore the reserve’s stream.
Powdermill Nature Reserve is a living laboratory, where scientists conduct long-term studies of western Pennsylvania’s plants, animals, and ecosystems. For this walk, environmental educator Megan Moran will share facts about plants and phenology, the study of seasonal changes in the natural world. So the next time someone comments on how beautiful Pittsburgh’s autumn foliage is, you can authoritatively explain why the leaves are changing.
National Aviary Owl Prowls
October 9, 16 | Frick Park, Upper St. Clair
Admission $20–$25, Sold out, but you can join the waitlist.
Join the National Aviary for an evening owl prowl at Toms Run Nature Reserve. The evening combines a twilight walk through the nature preserve with the chance to see and listen for Pittsburgh’s native owl species. You’ll be led by Aviary ornithologist Robert Mulvihill, who has nearly 50 years of experience studying birds and has received multiple awards for his bird conservation work. During the walk, he’ll share insights into these nocturnal creatures, including their adaptations, behaviors, and more. Guests will also receive a printed guide to native and migrating owls—unlike most Pittsburgh locals, these birds can’t be identified by whether they’re in black and gold. Bring a flashlight and wear comfortable footwear. All participants must be at least 6 years old, and those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
National Aviary Owl Prowl Birdwatching Kayak Tour
October 11 | Allison Park
Admission: $75, Sold out, but you can join the waitlist.
The Aviary has partnered with L.L. Bean for this combination of birdwatching and kayaking in North Park. Two Aviary staffers—ornithologist Robert Mulvihill and educator and photographer Mike Faix—will join L.L. Bean’s professional guides to lead the twilight kayaking and walking tour. The evening starts at the park’s 75-acre lake, as the birds settle down for the night, before heading to nearby trails in search of native owl species, like the Eastern screech owl and great horned owl. No kayaking experience is necessary: L.L. Bean’s guides will give instructions and provide all the equipment, before everyone heads out onto the water. Binoculars will be provided, but guests should bring their own lights for the trails. Participants must be at least eight years old and above, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Frick Fall Foliage Walk
October 14, 29 | The Frick Pittsburgh
Admission: $10–$15
Throw on your favorite fall coat and channel a little When Harry Met Sally as you stroll through the ten acres of The Frick Pittsburgh and take in the changing foliage. This guided half-mile walk wends through the historic grounds, where autumn brings a spectacular display of color across dozens of tree varieties. A recognized arboretum, the Frick has an assortment of trees and shrubs, decorative and vegetable gardens, and an historic greenhouse.
The event is part of the Frick’s ongoing Living Collection Series, which uses the grounds as a backdrop for walks, tours, and lectures focused on the natural world. During this one-hour tour, you’ll get a closer look at the Frick’s landscape while learning about the trees and horticulture that make the grounds especially photogenic in fall.
In case you head inside The Frick Pittsburgh, don’t forget to stop by the French Moderns collection full of works from Matisse, Renoir, Degas, Rodin, and Monet.
Bridge Day
October 17 | New River Gorge Bridge, Oak Hill, West Virginia
If you’ve ever looked at skydiving and thought it wasn’t quite intense enough, Bridge Day’s BASE jumping is for you. Held at West Virginia’s New River Gorge Bridge, about a four-hour drive from Pittsburgh, the one-day event draws people from around the world to watch jumpers leap 876 feet from the third-highest bridge in the country. Rather than jumping from planes, these daredevils jump from buildings, antenna towers, bridges, and cliffs (earth)—the four categories that make up the acronym BASE. They still use parachutes to land, but unlike skydivers, BASE jumpers typically don’t have backup chutes. Bridge Day might not have an explicit Halloween theme, but whether you’re jumping or watching—probably through your fingers—it’s still one of the scariest things you’ll witness all year.
BASE jumping is inherently dangerous, so there are requirements for anyone who wants to participate and make the leap on Bridge Day. If you’re an experienced parachutist and want to participate, you must have at least 50 prior parachute, skydive, or BASE jumps. First-time Bridge Day jumpers must also complete training.
Even if you’re not leaping, Bridge Day offers plenty of activities worth the drive. Along with more than 160 vendors, there will be a 5K race, guided walks along the catwalk beneath the bridge, whitewater rafting, highlining, and rappelling.
Sights Beyond Our Eyes: A UV Walk After Dark
October 19 | Phipps Conservatory
Admission: $25–$29
Phipps looks a little different after dark. On this guided after-hours walk through the conservatory, participants will explore its plant collections under ultraviolet light, which reveals vibrant colors and details in flowers, lichen, and other organisms that aren’t visible under ordinary light. Instructor Jack Lachendro, an environmental education specialist at Point State Park, will explain the science behind the strange new spectrum, including how humans see UV light differently from other species. Lachendro’s fascination with the natural world’s hidden colors has led to discoveries about the way certain organisms glow under UV light, making him the perfect guide for this unusual tour. The conservatory will be dark during the walk, so bring a small flashlight and wear comfortable walking shoes.
North Ridge Nightmare Trail Race
October 24 | North Park, Allison Park
Registration: $55–$60
Costumes are optional but encouraged during this Halloween-themed race through North Park, which promises fun, scares, and picturesque autumn foliage. Runners—or walkers—can choose either the 6.66k (4 miles) or 13k (8 miles) course. Both courses mix flat trails, climbs, and uneven terrain, with possible rocks, mud, and roots adding to the challenge.
For the run, the wooded trails have been adorned with ominous Halloween decorations, and costume characters will occasionally jump out. Participants will also be running on what’s known as the most haunted street in Pittsburgh: Irwin Road, also referred to as Blue Mist Road. This isolated street has plenty of spooky tales associated with it, but is best known for the eerie, bluish mist that shrouds it at night.
If you’re only there for the North Park Trail Runners post-race trick-or-treating, no judgment. You’ll definitely want to stop into the Rose Barn afterward to get your trick-or-treat bags and race swag.
After your busy day outdoors, cozy up inside with our apple cider and pumpkin recipes that you can make at home.
About the Author
Anna Montesanti is a freelance journalist in the Pittsburgh region. She recently graduated with her B.A. in nonfiction writing from University of Pittsburgh and is obtaining her master’s in journalism from Emerson College. She loves covering pop culture and local happenings, and in her free time you can find her trying local coffee shops and walking in Pittsburgh’s gorgeous parks.
Featured Photo From North Ridge Nightmare Trail Race
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