If you’re a dog owner in Pittsburgh, you’ve probably heard of Frick Park. Covering over 644 acres, it’s the largest park in the city and a major asset for anyone who loves the outdoors, especially dog lovers.

I’ve been hiking in Frick Park with my dogs for over 20 years, and I’m still discovering new trails!

Whether you’re new to the park or you already have a favorite well-worn trail, there’s something for every dog and dog lover to enjoy here.

In this post, I’ll share my favorite things about hiking with my dogs in Frick Park, where to park to access the best trails, and why I avoid the fenced-in dog parks.

Why Frick Park is Perfect for Hiking with Dogs

With miles of wooded trails, hills and meadows, Frick Park offers a beautiful nature escape for both dogs and humans.

There are several trailheads to explore, and depending on the route you take, you can enjoy a mix of open fields, shaded paths, and streams perfect for your dog to cool off in. The park reaches from Squirrel Hill and Point Breeze, across Fern Hollow to Regent Square and down to Swisshelm Park along Nine Mile Run.

Because of how spread out the park is, the experience of taking your dog to Frick Park is always unique. You can walk a different route every day or take a rest on a bench you never noticed before.

For example, just last week I discovered a “new-to-me” trail after 20+ years of hiking here! My dogs are older now and we typically stick to shorter walks – around a mile of leisurely sniffing is perfect for us! Since we really take our time, I have the chance to notice hidden trails cut into the woods.

One of my favorite things about hiking in Frick Park is how it changes with the seasons. In winter, the park is peaceful and quiet. We often have the trails to ourselves. Just be careful that’s it’s not too cold to walk the dog. 

In summer, the park is completely different with the trees all filled in, bikers and runners cross-crossing the trails. But even on hot summer days, it’s always a little cooler in the park versus walking around our neighborhood because of all the shade from the trees.

Plus, my dogs can always find water in the streams if they really want to cool off. The deep part of Nine Mile Run right beyond the soccer field is where Lucy first learned to swim with some other labs we knew at the time.

Where to Park When Visiting Frick Park with Your Dog

Parking at Frick Park can be a bit tricky if you’re new to the area. One of the best places to park for easy access to the dog-friendly hiking trails is at the Frick Environmental Center parking lot at the Beechwood Blvd entrance.

This parking area offers quick access to the main trails. There are also bathrooms and water fountains there. From this lot you can get anywhere in Frick Park. You could walk from Squirrel Hill to Regent Square, cutting through the park.

Another great place to park is near the Bowling Green across from The Frick Museum. You’ll have to find a street spot, but there are usually plenty along Reynolds Street. This is also a great place to get on the trails, with a few options for how to get started.

What about if you don’t want your dog to hike up and down any hills? If that’s the case, I recommend you park on the Regent Square side of Frick. There’s a lower parking lot that you can find by turning down Hutchinson Street, towards Frick Park.

This puts you close to the Swisshelm Park side of the park. But you can also easily walk over towards Point Breeze and go under the rebuild Fern Hollow Bridge.

One more option you might see for parking and trail access is to go in the park along Beechwood Blvd at Blue Slide Park. Although a lot of dog people use this entrance, if you’re driving to the park I would pick somewhere else to start from. There’s a big playground and lots of kids at that entrance making it stressful for some dogs (and some kids).

Why I Avoid the Fenced-In Dog Parks

While I love Frick Park for its hiking trails, it also has an Off-Leash Exercise Area (OLEA) specifically for dogs. This fenced-in area is located behind the Blue Slide Playground off Beechwood Blvd.

However, I personally avoid these off-leash dog parks, and here’s why:

• The area is hidden from the main park: The Frick Park off leash dog park is fairly secluded. I find this to be a concern for single dog parents, especially women. Being tucked away in the woods may feel a bit unsafe if there aren’t many people around. Or if suspicious people are around!
• Too many germs for my dogs: Over the years, I’ve noticed that the fenced-in areas tend to get dirty quickly. With so many dogs sharing the space, it’s easy for germs to spread. I prefer to keep my dogs on the trails where there’s more space to roam, and the environment is cleaner.
• Altercations with other dogs: Another issue at any off-leash dog park is the possibility of fights between dogs. While I’m sure many dog owners have had positive experiences here, I’ve witnessed a few tense moments that made me reconsider using the off-leash dog parks.

If you’re looking for more information on other off-leash dog parks in Pittsburgh, check out my post on 12 Off-Leash Dog Parks in Pittsburgh where I dive deeper into the pros and cons of each park — there are some I really like!

Discovering New Trails with My Dogs After 20+ Years

One of the most amazing things about Frick Park is that no matter how many times I’ve visited, there’s always something new. Over the past 20+ years and 5 different labradors I’ve found so much to love about this park!

Like I mentioned earlier, just recently I stumbled on a trail I never noticed before!

Having senior dogs, we’re experiencing the trails in a different way than I did when my dogs were younger. But that’s the great thing. The park can adapt to where you are in life and what kind of experience you want for that season.

Final Thoughts: Why Frick Park is a Must for Dog Lovers

Whether you’re a Pittsburgh native like me or just visiting, Frick Park is a must for dog lovers!

The park offers miles of hiking trails across 644 acres, plenty of streams, and all kinds of terrain for your dog to enjoy. And while I prefer to stick to the trails, the park’s fenced-in dog area is also available if that’s something you like to do.

If you’re looking for more ideas on where to take your dog in Pittsburgh, don’t forget to check out my post on 12 Off-Leash Dog Parks in Pittsburgh for more great places to explore with your pup.

Like this post? Here’s more things to do around Pittsburgh with your dog:
The Best Pittsburgh Dog Trainers
25+ Things to do with your dog in Pittsburgh
The best Dog Friendly AirBnBs in Pittsburgh
Dog Friendly Day Trip to Cleveland