About this Location

Facility Overview

The Montour Trail Parking facility at 300 Buckeye Street (located off Linwood Avenue in McMurray, Peters Township, PA) serves as the official Linwood Trailhead (Mile Marker 29.0) for the historic Montour Trail. This designated staging area features an open-air surface lot with a firm crushed limestone and gravel base, engineered specifically to cater to outdoor enthusiasts accessing Western Pennsylvania’s premier recreational rail-trail corridor. Positioned directly alongside the trail alignment, the lot provides immediate, grade-level access onto the multi-use path without steep climbs or highway crossings.

Because the facility is an expansive, single-level outdoor surface lot, it offers completely unrestricted vertical clearance and wide-open headroom. This open-air layout is exceptionally suited for vehicles equipped with rooftop bike carriers, rear-mounted hitch racks, kayak setups, and cargo boxes. Standard passenger sedans, full-size pickup trucks, crossover SUVs, and high-roof vans can easily navigate the lot and park comfortably. The spacious turnaround space also allows drivers carrying sports equipment or towing small recreational trailers to maneuver with ease.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated within affluent Peters Township in northern Washington County, this trailhead parking area serves as a gateway to both natural and suburban community amenities:

Montour Trail & Arrowhead Trail: Located directly on Mile Marker 29.0. Heading east, users immediately transition onto the paved Peters Township Arrowhead Trail segment towards McMurray, while heading west leads along scenic, tree-canopied corridors toward Hendersonville, Southpointe, and the Panhandle Trail junction.
Peterswood Park & Peters Township Community Center (approx. 3.5 miles): A sprawling municipal park featuring athletic fields, an outdoor amphitheater, tennis/pickleball courts, picnic pavilions, and paved interconnecting nature trails.
Peters Lake Park (approx. 3 miles): A scenic 189-acre park with a tranquil 90-acre freshwater lake, fishing spots, and wooded perimeter hiking paths.
Route 19 Commercial & Dining Corridor (approx. 1.5 miles east): Fast access to top local eateries, delis, coffee shops, and bike shops along Washington Road (Route 19) in McMurray, including local staples like Heisler's Market, Juniper Grill, and specialty cycle repair outfitters.
Southpointe Business Park & Town Center (approx. 4 miles southwest): A vibrant regional hub offering dining options such as Jackson’s Restaurant + Bar and upscale corporate venues just off Interstate 79.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing the Linwood / Buckeye Street trailhead is straightforward via Washington County’s arterial network. From Route 19 (Washington Road), take Valley Brook Road westward and follow signs to Linwood Avenue and Buckeye Street. For drivers arriving via Interstate 79, take Exit 45 (Canonsburg) or Exit 48 (Southpointe) and travel east via Morganza Road and Georgetown Road. The entrance onto Buckeye Street is situated in a quiet light-industrial and residential transition zone, ensuring minimal roadway congestion compared to high-density commercial centers.

While public bus service into this immediate neighborhood is limited, regional transit connections are available within a short driving or cycling distance. The Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) Silver Line light rail terminus at Library Station is roughly 6 miles to the east, providing park-and-ride light-rail transit into Downtown Pittsburgh, the North Shore sports stadiums (Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park), and Station Square.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Direct Trail Access: Immediate step-on and roll-on entry to Montour Trail Mile Marker 29.0 and the connecting Peters Township trail system.
Free Public Parking: 100% complimentary parking provided for non-motorized trail users, hikers, joggers, and cyclists with no fees, parking meters, or permits required.
On-Site Restroom Facility: Equipped with a clean, maintained portable restroom unit available for trail patrons.
Trailhead Signage & Maps: Information kiosk featuring Montour Trail maps, trail mileage markers, safety guidelines, and emergency contact details.
Unrestricted Overhead Headroom: Zero height limitations, ideal for vehicles transporting roof racks, kayaks, roof tents, and tall gear.
Pet-Friendly Environment: Leashed dogs are permitted on trail grounds; visitors are encouraged to bring waste bags and pack out all pet trash.

Ideal For

Bicyclists & Gravel Riders: Ideal launching point for short scenic rides or long-distance endurance treks across the 63-mile Montour Trail system and beyond into the Great American Rail Trail network.
Walkers, Runners & Dog Walkers: Local Peters Township and Canonsburg residents seeking a level, car-free crushed stone pathway shaded by scenic deciduous tree canopies.
Cross-Country Skiers & Snowshoers: Outdoor recreation enthusiasts during the winter months taking advantage of unplowed natural snow cover on the trail corridor.
Commuters & Active Travelers: Non-motorized travelers commuting between Cecil Township, McMurray, and Upper St. Clair.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Operating Hours: Trailhead parking operates in strict accordance with Montour Trail rules: grounds are open daily from dawn until dusk. Overnight parking and unauthorized camping at the trailhead are prohibited.
Peak Arrival Times: Weekend mornings and warm spring and autumn afternoons often attract higher volumes of cyclists and walking groups. Arrive before 9:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays to secure prime parking stalls.
Leave No Trace: As a volunteer-maintained rail-trail operated by the Montour Trail Council and Peters Township Friends of the Trail, visitors should practice carry-in/carry-out trail etiquette and deposit all garbage into available bins or take it home.
Lock & Secure Belongings: Keep all valuables, bags, and electronic accessories hidden from view or locked inside your vehicle's trunk before hitting the trail.
Navigation Note: Program GPS devices to either '300 Buckeye St, McMurray, PA' or 'Montour Trail Linwood Trailhead' to easily locate the turnoff from Linwood Avenue.