Parks & Recreation - State Parks, Recreational Areas & Sports
Philadelphia’s state parks offer a wide range of recreational opportunities. All, unless specified, have scenic hiking and biking trails and allow picnicking. Fishing and hunting both require state licenses. Check with the Pennsylvania State Game Commission for regulations, seasons, and limits.
Parks & Recreation - Parks, Recreation & Golf
Lancaster County is well known for its bounty of bucolic beauty, but outdoor enthusiasts will be happy to know that this beauty is more than skin deep. Hikers and bikers will find multiple miles of wooded trails to explore, golfers world-class courses to conquer, and canoers and kayakers sparkling waters to ply.
1. Fairmount Park
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (215) 988-9334 for maps, (215)
Description: If you think New York City’s Central Park is big, multiply that by more than 10 and you have the size of Philly’s Fairmount Park. This green goliath encompasses 63 regional and neighborhood parks, one of which is located within walking distance for every city resident. The park features over 200 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails suitable for all ages and physical ability levels. There are also 368 athletic fields for baseball, softball, soccer, football, rugby, and cricket along with basketball, tennis, and bocce courts, 6 public golf courses, and a disc golf course. Thirty-four miles of waterways make for some great fishing (a license is necessary). For skateboarding, roll on over to FDR Skate Park at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue (215-683-0200).
2. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (215) 365-3118
Address: 8601 Lindbergh Blvd.
Description: This is a true birder’s paradise—more than 300 species have been recorded, even a bald eagle family, at this rest stop along the Atlantic Flyway. Ten miles of trails, some wooded, some boardwalk, make it easy to find prime spots to keep an eye out for bills and beaks. Ask about guided bird and flower walks.
3. Delaware Canal State Park
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (610) 982-5560
Address: 11 Lodi Hill Rd.
Description: You can take a mule-drawn boat ride on this only remaining continuously intact early- to mid-19th-century canal. Walk, bike, or cross-country ski along the 60-mile towpath, a National Recreation Trail, that leads you through farmlands and historic towns and offers viewing of wildlife, migrating raptors, waterfowl, and songbirds. Fish in the Delaware River (shad migration starts in early spring) and Delaware Canal (warm-water game fish). Canoeing is permitted. Environmental educational and interpretive programs are available.
4. WASHINGTON CROSSING STATE PARK
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (215) 493-4076
Address: 1112 River Rd.
Description: Take a guided tour ($5–9) of the park where George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Eve 1776 for a surprise attack on the Hessians in New Jersey. Among the historic structures included on the tour are a boathouse with replicas of George Washington’s watercraft and a former private home that served as a medical center for the soldiers. Don’t miss climbing to the top of the 125-foot-high Bowman’s Hill Tower for some of the best views around.
5. White Clay Creek Preserve
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (610) 274-2900
Description: Click on the website for directions to this 2,072-acre preserve, considered to be one of the best trout streams around. Hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails explore the various park habitats. About 1,800 acres are open to deer hunting only.
6. Ridley Creek State Park
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (610) 892-3900
Address: 351 Gradyville Rd.
Description: Bisected by Ridley Creek, which is stocked with trout, this 2,600-plus-acre woodland and meadow park offers 12 miles of hiking trails and 5 miles of paved trails for biking and cross-country skiing. A large slope by the park office is a local favorite for sledding and tobogganing.
7. Fort Washington State Park
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (215) 591-5250
Address: 500 S. Bethlehem Pike
Description: Nothing remains of the temporary fort where General Washington’s army camped for a little more than a month prior to moving on to Valley Forge, but this almost 500-acre recreation destination has a long history of making area outdoors lovers happy. Hike, bike, or cross-country ski the 2.5-mile Green Ribbon Trail, fish for trout in the Wissahickon Creek, climb to the top of Hawk Watch Observation Deck to search for raptors (16 species) and butterflies, and sled or toboggan down a 400-foot slope. A 1.7-mile loop trail offers cross-country skiing for beginners to experts.
8. Green Lane Park
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (610) 278-3555
Address: 2144 Snyder Rd.
Description: In this 3,400-acre park, there are several miles of nature trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding as well as 3 bodies of water. The Montgomery County Environmental Education Center located here offers year-round programs for all ages. Electric boats and rowboats are available for rental. Fishing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice fishing are permitted. In September, Green Lane Park hosts one of the largest Scottish-Irish festivals in Eastern Pennsylvania. This 3-day event features highland games, sheep dog demos, dancing, bagpiping, and children’s activities.
9. Norristown Farm Park
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (610) 270-0215
Address: 2500 Upper Farm Rd.
Description: This 690-acre park is home to a working farm in continuous use since colonial times, 15 historic buildings, a trout farm, and loads of wildlife. There’s an interpretive nature trail that takes you through The Millennium Grove, one of two Pennsylvania sites selected by the American Forest Foundation and the White House Millennium Council to promote the planting of historic tree groves. Paved roads are open to bikers and in-line skaters. Fishing is permitted at the Farm Pond or either of two trout-stocked streams. More than 170 species of birds have been recorded, and there’s a viewing blind for close-up observation. During winter, any part of the park may be used for sledding and downhill or cross-country skiing.
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 1400 N. Outer Line Dr.
11. Morris Arboretum
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (215) 247-5777
Address: 100 E. Northwestern Ave.
Description: This is the place to come to chill out on a beautiful day in any season. There’s always something new to see as you stroll the arboretum’s 92 acres of gorgeous global gardens that feature 13,000 plants, trees, and flowers (over 2,500 types) labeled for easy identification. Make sure you take in the view from the 450-foot-long “Out on a Limb” canopy walk, 50 feet up in the treetops. Check the website for classes on a variety of subjects, such as sustainable gardening, landscaping, and fun for kids and families. Print out a self-guided tour from the website or choose one of the guided tours each weekend.Open every day except for certain holidays. Bring your frail or fading flora to the free plant clinic, 1 to 3 p.m. Mon through Fri (except for Thurs); (215) 247-5777, ext. 141.
12. Bicycle Club of Philadelphia
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 640 Waterworks Dr.
Description: From ponies for the little ones to draft horses for adults of all sizes, this is a great place to bring the family for a guided scenic trail ride. The price is $40 for a 1-hour regular trail ride or 45-minute hand-led ride for children, or $25 for a 0.5-hour pony ride. Lessons and horse boarding are also available. A portion of all proceeds goes to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
13. Gateway Stables
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (610) 444-1255
Address: 949 Merrybell Ln.
Description: From ponies for the little ones to draft horses for adults of all sizes, this is a great place to bring the family for a guided scenic trail ride. The price is $40 for a 1-hour regular trail ride or 45-minute hand-led ride for children, or $25 for a 0.5-hour pony ride. Lessons and horse boarding are also available. A portion of all proceeds goes to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
14. Hidden Valley Farms
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (610) 892-7260
Address: 351 Gradyville Rd.
Description: One-hour scenic trail rides are $45 (must be at least 8 years old). Pony rides cost $1 for once around a big ring. Lessons, horse boarding, and pony rentals for parties are also available.
15. Bucks County River Country
City: Philadelphia, PA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (215) 297-5000
Address: 2 Walters Ln.
Description: Ride the gentle currents of the Delaware River any way you like—floating on a tube (single or double “snuggle” kind) or raft or paddling a canoe or kayak. For an extra $3, you can add a burger, chips, and soda meal to any activity. Check the website for special discounts on all activities.