10 Awesome State Parks Near Philadelphia (and What They Offer)

Are you looking for some fun things to do in the state parks near Philadelphia?

Did you know Pennsylvania has over 120 state parks? And several of them are close to Philadelphia.

If you live near Philadelphia and want to enjoy some outdoor fun, boating, hiking, or camping, one of the nearby state parks will suit your desires.

We’ve been to some of the best state parks near Philadelphia and love them all! They all offer something unique and special, like camping at French Creek State Park, boating on the Delaware at Neshaminy State Park, or hiking some fantastic trails at Ridley Creek State Park.

We share some of the best things to do at each state park close to Philadelphia below. Whether you want to trek through the wilds, paddle on a lake, or enjoy a night under the stars, the state parks near Philadelphia have what you need.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Things to Know About Pennsylvania State Parks

Before you visit any of these awesome state parks in the Philadelphia area, you should know a few things.

• Every state park near Philadelphia allows dogs as long as they are leashed.
•  You can make camping and pavilion reservations online at this site.
•  Pennsylvania State Parks have no entry fee. They are all FREE to visit.
•  Boating and fishing at Pennsylvania State Parks require permits and/or licenses. Visit the PA Fish and Boat website for more info.

Be a Responsible Visitor

Remember as you visit these states parks to respect nature. Stay on established paths, pack out your trash (including food waste), and leave what you find behind.

The more popular these destinations become, the more we need to be diligent about keeping our parks and lands clean and safe for all. You can learn more here.

10 Awesome State Parks Near Philadelphia

• Size: 275 acres
• Hiking: 3.5 miles of easy gravel and paved trails
• Camping: None
• Boating/Fishing: None
• Hunting: None
• Horseback Riding: None
• Playground: None
• Picnic Area: None
• Unique activity: Model aircraft flying

Benjamin Rush State Park is a hidden gem located in northeast Philadelphia.

With several connected walking trails that wind through the trees and open fields, this park offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. However, you might still hear the traffic on the Boulevard!

The trails are flat and mostly packed with gravel. It’s the ideal park for those wanting to ride bikes or walk without navigating hills, rocks, or roots. Its flat terrain is also wheelchair friendly.

A unique feature of Benjamin Rush State Park is the community garden. Gardeners can rent a plot to grow plants and produce. It’s an excellent option for those who live in apartments nearby.

What really sets this park apart is its unique attraction for model aircraft enthusiasts!

The park features a large open area where you can watch or even pilot your own model aircraft, making it the perfect place for those who love to take to the skies in a more controlled, pint-sized fashion.

🛩 Try your hand at flying an airplane drone

Of course, being close to the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, you can also spot some smaller aircraft above you.

2. Neshaminy State Park

• Size: 339 acres
• Hiking: 4.4 miles of easy gravel and paved trails
• Camping: None
• Boating/Fishing: Two boat launch access points along the Delaware River. Fishing is allowed with license.
• Hunting: None
• Horseback Riding: None
• Playground: Yes
• Picnic Area: Multiple
• Unique activity: Enjoy a dip in the swimming pool (open seasonally)

Neshaminy State Park is a fantastic destination for people seeking a dose of nature and recreation.

Its well-maintained walking trails offer a peaceful stroll through the woods and along the Neshaminy Creek and Delaware River. Some of our favorite places to explore are the ruins of the old Logan estate and the banks of the river. We love the view of the Philadelphia skyline from the park.

A mixture of trail types includes paved, packed gravel, and dirt. The trails are great for strollers, wheelchairs, assistive devices, and bikes, making it a park for everyone!

If you’re a fishing enthusiast, you can cast your line into the river to reel in species like catfish and smallmouth bass. You will need a license from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

And for those who love being out on the water, Neshaminy State Park has a large marina where you can store and launch your boat. This area is separate from the rest of the park.

In the summer, Neshaminy State Park’s swimming pool is open to the public. The pool is a popular attraction during the weekends and holidays, so it’s best to visit mid-week.

3. Fort Washington State Park

• Size: 493 acres
• Hiking: 4.2 miles of moderate trails
• Camping: Organized group tent camping
• Boating/Fishing: Fishing is allowed with license.
• Hunting: None
• Horseback Riding: None
• Playground: Yes
• Picnic Area: Multiple
• Unique activity: Frisbee golf and hawk watching

Fort Washington State Park is a great state park near Philadelphia with a remarkable history. The park and the town get their name from the fort Washington and his soldiers built during the American Revolution in the fall of 1777 (before he set up camp at Valley Forge).

Of course, Fort Washington State Park has several hiking trails through the woods. They are relatively easy, but you still have to navigate roots and rocks and gradual inclines.

The park also features a fantastic 9-hole disc golf course, a great group activity.

😄 Get ready for Disc Golf with this set

Fort Washington State Park is excellent for bird-watching, especially in September and October. Visitors can use the Hawk Watch stations to look for migrating raptors like hawks and falcons.

4. Ridley Creek State Park

• Size: 2606 acres
• Hiking: 13 miles of moderate trails
• Camping: Organized group tent camping
• Boating/Fishing: Fishing is allowed with license.
• Hunting: Allowed within season
• Horseback Riding: Yes
• Playground: Yes
• Picnic Area: Multiple
• Unique activity: The Colonial Plantation

Ridley Creek State Park is one of our favorite state parks near Philadelphia and a great place to hike with kids.

The 13 miles of hiking trails within the park are well-marked and maintained. They are moderate in difficulty, though some steep sections are throughout the park. We love the Blue Trail with the interesting ruins alongside the trail.

The Hunting Hill Mansion and formal gardens are unique elements you usually don’t find in state parks. The mansion was built in 1915 and now serves as the park headquarters.

But that’s not the only fun feature in the park. Tucked within Ridley Creek State Park is a hidden gem. The Colonial Plantation has been a working farm for the past 300 years. It has been restored to its 18th-century appearance, with historic buildings offering a fascinating peek into America’s past. There is a fee to access the plantation.

5. Evansburg State Park

• Size: 3349 acres
• Hiking: 6 miles of easy to moderate trails
• Camping: Organized group tent camping
• Boating/Fishing: Fishing is allowed with license.
• Hunting: Allowed within season
• Horseback Riding: Yes
• Playground: Yes
• Picnic Area: Multiple
• Unique activity: Mountain Biking

Evansburg State Park is a large, long park across several Montgomery County townships.

The park has a fantastic network of hiking trails that wind through various landscapes, from tranquil woodlands to open fields. We love the Skippack Creek Loop Trail.

There are also over 15 miles of horseback riding trails within the park, most of which follow along Skippack Creek.

However, you’ll want to visit Evansburg State Park if you enjoy mountain biking. Five miles of mountain bike trails at the southwestern end of the park have some fun bridges, berms, and jumps that everyone can enjoy.

6. Tyler State Park

• Size: 1711 acres
• Hiking: 26.8 miles of easy to moderate trails
• Camping: None
• Boating/Fishing: Non-powered boats allowed. Fishing is allowed with license.
• Hunting: None
• Horseback Riding: Yes
• Playground: Yes
• Picnic Area: Multiple
• Unique activity: Schofield Ford Bridge

Tyler State Park is one of the most popular parks in Bucks County. We love hiking the fun trails in Tyler, especially the Nature Trail. It’s one of the best family-friendly hiking trails near Philadelphia.

Tyler State Park has several miles of trails. A large chunk of the trails are paved and perfect for a nice walk around the park. The Tyler Drive Trail is flat and follows Neshaminy Creek from the Boat House to the mill dam. Across the creek, you’ll find a mix of paved and dirt trails. They can be steep in sections but are still fun to explore.

Boating is a fun activity at Tyler State Park. It’s one of the parks near Philadelphia where you can rent a boat or launch your own. The Neshaminy Creek provides an ideal boating location where you can spot wildlife like deer and herons.

🚣‍♀️ Try this inflatable two-person kayak!

One of the unique features of Tyler State Park is the Schofield Ford Bridge, a covered bridge that was rebuilt in the 90s after a devastating fire. The bridge was originally built in 1873.

7. Ralph Stover State Park

• Size: 45 acres
• Hiking: 1 mile (trail connects with Tohickon Valley Park trails extending to up to 4 miles)
• Camping: None
• Boating/Fishing: Non-powered boats allowed. Fishing is allowed with license.
• Hunting: None
• Horseback Riding: No
• Playground: Yes
• Picnic Area: Multiple
• Unique activity: Rock climbing

As the smallest state park near Philadelphia, Ralph Stover State Park still packs in the fun. The park comprises two sections, with Tohickon Valley Park separating them.

Most of the park is located alongside Tohickon Creek and features a picnic and play area. You can access the other section by crossing the Means Ford Bridge and walking up Stover Park Road to the High Rocks Trail.

Ralph Stover Park’s main hiking trail, High Rocks, connects the park to Tohickon Valley Park. It offers stunning vistas of the Tohickon Creek Gorge and the surrounding wilderness and is one of our favorite hikes in the area.

But what really sets this park apart is its rock climbing opportunities. Ralph Stover is one of only three state parks in Pennsylvania that allow rock climbing. Experienced climbers can ascend the 150-foot sheer rock face above the Tohickon Creek. As an onlooker, it’s fun to watch.

Ralph Stover State Park is also a fun place for kayakers and canoers. Although they do not rent boats, you can launch yours by the Means Ford Bridge. And if you enjoy some white-water rafting, the Tohickon Creek features Class II and IV rapids twice a year due to the dam release in Nockamixon State Park.

8. Nockamixon State Park

• Size: 5286 acres
• Hiking: 39 miles of easy to moderate trails
• Camping: Cabins
• Boating/Fishing: Maximum 20 hp boats allowed. Fishing is allowed with license.
• Hunting: Allowed within season
• Horseback Riding: Yes
• Playground: Yes
• Picnic Area: Multiple
• Unique activity: Mountain biking

As the second largest state park near Philadelphia, Nockamixon State Park has so many activities available it’s hard to list them all!

With 39 miles of hiking trails, you have plenty of space to explore. Some of our favorite trails include the High Bridge Trail and the Mink Trail. Most of the trails take you along the lake’s shoreline, making for a pleasant experience no matter where you are in the park.

If you’re a fan of water adventures, you’ll love the 1450-acre man-made lake. It’s perfect for boating, whether you prefer sailing or kayaking. You can either rent a boat or bring your own. It’s an excellent spot to go fishing, too!

Our favorite part of the park are the mountain bike trails. They’ll take you through challenging terrains and keep your adrenaline pumping. Remember, they are typically closed during the winter and early spring to protect the trails from damage.

There are so many other things to do within the park, like the swimming pool, ice skating in the winter, and hunting. You can also rent a cabin!

9. Marsh Creek State Park

• Size: 1784 acres
• Hiking: 18.4 miles of easy to moderate trails
• Camping: None
• Boating/Fishing: Electric motors permitted. Fishing is allowed with license.
• Hunting: Allowed within season
• Horseback Riding: Yes
• Playground: Yes
• Picnic Area: Multiple
• Unique activity: Swimming pool with sprayground during the summer season

Marsh Creek State Park is a true paradise for outdoor lovers, offering a blend of land and water adventures in a stunning natural setting.

The park has a variety of hiking trails that wind through the forests and open meadows. The trails range in difficulty from easy to moderate, offering lake views.

The park’s star attraction is the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake, which offers fantastic opportunities for boating. Whether you prefer kayaking, sailing, or simply cruising in a pontoon, this pristine lake beckons water lovers to spend their days exploring its serene waters. You can either rent a boat or bring your own. And get those rods out to enjoy some fishing in the lake!

🚣‍♀️ This is my favorite inflatable kayak!

During the summer, the pool is open to visitors. There is also a fun sprayground for the little ones.

Winter is a fun time to visit Marsh Creek State Park. As the lake freezes over, ice sports like ice skating and ice fishing are popular with visitors.

10. French Creek State Park

• Size: 7916 acres
• Hiking: 35 miles of easy to moderate trails
• Camping: Tents, yurts, cabins, RVs
• Boating/Fishing: Electric motors permitted. Fishing is allowed with license.
• Hunting: Allowed within season
• Horseback Riding: Yes
• Playground: Yes
• Picnic Area: Multiple
• Unique activity: Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

French Creek State Park is not only the largest state park near Philadelphia, but at almost 8000 acres, it’s the largest block of contiguous forest between Washington, DC, and New York City.

There are so many fun things to do in French Creek State Park it’s hard to list them all. The park has some of the best hiking trails in the area, including some that circle around Hopewell Lake and Scott’s Run Lake. Most of the trails range from easy to moderate, though there are some steeper inclines in spots.

Boating lovers will enjoy the option to boat on both Hopewell Lake and Scott’s Run Lake. Electric motor boats are allowed on the lakes. Various boats are available to rent, or you can always launch your own.

One of the reasons French Creek State Park is so popular is because of camping. It’s the only state park near Philadelphia that allows RV, tent, cabin, and yurt camping.

One of the enjoyable features of French Creek State Park is the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, which the National Park System runs. The site showcases a historic village and iron furnace, with a self-guided tour. It’s FREE to visit. Kids can even earn their Junior Ranger Badge.

FAQs About The Best State Parks Near Philadelphia

Do Pennsylvania State Parks Cost Money to Visit?

There is no cost to visit a state park in Pennsylvania. When the park system was created in 1893, it was determined that park access would be free for everyone.

Which State Parks Near Philadelphia Allow Camping?

Only two state parks close to Philadelphia allow general camping. They include French Creek State Park and Nockamixon State Park (cabins only).

However, Fort Washington State Park, Evansburg State Park, and Ridley Creek State Park allow organized group tent camping.

Wrapping Up State Parks Near Philadelphia

We’re so lucky to have so many amazing state parks in the Philadelphia area. Many of them are some of our favorite places to hike. At the same time, others are perfect for relaxing out on the water. And my favorite part about Pennsylvania State Parks? They are FREE to visit! 

Read It Now. Pin It For Later!