By Alexandra W. Jones
If you’re thinking that this summer might be a great time to escape from Philadelphia’s city streets and explore the outdoors, this is the list for you. The Philly area has tons of nature havens that can serve as the perfect getaway from your metropolitan life. Whether you like to camp, bike or simply enjoy the outdoors, there’s a great location for an adventure closeby. So strap on a pair of comfortable shoes, slather on some sunscreen and see how many of these little pockets of fresh air you can check off.
▭ Bartram’s Garden
Located in West Philadelphia, the 45-acre Bartram’s Garden has eight acres of trails on which you can discover a wide variety of trees and plants. Opened in 2017, a 1.1.-mile trail segment called Bartram’s Mile connects to the Schuylkill River Trail, which winds through the garden and is perfect for bikers, walkers and runners alike. | Hours: Garden is open sunrise to sunset; Welcome Center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends | Cost: Free admission; Garden tours are $12 for non-member adults and $10 for non-member youths and seniors | Location: 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard
▭ Bellmawr Lake
You can’t beat this lake’s proximity—it’s less than 30 minutes from Center City. The two-acre, man-made swimming hole has sand and a 100-foot water slide. Land activities include beach volleyball, horseshoes, picnicking and mini golf. | Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Cost: Adults 12 and over pay $11 on weekdays and $13 on weekends; Children 2 to 11 pay $9 on weekdays and $10 on weekends | Location: 850 Creek Rd, Bellmawr, NJ
▭ Beltzville State Park
A two hours’ drive from Center City, this 3,000-acre state park is located in the foothills of the Poconos. Chief among its attractions is a 525-foot sand beach. Visitors are welcome to take a dip, paddle canoes or kayak, though the beach isn’t attended by lifeguards. Birders can spot waterfowl and other species in nearby forests. There are also plenty of trails to explore. | Hours: 8:00 a.m. to sunset | Cost: Free | Location: 2950 Pohopoco Dr, Lehighton, PA
▭ Boxers Trail
If you’re searching for a well-reviewed trail in the midst of Fairmount, look no further. Runners and cyclists alike can enjoy the 3.5-mile-long loop, which swivels past the historic Smith Memorial Playground, several historic mansions, and the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. It gets its name because boxers like the legendary Joe Frazier used it as a running path. | Hours: Sunrise to Sunset | Cost: Free
▭ Cape Henlopen State Park
A short walk from the beach in Cape May, Cape Henlopen has a unique campground—one that rests among pine-covered sand dunes. Grab yourself a walk-in tent site next to the Walking Dunes Trail or rent one of its 12 camping cabins that share a communal bath house. Its beaches offer visitors everything from ocean swimming and boating to kayaking, fishing, clamming and wind-surfing. Additionally, the park’s trails are a great excuse to hike and bike. | Hours: 8 a.m. until sunset | Cost: $35 per night for tent camping | Location: 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive Lewes, DE
▭ Cherry Springs State Park
At 250 miles from Center City, this is the farthest spot on our list. But if you are seeking a night sky where the constellations are not lost in visual pollution, Cherry Springs State Park is worth the road trip. Known to be one of the best places in the country to see stars, this park, surrounded by the 262,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest, is remote and dark. There are 30 campsites available at the park—fire rings included. It also boasts trails for hiking and biking. | Hours: Open 24 hours | Cost: Free | Location:4639 Cherry Springs Road Coudersport, PA
▭ Cobbs Creek Trail
This paved and shady trail runs 3.7 miles from 63rd Street Station to 70th Street. It winds through playgrounds, the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center, the historic Mount Moriah Cemetery and several tennis courts. You don’t have to cross many roads to complete it, making it ideal for families with children. | Open 24 hours | Cost: Free | Location: 63rd and Market streets
▭ Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Another Poconos-area favorite is this 70,000-acre park. Visitors can see waterfalls, enjoy swimming holes and observe Native American archaeological sites. It’s also a great place for camping and hiking. Raymondskill Falls, Pennsylvania’s tallest waterfall at 150 feet, can be seen from a trail that’s only 0.3 miles long. Its beaches are not only a great place to swim, but to lounge, picnic and boat, too. | Hours: Day-use areas are open from sunrise to sunset | Cost: $2-10 for amenity fees | Location: River Road Off Route 209 Bushkill , PA
▭ Fairmount Park
There’s plenty of room for all sorts of fun across Fairmount Park’s 2,050 acres. In addition to biking, walking and running, the park boasts picnicking grounds, basketball courts and an equestrian center. Hike up to Belmont Plateau if you’re looking for a view of the city skyline and a patch of grass from which to enjoy it. More into history? Take a walk down the Trolley Trail, which follows the course of an old trolley that ran through Fairmount in the early 20th century. Or explore the “Charms” of Fairmount—six historic houses that offer a glimpse into life just before and after the American Revolution. | Hours: Open sunrise to sunset; Tour times for the Charms may vary | Cost: Free; Charms tours cost $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and kids ages 13-17 | Location: Northwest Philadelphia
▭ FDR Park
This South Philadelphia park, which was originally built on reclaimed marshlands, offers trails for walking, running and biking. Today, it’s full of fields and lakes and offers great views of the city skyline, Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field. The park also boasts a golf course, tennis courts, skateparks and lakes for fishing. | Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Cost: Park entry is free, prices for sporting activities vary | Location: 1500 Pattison Avenue
▭ French Creek State Park
This 7,730-acre state park, which has more than 35 miles of trails, makes up the biggest stretch of forests between Washington, D.C., and New York City, and it is perfect for your hiking, swimming, fishing and biking needs. You can stay the night in a yurt that has a fridge and a cook top or a cabin outfitted with modern amenities. Its campground has 200 camping sites, approximately 60 of which have electric power. Visitors can also refresh themselves at the swimming pool by Hopewell Lake during daytime hours. | Hours: sunrise to sunset | Cost: Starting at $15 per night for PA residents; starting at $20 per night for non-residents | Location: 843 Park Road Elverson, PA
▭ John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
It’s a green sanctuary near the Philadelphia Airport. John Heinz boasts more than 10 miles of hiking trails, complete with observation platforms where visitors can witness the wildlife o
f the freshwater Tinicum Marsh. The refuge supports birds as well as mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects and plants. Visitors can kayak and canoe along a 4.5-mile section of Darby Creek that winds through the marsh, and biking is permitted in select areas. | Hours: Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset; Visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Cost: Free | Location: 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard
▭ Linvilla Orchards Swim Clubs
For some classic summer fun, join the swim clubs in Linvilla Orchards. Linvilla Orchards, a 300-acre family farm just outside of Media, PA, is home to two swim clubs: Hidden Hollow and Knowlton. Every member has access to the facilities of both clubs. Located right on the farm, each club boasts perfect grounds for swimming, sunbathing, picnics and poolside parties—which the clubs host for members and nonmembers alike. Swimming lessons are taught at both, and each club has their own swimming and diving teams that any member under 18 is welcome to join. | Hours: 12 to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends | Cost: Primary membership $300, additional $175 per family member. Infants are free; discounts for toddlers and senior citizens | Location: 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, PA
▭ Morris Arboretum
With miles of paved and unpaved trails, the Morris Arboretum is the perfect place to go for a hike and to learn about plants—it has more than 2,600 kinds growing in its living collection. It also has several family-friendly exhibits, including “Out on a Limb,” an elevated canopy 50 feet above ground that allows visitors to look down as they climb across rope netting. There’s also the “Railway Garden,” in which visitors can observe model trains as they chug along a quarter mile of track past miniature replicas of well-known Philly buildings. | Hours: Weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Weekends 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Cost: $20 for non-member adults; $10 for non-member students and kids ages 3-17 | Location: 100 E. Northwestern Avenue
▭ Parvin State Park
Located at the edge of the Pine Barrens in southwestern New Jersey, Parvin State Park is only an hour away from the edge of the city. A popular birding spot, the park is home to 180 different bird species and a variety of endangered flora and fauna. Visitors can camp in tents or cabins, and groups can reserve large campsites and picnic areas. Visitors looking to beat the summer heat can jump into the lifeguarded swimming beach Parvin Grove, situated along Parvin Lake, from Memorial Day until Labor Day. | Cost: $2 entry fee, prices for camping vary | Hours: Sunrise to Sunset | Location: 701 Almond Rd, Pittsgrove Township, NJ 08318
▭ Pennypack Park
Established in 1905, Pennypack boasts 1,600 acres of woodlands, meadows and wetlands. The park has playgrounds, hiking and biking trails and a small educational environmental center on Verree Road. Walk along Pennypack Creek, a tributary to the Delaware River, and see how many snakes, turtles and frogs you can find. On Wednesdays, you can also stop by the Ed Kelly Amphitheater for a free concert, often by a tribute band—7:30 p.m. is the usual start time. | Hours: Sunrise to sunset | Cost: Free | Location: 8500 Pine Road
▭ Quarry Swim Club
Finally, a quarry you’re allowed to swim in! Located in Hopewell, New Jersey, the Quarry Swim Club has been welcoming waterbugs for the last 100 years. It stopped operating as a rock quarry in 1916, and underground springs pump water into the hole, which is about 55 feet deep. It officially became a swim club in 1928 and has since added other amenities like an in-ground swimming pool, dressing rooms and a snack shack. | Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends | Cost: Passes for six visits for $102 for ages 13 & older; $78 for ages 6 – 12; and $54 for ages 5 & under | Location: 180 Crusher Road Hopewell, New Jersey
▭ Rail Park
Established on what used to be two elevated railroad lines, The Rail Park in Chinatown is similar to the High Line in New York City. One day, the park will stretch for three miles, connecting 10 neighborhoods and 50 city blocks. For now, however, only a quarter mile of the park has been completed and opened to the public. It’s pet friendly, wheelchair accessible and offers amazing skyline views. | Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Cost: Free | Location: Steps at 1120 Callowhill Street; Wheelchair accessible entrance at the intersection of Broad and Noble Streets
▭ Schuylkill River Trail
Everyone who’s seen the Schuylkill River trail has made a mental note to bike it one day. Take a day to actually do so this summer. It winds from Center City, throughValley Forge National Historical Park in Montgomery County to Parkerford, PA. It even has a “boardwalk” section that extends over the Schuylkill River, giving you a great view of the city skyline. The trail is ideal for walks and runs, too, and weaves beside historic Philly landmarks like Boathouse Row, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Fairmount Water Works. | Open 24 hours | Cost: Free | Location: 2501 Walnut Street
▭ Tacony Creek Park
Located in the Northeast, this Philadelphia watershed park boasts 300 acres of streamside and woodland park habitat. A 3.2 mile paved trail runs the entire length of the park, where visitors can walk, run, or bike as they admire the many kinds of birds, flowers and trees that inhabit the park. Visitors can access the park by 10 neighborhood gateways in Frankford, Olney, Lawncrest, Feltonville, Northwood, and Juniata.| Cost: Free | Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
▭ Wharton State Forest & Atsion Lake
About an hour outside of Philadelphia, you’ll find Atsion Lake in Wharton State Forest. It’s a popular swimming spot with lifeguards on duty. The 100-acre lake is surrounded by picnic areas, playgrounds, barbeque grills and concession stands. A half mile away, visitors can rent canoes and kayaks at Pinelands Adventures. There are also wheelchair-accessible nature trails. And if you’d like to make a weekend out of it, the park hosts around 50 lakeside tent and trailer sites as well as other camping amenities. | Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Cost:$5/$10 per car during the week and $10/$20 per car on weekends | Location: 715 Rt. 206, Shamong, NJ
▭ Wissahickon Valley Park
This park has more than 50 miles of hiking trails, five of which can be found on “Forbidden Drive”—a flat, gravel trail that runs alongside the Wissahickon Creek. Bikers, hikers and horseback riders enjoy this trail together. It leads to the historic Valley Green Inn, built in the 19th century, and now operates as a restaurant. The park is also designated an “Important Birding Area” by the National Audubon Society. Owls, woodpeckers, nuthatches and blue jays are among the birds frequently spotted here. | Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Cost: Free | Location: Valley Green Road
▭ Worlds End State Park
Tucked inside Loyalsock State Forest is Worlds End State Park—a great place to photograph and explore mountains and streams. The park also has camping amenities and more than 20 miles of hiking trails, including a geology trail that takes vis
itors down a path where they can observe various rock formations. | Hours: Sunrise to sunset | Cost: Free | Location: 82 Cabin Bridge Road Forksville, PA
