Wissahickon Valley Park

Name: Wissahickon Valley Park
Address: Valley Green Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128, USA, Philadelphia, PA, US
Telephone: (215) 247-0417
Rating: 4.8

4.8(6,584) Philadelphia, PA

Directions Website

About Wissahickon Valley Park

Wissahickon Valley Park offers a unique urban oasis, providing a vast natural refuge where families can walk, bike, and hike amidst stunning scenery. It's lauded as a relaxing escape from city life, featuring diverse trails and a charming on-site inn, offering both gentle strolls and challenging adventures.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Families seeking a relaxing nature escape and a break from city life without a long commute.Parents looking for diverse activity options (walking, biking, hiking) that can cater to various energy levels and ages.Road-trippers needing a quick, scenic stop with natural beauty before heading to/from NYC or other destinations.Active families and teens who enjoy challenging hikes with significant elevation gains and rewarding views.Leisurely strolls and enjoying nature with friends or family.

Why families love it

Versatile trail system accommodating walking, biking, hiking, and even horseback riding.
Features a quaint, on-site restaurant, the Valley Green Inn, with courteous staff for convenient dining.
Boasts significant natural beauty, particularly in spring with vibrant blooming flowers, creating a relaxing atmosphere with abundant trees.
Trails are extensive (approximately 2000 acres) and consistently well-marked, ensuring clear navigation and a variety of routes.
Offers stunning scenic views, especially from higher vantage points or challenging trails.
Multi-use trails offering activities for walkers, bikers, joggers, and horseback riders.

Insider tips

**Trail Selection:** For an easy, relaxing experience, stick to the main, wide trails or walks alongside the riverbanks. For a challenge, explore trails like the Forbidden Path or Margaree Dam Loop, but be prepared for steep, rocky terrain.
**Gear:** Bring walking sticks for more challenging trails with steep inclines, rocks, and roots to aid stability.
**Best Time to Visit:** Consider visiting in spring to experience the park with all the flowers blooming in color.
**Parking:** Utilize the free parking available near the Valley Green Inn or at the entrances located on the inner banks of the river.
**Food:** The Valley Green Inn offers a convenient dining option; for longer hikes, it's wise to bring your own snacks and water.
The park is open on holidays (e.g., Easter).

Good to know before you go

**Forbidden Path / Margaree Dam Loop:** Avoid these more challenging trails with very young children or individuals with limited mobility due to steep inclines (up to 35 degrees), significant rocks, roots, and potential muddy conditions.
**Unprepared:** Do not attempt challenging trails without appropriate sturdy footwear (e.g., hiking boots), sufficient water, and potentially walking sticks.
Some trails (e.g., Forbidden Path, Margaree Dam Loop) feature challenging terrain including steep inclines (up to 25-35 degrees), numerous rocks, roots, and potentially muddy sections, requiring careful footing.
Newly packed trail sections on challenging routes can be soft, making the climb more difficult.
One bridge on a challenging trail was described as 'kind of Ricky T' (rickety), which may be a minor concern for some.

Crowds: The park's trails are shared by a variety of users including hikers, bikers, and joggers, indicating it's a popular destination.
Value: Entry to Wissahickon Valley Park and its trails is free. There is also free and safe parking available. The only potential costs would be for dining at the on-site Valley Green Inn. This offers excellent value for a vast, diverse, and well-maintained natural experience.
Food: An on-site restaurant, the Valley Green Inn, provides dining options.
Accessibility: **Main trails:** Are described as 'extremely wide' and are suitable for walking, biking, and jogging, suggesting they may accommodate strollers or some mobility devices on flatter sections.
Safety: Trails are consistently described as 'clearly marked' and 'well marked,' which greatly aids in safe navigation.

What parents say

Suchitra Kamath

5.0

"This is amazing! To be able to walk, bike and hike amidst nature in the middle of the city! It is truly a refuge! Even a quaint little restaurant ( Valley Green Inn) in there if you get hungry. The staff at the restaurant are very courteous and friendly."

2 weeks ago

Daniel Roberts

5.0

"Third times, a charm. Enjoy this trail all the time being around so many trees is always relaxing. First time doing this during spring with all the flowers blooming in color. Huge recommendations for those who need to just air out themselves from the city, chat with your closest friend, and enjoy the day. P.s. did this on easter."

a week ago

Russell Pierre

5.0

"After leaving our hotel in PA ,we always like to visit a park or trails and go sight seeing,just before heading back to NY.This park was the closest from the hotel about 15mins drive on our way back to NY.We just decided to enter on the inner banks of the river entrance where we parked the truck.There's also another entrance once you parked your car and walk up a little hill.There's free parking inside in the trail.We decided to take a walk alongside the banks of river,there were hikers and even dirt bike that passed us along the way.In all it was very relaxing and made you feel in touch wit"

a week ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.