What’s to love
Starting in the 1920’s, the land that is now Tyler State Park operated as a dairy farm, owned by—you guessed it—a family named Tyler. The Tylers also raised poultry, sheep, pigs and horses on the fields and rolling hills along the Neshaminy Creek, making use of a collection of late 18th-century farm buildings (many of which are still in use as private residences today).
The modern Tyler State Park has retained the charm of its agrarian roots. On your visit you’ll encounter plenty of horses, and you’ll hike along the edges of fields that still grow corn and grains. But there’s plenty of woods here as well, and you can access them by hiking the well-marked bridle trails.
Tyler State Park is the ideal family destination—there’s a little something here for everyone. The park has 9 miles of equestrian trails, 10 miles of paved multi-use trails, and 4 additional miles for hikers only. There’s also a canoe rental, fishing, multiple picnic areas, a couple of dams you can walk along, a performance space, an arts center, ice cream trucks, sledding, and a 36-hole disc golf course. Phew!
Tips and quirks
- This is a great place to spot some wildlife, even if you stay on the paved trails—on my last visit I encountered snakes, deer, wild turkeys, toads, and plenty of birds. However, on one of my earlier visits, I stepped directly in a yellowjacket nest hidden under a fallen log on one of the bridle trails. Mind your feet (and bring your EpiPen)!
- Since the paved trails are so well maintained, you can throw your trusty Philly road bike in your trunk and get some nice, tough hill workouts here.
Spotted here recently (via
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Last updated: April 16, 2021
A small disclaimer: This website is not affilitated with the City of Philadelphia, its parks department, local non-profits, or any state or federal organization. Opinions reflected here are solely the author's: a regular person who happens to enjoy hiking. Like all outdoor activities, hiking carries some risks (including medical and personal safety risks) and requires preparation and supplies. Routes and conditions may have changed since this post was written. Make sure you follow all posted rules and local laws, as certain activities (like off-leash dogs or leaving marked trails) are frequently prohibitied.
