Visitors Guide: Regional parks & outdoors
Lake Nockamixon
1542 Mountain View Dr. (Quakertown, Pa.)
Contains six launching areas that are open 24 hours a day. Many vessels from motorboats to kayaks to inflatable watercraft are invited on the lake, and a boat rental concession is open daily until Labor Day.
Blue Marsh Lake
1268 Palisades Dr. (Leesport, Pa.)
A man-made lake originally constructed to provide flood control in the Schuylkill River Valley has now grown into a major recreation spot. The lake contains three boat launch areas and a fishing platform at the Stilling Basin.
Mash Creek Lake
675 Park Rd. (Downingtown, Pa.)
Draws in sail boaters in addition to motorized boaters. The nearby boat rental shop offers sail boat lessons and rentals and even gives tours of the lake. Two boat launch areas. There's also a pool if you're looking to take a dip.
Neshaminy Creek
Tyler State Park, 101 Swamp Rd. (Newtown, Pa.)
A good deal for a calmer boating landscape. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards are available to rent through Labor Day and a boathouse picnic area is located conveniently near the rental store. Fishers can drop bait from the banks of the creek or via canoe.
Wissahickon Creek
Wissahickon Valley Park (Chestnut Hill to Manayunk)
The creek runs for 7 miles and has many open and easily accessible fishing spots along its banks.
French Creek State Park
843 Park Rd. (Elverson, Pa.)
200 camping sites not far from shower and restroom areas (some even have electric hookups.) Cabins and cottages are also available to rent.
Lehigh Gorge Campground
4585 State St. (White Haven, Pa.)
Offers both full service sites (with the works: sewer, electric, water, fire pit, picnic table) and more isolated areas (located near a well and bathhouse).
Wharton State Forest
31 Batso Rd. (Hammonton, N.J.)
The largest state forest in New Jersey boasts the complete camping package: unpaved biking trails, swimming facilities and places to set up shop overnight, even with your pets.
River Beach Campground and Marina
4678 Somers Point Rd. (Mays Landing, N.J.)
A shore alternative, this campground offers beachy sites right along the Egg Harbor River.
Ricketts Glenn State Park
695 State Route 487 (Benton, Pa.)
11 trails in varying distances (ranging from less than to 7.2 miles) taking hikers up hills, by creeks and near waterfalls. So go on and chase 'em.
Hickory Run State Park
RR 1 Box 81 (White Haven, Pa.)
None of the 24 trails exceed 5 miles. Some are even open to cross-country skiers and snowmobiles.
Lehigh Gorge State Park
D&L Trail (Jim Thorpe, Pa.)
A scenic and challenging trek to Glen Onoko Falls is a highlight of the 33-mile trail system.
Schuylkill River Trail
Philadelphia to Phoenixville
The 26-mile stretch extends from Philadelphia to Phoenixville and includes the new Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk, Boathouse Row and Kelly Drive.
202 Parkway Trail
Montgomery, Warrington and Doylestown
Montgomery, Warrington and Doylestown are all connected via the 202 Parkway Trail, an over 8-mile paved route with five entranceways: at Knapp Road, Route 309, Stump Road near the County Line Road intersection, Bristol Road, and New Britain Road.
Pennypack Trail
8500 Pine Rd. (Northeast Philadelphia)
A portion of the 12.4-mile trail passes through Pennypack Park — where you'll find unpaved, wooded trails. Begins in Montgomery County at Huntingdon Pike and into Philadelphia County.
Wissahickon Valley Park
Forbidden Dr. (Northwest Philadelphia)
The asphalt and gravel path follows the Wissahickon Creek, ideal for mountain bikers or extreme runners.