Your Guide to the Main Line Area’s Parks, Gardens and Preserves

The Main Line region is home to an abundance of natural destinations, from gardens and arboretums to national parks and trails.

Airdrie Forest Preserve

140 Fennerton Road, Paoli

A wooded preserve with over 75 acres and 3.25 miles of trails.

Anson B. Nixon Park

405 N. Walnut Road, Kennett Square

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This is a popular spot for families thanks to its picnic area, playground and dog park. It also hosts summer concerts and offers fishing.

Barnes Arboretum at Saint Joseph’s University

50 Lapsley Lane, Merion Station, (610) 660-2802

Home to over 2,500 species of plants, the grounds of this 12-acre arboretum serve as an educational resource for students and community members.

Binky Lee Preserve

1445 Pikeland Road, Chester Springs

Natural woodlands and meadows are home to over 10,000 native trees, various wildlife species and a robust trail system.

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Black Rock Sanctuary

953 Black Rock Road, Phoenixville

Almost 120 acres of meadows, wetlands and woodlands, plus a .8-mile ADA-accessible interpretive trail.

Bondsville Mill Park

1647 Bondsville Road, Downingtown

This 47-acre park has mill ruins that date back to the 1800s. There’s also a .25-mile trail around the old mill and a .75-mile nature trail.

Brandywine Battlefield Park

1491 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, (610) 459-3342

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The largest land battle during the Revolutionary War took place here, and the 50 acres now serve as a site for education and remembrance.

Bryn Coed Preserve

1869 Flint Road, Chester Springs

This 520-acre preserve has a Pennsylvania champion white oak, eagles’ nests, the ruins of a 19th-century farmhouse, trails and more.

Cedar Hollow Preserve

1635 Church Road, Malvern

A 67-acre natural flood plain with trails that lead through woods and meadows.

ChesLen Preserve

1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville

The largest privately owned nature preserve open to the public in Chester County is a 1,282-acre swath with miles of hiking trails, canoeing and kayaking, woodlands and more.

Chester Valley Trail

A 13-mile paved trail from Exton to King of Prussia, following an old railroad track.

Cool Valley Preserve

11 Cool Valley Road, Malvern

More than 33 acres of meadows and forest are accessible via trails that are also used for cross-country skiing in the winter.

Crow’s Nest Preserve

201 Piersol Road, Elverson

Located next to Hopewell Big Woods, French Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, this 621-acre preserve has a playground, plenty of wildlife and four main trails.

Crum Woods

500 College Ave., Swarthmore

Part of Swarthmore College and open to the public, this 220-acre parcel has 3.5 miles of trails.

Diamond Rock Preserve

2050 Chautauqua Trail, Malvern

This 66-acre woodland preserve contains a wealth of trees, wildlife and several interconnecting and looping trails.

Evansburg State Park

851 Mayhall Road, Collegeville

Some of the area’s earliest settlers were farmers who used the nearby Skippack Creek as a source of hydropower. Today, visitors can see remains from some of the mills, hike, mountain bike, ride horses and more.

Exton Park

804 E. Swedesford Road, Exton

A 727-acre park with a pond, picnic tables, a two-mile walking trail and a multi-use field.

George Lorimer Preserve

1435 N. Valley Road, Malvern

An 88-acre preserve with 3.25 miles of trails that meander through meadows and woods.

Glen Providence Park

550 W. State St., Media

This 25-acre park offers 1.6 miles of trails.

Goose Creek Park

840 E. Street Road, West Chester

Try your hand at geocaching at this 12-acre park, which also has a half-mile walking trail, a playground and a pavilion.

Harmony Hill Nature Area

1200 Skelp Level Road, Downingtown

East Bradford Townships’ 240-acre park offers seven miles of hiking and biking trails, plus a picnic area. For a forested hike, try the 4.2-mile loop.

Haverford College Arboretum

370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, (610) 896-1000

The arboretum honors William Carvill’s 1834 landscape design, preserving its many trees. The 2.2-mile nature trail that runs through the campus is a peaceful route for runners and dog-walkers alike.

Hibernia County Park

1 Park Road, Coatesville

Visit the historic Hibernia Mansion or explore the 900-acre grounds, which offer camping, hiking, fishing and more.

Ithan Valley Park

642 S. Ithan Ave., Bryn Mawr

Remnants of an old mill can be found at this 19-acre park, which has a stream and 22 species of identified trees.

Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens

631 Berwyn Baptist Road, Devon, (610) 647-8870

Wander the woodland trails and see rare species of plants on this 48-acre property.

Kirkwood Preserve

855 Grubbs Mill Road, Newtown Square

Birders love this 83-acre preserve, which also has hiking and horseback-riding trails.

Longwood Gardens

1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, (610) 388-1000

With over 1,000 acres to explore, plus the conservatory and assorted eating and drinking options, this world-renowned garden is a great place to experience any season in all its glory.

Lower Perkiomen Valley Park

101 New Mill Road, Oaks

Situated along Perkiomen Creek, this 107-acre park has picnic pavilions, a playground, a basketball court, volleyball, fishing and more. It connects to the Perkiomen and Schuylkill River trails.

M. John Johnson Nature Center

810 Skelp Level Road, West Chester

A multi-use paved trail that connects to Sugar’s Bridge Nature Area. Bikes are permitted on the paved portion.

Marshall Mill House Preserve

932 Creek Road, Kennett Square

Situated on 40 acres and offering 1.5 miles of trails, the preserve is also home to the old Marshall Mill House.

McKaig Nature Education Center

889 Croton Road, Wayne

A 93-acre preserve with an array of outdoor and educational activities.

Newlin Grist Mill

219 Cheyney Road, Glen Mills

Home to a working grist mill built in 1704, this 160-acre park offers educational programs and a 2.9-mile walking loop. Trout fishing is popular in season.

Norristown Farm Park

2500 Upper Farm Road, Norristown

A working farm that’s been in use since colonial times. Hiking trails lead to forested areas and wetlands. Fifteen historic buildings date back to the 1700s, and there’s also a trout nursery.

Okehocking Preserve

5316 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square

Once part of land grant from William Penn to the Okehocking people of the Lenni Lenape Native Americans, this 180-acre preserve has seven miles of trails.

Paoli Battlefield Historical Park

Monument and Wayne avenues, Malvern

A 20-acre park with a parade ground and a memorial to Continental Army soldiers killed in the Revolutionary War battle.

Peacedale Preserve

126 Peacedale Road, Landenberg

Explore woodlands, hayfields and two streams via several connecting hiking loops on this 222-acre preserve.

Pocopson Township Trails

Various locations

A system of trails accessible through parks and green space.

Radnor Trail

520 Conestoga Road, Wayne

A 2.4-mile paved biking and walking trail extending from Radnor-Chester Road to Sugartown Road.

Ridley Creek State Park

1023 Sycamore Mills Road, Media

Wander more than 2,600 acres via a 13-mile trail system, with five miles of designated trails for biking and cross-country skiing. Horseback riding is available, and you can tour the historic Hunting Hill Mansion.

Rolling Hill Park

1301 Rose Glen Road, Gladwyne

A 103-acre park anchored by an 1896 caretaker’s cottage. It also has a native rain garden, meadows, woodlands, historic stone ruins and plenty of trails.

Sadsbury Woods Preserve

443 Old Wilmington Road, Coatesville

Part of the largest unfragmented woodlands in Chester County, this 508-acre preserve has two main trails.

Saunders Woods Preserve

1020 Waverly Road, Gladwyne

Explore the forest and an open meadow at this 25-acre preserve.

Saw Mill Park

666 Earles Lane, Newtown Square

Once home to the region’s earliest settlers, this 4.2-acre park has fishing, trails and access to the Willows and Skunk Hollow.

Schuylkill River Trail

This multiuse trail covers nearly 130 miles from Philadelphia to Pottsville.

The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College

500 College Ave., Swarthmore, (610) 328-8025

Educational and horticultural programs are plentiful at this 425-acre arboretum.

Sharp’s Woods Preserve

1415 Byrd Drive, Berwyn

Surrounded by development, this 27-acre preserve gives residents the space to escape into meadows and marshlands.

Shaw’s Bridge Park

274 S. Creek Road, West Chester

A 37-acre park with gravel trails.

Skunk Hollow Park

600 Darby Paoli Road, Villanova

More than 90 acres of conserved land is set aside for hiking and fishing. Three trails are available, and a popular community garden is a great resting spot.

Smedley Park

20 Papermill Road, Springfield

A 141-acre park with two ball fields, picnic tables and a 2.2-mile trail.

Springton Manor Farm

860 Springton Road, Glenmoore

A 300-acre park with a manor and carriage house, plus a barn and a variety of animals.

Squire Cheyney Park

Freedom Rider Trail, West Chester

Once used for crop farming, this park’s 52 acres now offer walking trails, a springhouse and interpretive signs.

Stateline Woods Preserve

814 Merrybell Lane, Kennett Square

An 82-acre preserve with four miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and winter cross-country skiing.

Stone Hills Preserve

124 Laver Road, Schwenksville

Part of the larger Unami Forest, this 13-acre preserve comes alive with wildflowers in spring.

Stoneleigh

1829 E. County Line Road, Villanova, (610) 353-5587, ext. 200

Once a family home, Stoneleigh is a public garden that celebrates the beauty of native plants and the importance of biodiversity.

Stroud Preserve

454 N. Creek Road, West Chester

This 571-acre preserve is a mix of grasslands woodlands and repurposed farmland. There are four main hiking trails, and horseback riding is available in select locations. It’s also used for scientific research by the Stroud Water Research Center.

Struble Trail

Dorlan Mill Road, Downingtown

Hike or bike on a 2.6-mile trail along the east branch of Brandywine Creek.

Timber Top Trails

832 Downingtown Pike, West Chester

More than two miles of walking and horseback-riding trails.

Tyler Arboretum

515 Painter Road, Media, (610) 566-9134

This 650-acre arboretum boasts an impressive collection of heritage and champion trees, 17 miles of hiking trails, and fun kid-friendly structures.

Valley Creek Park

361 Morehall Road, Malvern

A 35-acre park with tennis courts, a pavilion, a playground, trails and an amphitheater for summer concerts.

Valley Creek Preserve

Hayfield Road, Malvern

A 46-acre parcel with trails, meadows and access to trout fishing.

Valley Forge National Historical Park

1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia

The former site of the Continental Army’s 1777-78 winter encampment is now a history and nature lover’s paradise, with 28 miles of trails—some open to biking.

Wawa Preserve

127 Valley Road, Media

Part of this preserve’s 98 acres was once used for cattle grazing by the Wawa convenience store chain. Today, there are several trails.

White Clay Creek Preserve

405 Sharpless Road, Landenberg

Hike, bike and more on 2,072 acres.

Willisbrook Preserve

110 Township Line Road, Malvern

This 126-acre plot boasts a unique ecosystem known as the Sugartown Serpentine Barrens.

The Willows

490 Darby Paoli Road, Villanova

Aside from a wealth of willow trees, this park has a restored mansion built in the early 1900s, plus trails and picnic areas.

Wilson Farm Park

500 Lee Road, Chesterbrook

A popular gathering place in the Chesterbrook planned community, with an amphitheater, picnic areas, a playground and athletic facilities.

Wolf’s Hollow County Park

1399 Schoff Road, Atglen

The bluffs at this 569-acre park overlook Octoraro Creek. It has about 10 miles of trails.

Related: This Hiking Outfit Is Perfect for Treks Around the Main Line

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