Photo by Adobe Stock / Ted
The Main Line region is home to an abundance of natural destinations, from gardens and arboretums to national parks and trails.
OUR PICKS
FRENCH CREEK STATE PARK
Among the largest state parks in the area, French Creek boasts over 7,500 acres for visitors to explore. Hikers love the more than 35 miles of trails.
843 Park Road, Elverson
HAVERFORD COLLEGE ARBORETUM
The school’s arboretum honors William Carvill’s 1834 landscape design, preserving its many trees.
370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, (610) 896-1000
OKEHOCKING PRESERVE
Once part of a land grant from William Penn to the Okehocking band of Lenni Lenape Indians, this 180-acre preserve has seven miles of trails.
5315 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square
PARKS, GARDENS & PRESERVES
AIRDRIE FOREST PRESERVE
With 3.25 miles of trails, this wooded preserve boasts over 75 acres.
140 Fennerton Road, Paoli
ANSON B. NIXON PARK
This is a popular spot for families thanks to its picnic area, playground and dog park. It also hosts summer concerts and offers fishing.
405 N Walnut Road, Kennett Square
BARNES ARBORETUM AT SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY
Located on the St. Joe’s campus, this 12-acre arboretum houses an impressive collection of specimen trees and herbaceous plants.
50 Lapsey Lane, Merion Station, (610) 660-2802
BINKY LEE PRESERVE
Natural woodlands and meadows are home to over 10,000 native trees, various wildlife species and a robust trail system.
1445 Pikeland Road, Chester Springs
BLACK ROCK SANCTUARY
With almost 120 acres of meadows, wetlands and woodlands, the highlight here is an .8-mile ADA-accessible interpretive trail.
953 Black Rock Road, Phoenixville
BONDSVILLE MILL PARK
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.
1647 Bondsville Road, Downingtown
BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELD PARK
The largest land battle in the American Revolution took place at this site. Today, visitors can explore the 50-plus acre park and its two historic houses on select days.
1491 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford
BRYN COED PRESERVE
This 520-acre preserve has a Pennsylvania champion white oak, eagles’ nests, the ruins of a 19th-century farmhouse, trails and more.
1869 Flint Road, Chester Springs
CEDAR HOLLOW PRESERVE
This 67-acre natural flood plain with trails leads through woods and meadows.
1635 Church Road, Malvern
CHESLEN PRESERVE
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.
1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville
CHANTICLEER
Once the Rosengarten estate, Chanticleer is a colorful contemporary garden enhanced by its historic setting.
786 Church Road, Wayne, (610) 687-4163
CHESTER VALLEY TRAIL
This 13-mile paved trail follows an old railroad track from Exton to King of Prussia.
1055 Westlakes Drive, Berwyn
COOL VALLEY PRESERVE
More than 33 acres of meadows and forest are accessible via trails that are also used for cross-country skiing in the winter.
11 Cool Valley Road, Malvern
CROW’S NEST PRESERVE
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.
201 Piersol Road, Elverson
CRUM WOODS
Part of Swarthmore College and open to the public, this 220-acre parcel has 3.5 miles of trails.
500 College Ave, Swarthmore
DIAMOND ROCK PRESERVE
Located off the Horse-Shoe Trail, this 66-acre woodland preserve contains a wealth of trees, wildlife and several interconnecting and looping trails.
Chautauqua Trail, Malvern
EVANSBURG STATE PARK
Some of the area’s earliest settlers were farmers who used the nearby Skippack Creek for energy. Today, visitors can see remains from some of the mills, hike, mountain bike, ride horses and more.
851 Mayhall Road, Collegeville
EXTON PARK
At this 727-acre park, you’ll find a pond, picnic tables, a two-mile walking trail and a multiuse field.
800 Swedesford Road, Exton
GEORGE LORIMER PRESERVE
Situated on an 88-acre preserve, 3.25 miles of trails meander through meadows and woods.
435 N Valley Road, Malvern
GLEN PROVIDENCE PARK
This 25-acre park offers 1.6 miles of trails.
550 W State St, Media
GOOSE CREEK PARK
Try your hand at geocaching at this 12-acre park, which also has a half-mile walking trail, a playground and a pavilion.
840 E Street Road, West Chester
HARMONY HILL NATURE AREA
East Bradford Township’s 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.
1200 Skelp Level Road, Downingtown
HIBERNIA COUNTY PARK
Visit the historic Hibernia Mansion or explore 900 acres, which offer camping, hiking, fishing and more.
1 Park Road, Coatesville
HILDACY PRESERVE
Native grasses thrive in the meadows of this 55-acre preserve along Crum Creek, which also offers trails.
1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media
ITHAN VALLEY PARK
Remnants of an old mill can be found at this 19-acre park, which has a stream and 22 species of identified trees.
542 S Ithan Ave, Bryn Mawr
JENKINS ARBORETUM & GARDENS
Wander the woodland trails and see rare species of plants on this 48-acre property.
631 Berwyn Baptist Road, Devon, (610) 647-8870
KIRKWOOD PRESERVE
Birders love this 83-acre preserve, which also has hiking and horseback riding trails.
Grubbs Mill Road, Newtown Square
LONGWOOD GARDENS
With over 1,000 acres to explore, plus the conservatory and assorted eating and drinking options, Kennett Square’s world-renowned Longwood Gardens is a great place to experience any season in all its glory.
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, (610) 388-1000
LOWER PERKIOMEN VALLEY PARK
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.
101 New Mill Road, Oaks
M. JOHN JOHNSON NATURE CENTER
Bikes are permitted on the paved portion of this multiuse trail that connects to Sugar’s Bridge Nature Area.
810 Skelp Level Road, West Chester
MARSH CREEK STATE PARK
Explore Chester County’s expansive 1,705-acre state park on a paddleboard or ride a horse at Hope Springs Farm, hike forest trails, rent a sailboat, go fishing or picnic with family and friends at one of the many grills.
675 Park Road, Downingtown
MARSHALL MILL HOUSE PRESERVE
Situated on 40 acres and offering 1.5 miles of trails, the preserve is also home to the old Marshall Mill House.
932 Creek Road, Kennett Square
MCKAIG NATURE EDUCATION CENTER
Find an array of outdoor and educational activities on this 93-acre preserve.
889 Croton Road, Wayne
MT. BRADFORD PRESERVE
This 40-acre preserve features nature trails and a nine-hole disc golf course.
921 Sconnelltown Road, West Chester
NEWLIN GRIST MILL PARK
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.
219 Cheyney Road, Glen Mills
NORRISTOWN FARM PARK
A working farm that’s been in use since colonization, hiking trails lead to forested areas and wetlands. Fifteen historic buildings date back to the 1700s, and there’s also a trout nursery.
2500 Upper Farm Road, Norristown
PAOLI BATTLEFIELD HISTORICAL PARK
This 20-acre park is home to a parade ground and a memorial to Continental Army soldiers killed in the Revolutionary War battle.
Monument and Wayne Aves, Malvern
PEACEDALE PRESERVE
Explore woodlands, hayfields and two streams via several connecting hiking loops on this 222-acre preserve.
126 Peacedale Road, Landenberg
POCOPSON TOWNSHIP TRAILS
This system of trails includes parks and green space.
Various locations
RADNOR TRAIL
This 2.4-mile paved biking and walking trail extends from Radnor-Chester Road to Sugartown Road.
520 Conestoga Road, Wayne
RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK
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.
1023 Sycamore Mills Road, Media
ROLLING HILL PARK
This 103-acre park is anchored by an 1896 caretaker’s cottage. It also has a native rain garden, meadows, woodlands, historic stone ruins and plenty of trails.
1301 Rose Glen Road, Gladwyne
SADSBURY WOODS PRESERVE
Part of the largest unfragmented woodlands in Chester County, this 508-acre preserve has two main trails.
443 Old Wilmington Road, Coatesville
SAUNDERS WOODS PRESERVE
Explore the forest and an open meadow at this 25-acre preserve.
1020 Waverly Road, Gladwyne
SAW MILL PARK
Once home to the region’s earliest settlers, this 4.2-acre park has fishing, trails and access to the Willows and Skunk Hollow.
666 Earles Lane, Newtown Square
SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIL
This multiuse trail covers nearly 130 miles from Philadelphia to Pottsville.
Various locations
SCOTT ARBORETUM OF SWARTHMORE COLLEGE
Educational and horticultural programs are plentiful at this 425-acre arboretum.
500 College Ave, Swarthmore, (610) 328-8025
SHARP’S WOODS PRESERVE
Surrounded by development, this 27-acre preserve gives residents the space to escape into meadows and marshlands.
1415 Byrd Drive, Berwyn
SHAW’S BRIDGE PARK
Explore gravel trails across this 37-acre park.
274 S Creek Road, West Chester
SKUNK HOLLOW PARK
Ninety acres of conserved land are great for hiking and fishing.
600 Darby Paoli Road, Villanova
SMEDLEY PARK
This 141-acre park features two ball fields, picnic tables and a 2.2-mile trail.
20 Papermill Road, Springfield
SPRINGTON MANOR FARM
Situated on 300 acres, this park includes a manor and carriage house, a barn and a slew of animals.
860 Springton Road, Glenmoore
SQUIRE CHEYNEY PARK
Once used for crop farming, this park’s 52 acres now offer walking trails, a springhouse and interpretive signs.
Freedom Rider Trail, West Chester
STATELINE WOODS PRESERVE
This 82-acre preserve features four miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and winter cross-country skiing.
814 Merrybell Lane, Kennett Square
STONE HILLS PRESERVE
Part of the larger Unami Forest, this 13-acre preserve comes alive with wildflowers in the spring.
124 Laver Road, Schwenksville
STONELEIGH
Once a family home, Stoneleigh is a public garden that celebrates the beauty of native plants and the importance of biodiversity.
1829 E County Line Road, Villanova, (610) 353-5587, ext. 200
STROUD PRESERVE
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.
454 N Creek Road, West Chester
STRUBLE TRAIL
Hike or bike on a 2.6-mile trail along the east branch of Brandywine Creek.
Dorlan Mill Road, Downingtown
TIMBER TOP TRAILS
Here you’ll find more than two miles of walking and horseback riding trails.
832 Downingtown Pike, West Chester
TYLER ARBORETUM
This 650-acre arboretum boasts an impressive collection of heritage and champion trees, 17 miles of hiking trails and fun kid-friendly structures.
515 Painter Road, Media, (610) 566-9134
VALLEY CREEK PARK
The 35-acre park offers tennis courts, a pavilion, a playground, trails and an amphitheater for summer concerts.
361 Morehall Road, Frazer
VALLEY CREEK PRESERVE
This 46-acre parcel features trails, meadows and access to trout fishing.
Hayfield Road, Malvern
VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
The former site of the Continental Army’s 1777-78 winter encampment is now a nature lover’s paradise, with 28 miles of trails—some open to biking.
1400 N Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia
WAWA PRESERVE
Part of this preserve’s 98 acres was once used for cattle grazing by the Wawa convenience store chain. Today, there are several trails.
127 Valley Road, Media
WHITE CLAY CREEK PRESERVE
Hike, bike and more on 2,072 acres.
405 Sharpless Road, Landenberg
WILLISBROOK PRESERVE
This 126-acre plot boasts a unique ecosystem known as the Sugartown Serpentine Barrens.
110 Township Line Road, Malvern
THE WILLOWS
Aside from a wealth of willow trees, this park has a restored mansion built in the early 1900s, plus trails and picnic areas.
490 Darby Paoli Road, Villanova
WILSON FARM PARK
This popular gathering place in the Chesterbrook planned community includes an amphitheater, picnic areas, a playground and athletic facilities.
500 Lee Road, Chesterbrook
WOLF’S HOLLOW COUNTY PARK
The bluffs at this 569-acre park overlook Octoraro Creek. It has about 10 miles of trails.
1399 Schoff Road, Atglen
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