I have been coming to Valley Green or whatever is it called now since I was born. Maybe I waited a couple months. I'm not sure. It's my favorite place to be in Philly. It's takem some time to realize that this is considered a different place than Fairmount Park. Please understand that Fairmount Park and Wissahickon are the same park. Meaning that they connect to each other and if you wanted to, you could walk run or bike all the way from Bell's Mill to the Art Museum. My dad used to do it every Saturday when he was training for a marathon. When I was a little kid, I loved to walk around here because honestly, it was the it's the only place that you can go and really understand. I feel what the area looked like before. Colonizers moved to the area and it was all developed. Just go in the park and think that this is what it looked like at 10th and market before the British got there or the Dutch or whoever. The Europeans. That a lot of places were landmarks. I also think that it's important if you can to get off of the main trail and go looking around. I would not recommend coming here at 2 AM to smoke a joint, even if you know exactly where you are going. This was something I did maybe 23 years ago or so with two friends and it was so stupid of us. All you can see is absolutely nothing. You can see how darkness has a texture to it. We sat on a bench and you can hear all around you animals. They make the little animal noises which is somewhat comforting sometimes and then you hear branches cracking and you're really hoping that it's the animals that you've heard making the noises and that there's not somebody out there with night vision. It's not something that I think many people would do in 2026 because it's a different world but just take my word for it. Another thing is swimming in devils pool. Don't do that. Unlike the rest of the water, which is iffy, devils pool does not empty. It does not flow. The water is the same water. It has always been with the same e. Coli. If you see kids, jumping off of a rock into a pool of water and think it looks like fun remember that it's probably worse than jumping i to the Schullkyll (probably spelled that awful). Some highlights would be the stable area off of Monastery Road (near Ridge or Henry Avenue I forget which). You see people riding horses around the trails but it's my understanding that if you don't go to Saul or have not given some serious cash to help keep up the park, you are not going to be riding any horses. Let's put it this way: I have lived here 45 years dreaming of getting to ride a horse in Fairmount Park and have yet to figure out how to do so, but I haven't had many friendly conversations with the people who work there and just enjoy that area of the park. It is beautiful right now, which is late May.. there were no horses around on the day that I was there last except for the one in the video below, but they are usually all over the place. It is kept extremely pristine and there is an old monastery there that is bucolic and beautiful as well as a huge field of buttercups (apparently I like butter so much that I should tell my doctor and get my cholesterol checked). Of course, you can always hike up to what we used to call the chief, and if I tried to write his name, besides knowing that it begins with Teddy, I would just be embarrassing myself here. The friends of the Wissahickon it's probably the best site to get information on the park from whether that is ours or volunteer opportunities. Hiking up to pistachio is a lot of fun. I think that I could say that I was maybe seven or eight when we first started going up there. I will leave you with an interesting fact that I just learned: the Wissahickon Creek starts in the parking lot of the Montgomery Mall. That was on the friends of the Wissahickon website. Which if you know anything about the Montgomery mall or malls in general, it's kind of really funny. Anyway, enjoy my pictures and enjoy the park. Run do not walk to this park! Or walk or bike or whatever. And keep in mind it is connected to Fairmount Park and you can just Google where that connection is so know that you can use this part to get to the Kelly Drive area of Fairmount Park. Please enjoy my other reviews as they are much funnier than this one. read more

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Hard to rate an entire park this massive, but all things considered, after 5 years of traversing the trails here, this is an awesome park. Note that I live in U-City, so the fact that such a massive trail system exists in only a ~20 minute drive, depending on which part of the park I start in, is a blessing and keeps my sanity. Friends of Wissahickon does a great job maintaining trails and even expanding the system over the past few years. I don't think I've ever observed an unseemly part of the park. Definitely unseemly times of year like the snow thaw or the time between the trees dying and the snow falling, but otherwise, this park is beautiful all times of year. I've never had a hard time parking, never even had trouble with crowds even around the most popular trails (ex. Forbidden Drive). Even the bikers are friendly and patient here! Would strongly recommend not only visiting but coming back to keep exploring! I'm still finding new gems in this massive trail system. read more

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Whatever "cool and chill" means to you, please safely picture the polar opposite when it comes to me planning a hike with my dog. "Absolutely unhinged level of planning" is more accurate. Google maps view of the entrance I am thinking of? Yes. Read all the Yelp reviews? Yes. Looked at the website and trail maps? Yes. I really put the "you" in "what's wrong with you" given that hikes are supposed to be, I don't know, relaxing and fun? I am miserable to report that, for the Wissahickon, you can probably just show up somewhere near the park, find an entrance, and have an absolutely beautiful ambling experience no matter what. This is a sprawling park with many different trails that are clearly marked, many of which veer off of the main "Forbidden Drive" that anchors you to the creek. My dog and I traversed for about 4 miles along this path and the yellow trail, looping back to where I parked on Green Lane. There was SO much that we missed so I am looking forward to heading back soon and trying a different trail. We arrived at around 10am on a beautiful Saturday morning, later than I had hoped due to traffic, but the park was not overcrowded and I found parking with ease. This is a park for every season and I can't believe it took me seven months of Philly living to get up here. If you're an overplanner like me, I DO recommend a look at the website which does a great job discussing parking and realistic trail descriptions. Looking forward to many a park day with my dog and exploring more elements of this fantastic park. read more

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Such a beautiful place to walk around, especially in the fall! Great for people who want to take in the nature but want more of a walk than a difficult hike (although I didn't explore many of the trails so I'm not sure if they vary in difficulty!) read more

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There are dozens of miles of trails in Wissahickon Valley Park, a lush, 1,800-acre gorge, crossing forest and meadow before plunging down to the sun-dappled waters of the Wissahickon Creek. You will find yourself lost in a feeling of wilderness as you walk, bike or ride horses through this undisputed gem of Philadelphia's park system. Lots of free parking. Great for photography, hiking and a great escape from the busy city areas of Philly. Walk it to relax and clear your mind after a busy work day or on a weekend morning to get your day started off on the right foot. There are many trails so it will take quite some time to cover them all. I recommend first timers to install the Google map and follow the pre-installed trails. It's so beautiful, huge and peaceful, especially walking/hiking it during the spring, summer and fall. read more

Wissahickon Park - Beautiful Park - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I always love going for a hike/walk through the park. If you're looking for something flat, Forbidden Drive is great. Otherwise there are plenty of hiking trails throughout (watch out for the bikers-they come in fast but always announce themselves). The area is super dog-friendly and has great views. I love coming in the Fall to see all of the leaves change. Tons of great places to go eat/drink nearby after (I love going to wissahickon brewery!). The only drawback is the lack of parking. read more

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Lots of hikes, places for you to dip your feet into the creek, Devil's Pool is a classic but during peak times is very crowded and people WILL be barbecuing and blasting music so be forewarned. Overall a lovely spot close to the heart of Philly! read more

Beautiful park! Great public park within a major city. On some days you can find trails where there is quiet and solitude.

I came to Wissahickon specifically to find a cluster of "rare birds" that had been reported. I knew they were last seen at Houston Meadow, so I parked on the Thomas Mill Terrace roundabout and entered the park at the trail entrance that is right there. Immediately upon passing the gate I saw red bellied and downy woodpeckers flying overhead. As I walked toward Houston Meadow I saw lots of wrens and birds of prey flying above. Within about 15 minutes I had found the birds I had come to see (common redpolls), and also met some other birders on a quest to do the same thing as me - everyone I encountered was very friendly and mindful of COVID safety. The park is HUGE and there are lots of trails. When I went today it was covered in snow and ice, but man, a person could definitely get lost spending the entire day out here. I am sad that I didn't get to see the covered bridge, but I'll definitely be returning in the future. This is a great place to watch wildlife, run, hike, etc. Very cool! read more

love this park! Has some really great trails, to walk, run and just think while surrounded by so much nature. Haven't been here in years so not sure about the security issues but what I remember is spending hours here hiking the trails and getting in some good miles. read more

This is the spot we always take our dog. One of my absolute favorites. It can get packed though. We normally start up by the Valley Green inn. Parking up there is hard to find if you aren't early and it's nice out. Recent we tried the forbidden drive entrance. This led to a ticket from the PPA. There was no posted sign telling me I'd be charged $41 for parking there. So be careful. Don't park anywhere questionable. Also watch doing off leash. My dog went after a deer and we almost lost him! My wife and I were chasing through the forest after him like we were extras in Last of the Mohicans. You know the ones that showed up but ended up being cut from the film? read more

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A great place to walk, ride your bike etc...just get a little outdoor exercise in, especially in the city. it's relatively popular so sometimes can get a little crowded (and therefore parking becomes a little more difficult)...I saw lots of people out with their dogs, so it's definitely dog friendly. I like the uneven terrain and rolling hills for some variety (reminded me a little of rock creek park in the dc area). My gripes are that at times it can feel a little unsafe, when it gets dark early (hey there daylight savings) there were no lamps so got pitch black and I felt like there was no staff presence....hope for the best, I guess. read more

Love love love wissahickon park. Great hike for beginners, can choose to stay on the flat trail or venture into the more intermediate paths. Also everyone's really friendly so it's nice when you want to be pseudo social. read more

Wissahickon Park - Trail view - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I love walking here! I love visiting in every season but my favorite season to visit is fall! The changing leaves are so beautiful. This park is family friendly with wonderful sights! read more

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This is the time of year to be at the Wissahickon. It is stunning. Go in the next few weeks for peak foliage before the leaves come down. A bit tricky to find clear signs of where trails go, so bring a map and take photos of the park map. But besides that, forbidden drive is a highlight of the Philadelphia area and should not be missed. A path wide enough for bikers, runners and dogs and there's space for everyone. Right along the river the entire walk. Stunning bridges. read more

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I love this park! There are a plenty of trails to choose from. On my visit I went on the trail that follows the water. There were a ton of people out running, biking, and walking. Dog are allowed at this park. This is a unique trail because there are places along the path that share details about the history of the area. On the way back to my car I tried taking the orange trail and was pleased with how much more of a trail feel it had. I love being able to climb rocks, hike up hills and take stairs so I really enjoyed this option. There were even a couple streams to walk through (my feet didn't get wet though). I was also surprised at how much friendlier the people on the orange trail were. Maybe because the path is more narrow people feel obligated to say hello but every person I passed acknowledged me. If I lived in the Philadelphia area this would be a regular place I'd visit. If it had been warmer I would have loved to hang my hammock somewhere and get lost in a good book! read more

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I have been coming here at least once a week for the past few years to go for a hike, run, or stroll. Even though I have been here 28384038 times, there are still new things I'm finding about this place. From icicles in the winter to the beautiful fall foliage, this is your perfect getaway from philly while still technically being in philly. There are a ton of access points to this park, and a number of parking lots. I'd recommend using residential access points because the lots have a history of car break ins, such as wise mill road lot, valley green lot, bells mill lot. read more

Wissahickon Park - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wissahickon is a nice trail (or set of trails, really) super close to Center City Philadelphia. While I accidentally input the wrong address in the first time, the actual trail head that we used (near the Valley Green Inn) is less than 30 minutes away from City Hall. My post-hike sleuthing showed that you can use the 9 bus to Andorra to get super close to the trail as well, but I haven't tried that yet. Overall, this trail was great. For us, parking wasn't too difficult (don't get deterred when you first enter because there is an actual parking lot to use when you get closer to the Valley Green Inn). It was nice that there was a bathroom (aka a port-a-potty) to use at the trailhead, which many trails don't have. After finishing up your hike, there are some refreshments you can grab at the Valley Green Inn. I saw tons of different folks on various parts of the trail (incl. people biking and kids), so there is something here for everyone. When I came during COVID, most folks were wearing masks which was nice to see. Overall, a great spot to hike in near Philly (even for relatively novice hikers such as myself!) read more

Come here almost every weekend. Generally very clean and feels safe. My only suggestion is to be vigilant if your dog doesn't get along with others because many owners let their dogs run off leash and let them run up to people/dogs on leash read more

Wissahickon Park - Wissahickon park in the fall - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wissahickon Park is a little paradise within the city of Philadelphia. There are trails to run, bike, walk dogs, etc... it's a peaceful and provides a little nature in an otherwise crazy city. Lots of trees, a creek and plenty of paths to choose from. They even have restrooms at the trailhead. I'm definitely coming back as soon as possible. It's really a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere! read more

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Beautiful park at the heart of Philadelphia. I caught beautiful fall colors, the trails are full of beautiful stop and view points.. I did the orange trail.. The stop at the Kitchen Bridge is wonderful.. The view is beautiful, the water is clear and clean. I can spend all day just listening to the river flows. The trail is a bit crowded with a lot or visitors.. But everyone was wearing masks so it was nice. You can make it a day out of it.. Just wonderful! read more

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Awesome park with lots of trails. I love coming here when the weather is nice. It is a perfect way to escape the city and get some fresh air. It is the perfect place to run, walk, hike, have a picnic, fish, cool off, or just relax. There are an abundance of activities you can do here and there is something for just about everyone. There is lots to explore, and your walk/hike can be as challenging or as easy as you choose. Lots of cool places to just sit and relax along the river as well to either get some sun or find some shade on a hot day. I can't wait to go back and explore some of the other trails. read more

Wissahickon Park makes me forget that I live in a big city. There is no better place to get some exercise and clear your head in my opinion. I've walked the train a few times and every time I find something new and intriguing...caves, creeks, mysterious stairways, all sorts of fun stuff! The trails are really well maintained and marked. It's difficult to get lost if you remember where you park and follow the signs. I like entering at Kitchens Lane and hiking to the Forbidden Drive entrance. It's a beautiful walk which is good for beginners too. Every time I walk, I meet someone cool and see lots of cute dogs too. Wins all around. read more

Wonderful park - it's large enough that you get a complete break from the city, and it's absolutely gorgeous. On par with Rock Creek Park in DC, I wish more cities had something like this to offer. You could easily spend a whole day hiking here without getting bored. read more

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Absolutely beautiful. Went for a short hike with my friend and we were stunned with how clean and just beautiful this expansive park is. It's amazing to see that somewhere in the city lies a beautiful expansive park that is not only huge, but untouched by man made mechanisms for the most part. Excited to go again and keep exploring, there are so many entrances, places to park, and trails. Cute picnics area and dogs playing in the grass. read more

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The BEST place to come when you want some fresh air. Easy hikes for all ages and a pretty river/waterfall area. You can park at the Green Roof Inn- set your GPS for this location. read more

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Beautiful scenery. Not worth it for the lack of security. After our hike we returned to the parking lot to find that our car window had been smashed and my mother's purse was stolen. We were told by the lot attendant and a passerby that this has happened here before, yet there's not a single park ranger present. Even with the constant foot traffic and activity in the parking lot this person was able to get away with breaking into our car. Unbelievable. Went and found the manager for help at the village tavern who was rude and unsympathetic. Will not be coming back here ever. My advice, if you go there don't leave anything of value in your car but you might get your window smashed in anyway. read more

A great spot to venture out to on the weekends! I've been in Philly for the last five years, and while I love living here, sometimes I just need to be in a green space where I CAN'T see high rise buildings. Enter Wissahickon park. Wissahickon is 1,800 acres of green space located right next to Fairmount and Manayunk in Philadelphia. Hike, bike, or walk one of their many trails, tramp through the woods, or go fishing along the creek. I've been at some point during every season, and it's beautiful and well worth the trip regardless of when you go. It's also accessible via public transportation and close enough to bike to (along the schuylkill trail). read more

Wissahickon Park - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Just let nature immerse you in its wonder when you come here. It's such a tranquil place to walk/run/hike/bike on trails and paths. You can venture around in the hills and see beautiful views; learn about the history at different landmarks and watch water gushing through the rocks in the river. It's really a nice place to visit with any one--friends, family, or bae (sorry for the millenial term for significant other) :). I think I just found a gem! read more

We love wissahickon, and most importantly our dog loves wissahickon. We come here every weekend for a hike and some fresh air. We love it!

lovely park, lots of inclines so it's great for a light workout. Went on a sunny day and it provides so much shade and cool spots, just bring a water bottle haha and my small dog loved it. Very dog friendly. Will be back! read more

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Nice park with some historic sites. Unfortunately they were closed so I wasn't able to get inside of them. (The stone house with the yellow shingles, has a sign out front they're open every other Saturday to end of October. On parks' website, also, it's noted the structure is "the site of North America's first paper mill.") I didn't walk that much actually as I had had lunch 1/2 hour earlier so my energy wasn't good. Took pictures, mainly. Enjoy! read more

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I like to call this place magic fairy land. I've been hiking, biking, and running in the Wiss for almost 8 years and I always discover something new in this park. It's amazing that such a pristine and naturally beautiful place is only 10 min away from center city! Anytime you need to get away from the city and recharge this park is always there. read more

Great trail! Went with East Fall Locals and loved it. They are great leaders. Very down to earth and love that they consider what the group wants. We did a two hour walk and I will definitely be back. Loved seeing the cave, lovers leaps and SLOWLY running up the steps. Being able to bring my dog topped it off. They were very understanding and knowledgeable of different dog personalities. Walking as a "pack" worked well for all the dogs there. read more

Wissahickon Park - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I love bringing my dogs here but I wish people would abide by the leash law. I stopped going because most dogs off leash are aggressive or poorly trained. When will people listen do their kids need to be mauled for someone to realize that leash laws are in place for everyone's protection! read more

A heaven like get away in Philadelphia! I love this place and hanging down by the creek finding shells. Never ran into any issues with bike riders or pets. Well maintained park and a place for a good work out, date, or to take the kids bike riding. read more

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A beautiful gem in Philadelphia. We took the bus to a few minutes outside the park from Center City, and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly and easily (and cheaply)! we were able to spend a beautiful day in the forest and by the river. Playing by the river is wonderful for a lazy day, there are flat trails for those who want a quick walk, and even harder mountain biking/equestrian trails for the most stout-hearted. I have hiked the most intensive trail in the park before, and consider it a moderate, do-able, but beautifully winding and properly difficult trail for those who want to get a day of exercise and nature! read more

Wissahickon Park - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This is a great park. I love that it's easily accessible and so close to the center of the city. For the most part, it's pretty well maintained, although some of the more popular sites are pretty heavily littered (such as Devil's Pool). The Wissahickon Creek runs through the park. On one side of the creek, there are a ton of nature trails, mostly easy trails for some light hiking/running/biking. Forbidden Drive runs the length of the park on the other side of the creek. It's a wide gravel path, great for a scenic walk or run through the park. There are many access points with parking lots. Check out the Friends of the Wissahickon (www.fow.org) website for a google map of where to park! read more

Wissahickon Park - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Oh so gorgeous, the drive the walk, the woods, the entire park. Find time to maneuver the park and find yourself in a deep meditative retreat. This is like a Central Park of Philly but just not located in the center of the city but instead on the outskirts of the city. read more

NOT SAFE. I went on a Saturday afternoon and the place was packed, filled with people. Unfortunately my car was broken into when I came back. I tracked the time they used my credit card and it was ONLY 40 minutes AFTER I ENTERED THE PARK. So ovbs I was being watched. And even though the parking lot was crawling with people they managed to brake my window and go through everything in my car, even got into my trunk. The trails itself are nice but don't go on the left side of the river from the village inn. A bunch of sketchy people hang out there. read more