Nature Activities

If you are into the outdoors please check this link for hiking trails/letterboxing, camping grounds, canoeing/rafting, arboretums/gardens, caverns, conservatories/nature centers, and parks. Also if you have time to seach on your own, this site Getoutdoorspa has lots of activites and more information.

Hiking Trails and Letterboxing

Trails.com - This site is a great resource for all hiking and walking trails in PA - definitely check it out first.

Montgomery country trail plan and maps - It has a map and links to all the trails in Montgomery county.

Fall in pa hiking - This site is great for day hike trails as well as biking trails.

Letter Boxing Website - Letterboxing is a fun activity that's like solving a puzzle or a mystery while hiking, here's a list of all the letterboxing places in our area.

What is Letter boxing - This is a great website to read with your kids to find out exactly what letterboxing is.

Mountain Biking Trails - This great site tells you about all the great mountain biking trails in PA, where they are, and how they're rated.

Back to the top

Camping Grounds - MAP of camping grounds

Country Acres Family Campground - 20 Leven Rd. Gordonville, PA 17529 - 717.687.8014

Country Haven Campground - 354 Springville Rd. New Holland, PA 17557 - 717.354.7926

Eagles Peak - 397 Eagles Peak Road Robesonia, PA 19551 - 610.589.4800

Green Lane Park - 2144 Snyder Rd. Routes 29&63 Green Lane, PA18054 - 215.234.4528 - It is only $7.00 a night and they have a ton of hiking trails, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, 2 playgrounds, concerts in the park, boating, and full working bathrooms with the showers (in the campground) it is patroled all day and night and only campers are allowed in the campground.

Knobel's Amusement Resort - Elysburg, PA (directions) - 800-487-4386

Lickdale Campground - 11 Lickdale Rd. Jonestown, PA 17038 - 717.865.6411

Oak Creek Camp - 400 E. Maple Grove Rd. Narvon, PA 17555 - 717.445.6161

Old Mill Stream Campground - 2249 Lincoln Hwy E. Lancaster, PA 17602 - 717.299.2314

Philadelphia KOA - 1659 Embreeville Road Coatesville, PA 19320 - 610.486.0447

Pennsylvania Dutch Camp Ground - Shartlesville, PA 19554 - 610.488.6268

Robin Hill Camping Resort - 149 Robin Hill Rd. Lenhartsville, PA 19534 - 610.756.6117

Tucquan Park Family Campground - 917 River Rd. Holtwood, PA 17532 - 717.284.2156

Yogi Bear's Camp- Resort - Elmer, NJ (directions) - 1.800.252.2890

Other Special Places to camp

Elmwood Park Zoo - 1661 Harding Boulevard Norristown, PA 19401 - 610.277.3825 - The zoo snooze is only certain days during the summer so check out their website.

Back to the top

Canoeing/Rafting - MAP of water activities

Delaware River Tubing - 102 Kingsclere Dr. Southampton, PA 18966 - 1.866.938.8823
They have tubing and rafting. Their prices vary depending on the activity, you can even get packages with free meals.

Northbrook Canoe Company - 1810 Beagle Rd. West Chester, PA 19382 - 610.793.2279
They have canoes, kayaking, and tubing. Prices differ depending on where you go from, how long and which activity you do. They require reservations.

Pocono Whitewater Rafting - 1519 State Route 903 Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 - 1.800.WHITEWATER
They have three different course with class I to class III rapids. They also have family style rafting. Prices vary depending on your group and which release you go down.

River Country - 2 Walters Lane Point Pleasant, PA 18950 - 215.297.5000
They have kayaks, canoes, rafts, and snuggle tubes. Prices vary depending on what activity you're doing.

Back to the top

Arboretums/Gardens - MAP of arboretums

The Academy of Natural Sciences - 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103 - 215.299.1000
They have a butterfly garden that is $2 in addition to the museum fee. The garden also features interactive computer games, a chamber of live pupae, and animal kiosks.

Awbury Arboretum - 1 Awbury Road Philadelphia, PA 19138 - 215. 849.2855
They have an open ground to walk around, classes for kids, workshops and other events. There is no admission to walk around the grounds, but some of their programs have a cost associated with them.

Camden Children’s Garden- 3 Riverside Drive Camden, NJ 08103 - 1.856.365.8733  (1 hour Southeast of Norristown)
This garden is meant for kids and those young at heart to explore the natural world. They have a butterfly house, a dniosaur garden, maze, picnic garden, tree house, amphitheatre, storybook garden, and more. They are open daily 10AM-5PM. The cost is $6 for adults, $4 for children (3-11) and free for children under 3.

Center Point Pond - Water Garden Nursery & Fishing Picnic Grove - 1814 Valley Forge Rd. Worcester, PA - 610.222.9060
This beautiful pond has a great landscape and small fish and critters, but it also has fishing open to the public for a fee, and you can even rent rods right there.

Chanticleer Gardens - 786 Church Rd. Wayne, PA 19087 - 610.687.4163
They have beautiful grounds to walk on, a garden full of art, classes and workshops. They are open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, April through October. The garden is also open on Friday evenings until 8:00 p.m. from May through August and the cost is $5 for everyone over 16.

Haverford College Campus - 370 E. Lancaster Ave. Haverford, PA 19041 - 610.896.1101
They have a pinetum, gardens, a duck pond and more. If you become a member, which is very inexpensive, you can get lectures, campus walks, garden trips and invitations to special events.

Historic Bartram’s Garden - 54th St. and Lindbergh Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19143 - 215.729.5281
This is America's oldest botanical garden. You can visit the house, farm buildings, an archaeological dig, wetlands, and trails. Admission is $5 for adult, $4 for Seniors, and children 12 and under are free. Tours cost more. The grounds are free to walk around and they are open everyday 10AM-5PM.

Hershey Gardens - 170 Hotel Rd. Hershey, PA 17033 - 717.534.3492 (Over 1.5 hours West of Norristown)
They have 23 acres of beautiful gardens, a butterfly house, theme gardens and a new children's garden. They are open daily 9AM-5PM. The cost is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $6 for children 3-15, and free for those under 3.

Jenkins Arboretum - 631 Berwyn Baptist Rd. Devon, PA 19333 - 610.647.8870
They have 1.2 miles of paved walkways through the native woodland, educational activities, workshops, and special events. They are open from 8AM to sunset 365 days a year. There is no charge to come into the arboretum.

Longwood Gardens - 1001 Longwood Rd. Kennett Square, PA 19348 - 610.388.1000 (45 minutes Southwest of Norristown)
This beautiful garden has indoor and outdoor facilities, classes, workshops, daily visitor classes, school and youth programs, and even professional gardener training. It is a must see at Christmas time with all the lights.

Morris Arboretum - 100 E. Northwestern Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19118 - 215.247.5777
This 92 acre landscape includes paths, streams, and special garden areas. The arboretum has classes, workshops and conferences. They are open year round 10AM-4PM daily except in April to October they are open 10AM-5PM on the weekends. The cost is $10 for adults 19-64, $8 for seniors, $5 for children 3-18, all children under 3 are free.

The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College - 500 College Ave. Swarthmore, PA 19081 - 610.328.8025
Admission is free and they are open Mon- Fri 8:30Am-12PM and 1-4:30PM. Check out their website for the fun yearly activities they have.

Tyler Arboretum- 515 Painter Road, Media, PA 19063 - 610.566.9134
The have a butterfly house, hiking, kid friendly classes and workshops, and plenty of collections to look at. They are open all year, but their hours vary depending on time of year so check out their hours page. The cost is $5 for 16 and older, $3 for 3-15 and free for those under 3.

Back to the top

Caverns - MAP of caverns

Crystal Cave Park - 963 Crystal Cave Rd. Kutztown, PA 19530 - 610.683.6765 ( 1 hour 15 minutes North of Norristown)
They have educational underground tours. They also have a minigolf course. Their hours vary with time of year so check out their hours page. They are closed all together from Dec-Feb. The cost is $10.50 for adults, $6.50 for children 4-11, and children 3 and under are free. There is a discount for group rates.

Indian Echos Caverns - 368 Middletown Rd. Hummelstown, PA 17036 -  717.56.8131
Besides the beautiful cavern, you get to actually go mining for gold (only open during the summer). They are open 9AM-6PM from Memorial day to Labor day and 9AM-4PM the rest of the year. The cost is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors, $7 for children 3-11 children 2 and under are free.

Lost River Caverns - 726 Durham St. Hellertown, PA 18055 - 610. 838.8767
They have classes and demonstrations. They are open 9AM-5PM daily and 9AM-6PM for the summer.

Back to the top

Conservatories/Nature Centers - MAP of centers

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve - 1635 River Rd. New Hope  PA - 215.862.2924 (1 hour Northeast of Norristown)
They have trails, an arboretum, birding, indoor exhibits, library, and different educational programs. The grounds are open 8:30AM-sunset and the visitor center is open 9AM-5PM daily. The cost is $5 for adults, seniors $3, and children 4-14 $2, children 3 and under are free.

Briar Bush Nature Center - 1212 Edge Hill Rd. Abington, PA 19001 - 215.887.6603
They have a great children's series, great escape trips, outreach programs and different events. They have a museum, a bird observatory, trails and a pond. They are open 9AM-5PM Mon-Sat and 1-5PM Sun. The trails are open sun up to sun down.

Churchville Nature Center - 501 Churchville Lane Churchville, PA 18966 - 215.357.4005
They have children's clubs, the Lenape village, bird and wildlife walks and much more. They are open 10AM-5PM Tues-Sun.

Great Valley Nature Center - Rt. 29 and Hollow Road PO Box 82 Devault, PA 19432 - 610.935.9777
They have outdoor adventure programs for adults, school programs, and a Bird of Prey center. They are open 9AM-5PM Mon-Sat.

Green Valley Association -1368 Prizer Rd. Pottstown, PA 19465 - 610.469.4900
They have education programs for adults and children as well as a variety of events and lectures on how to live greener.

Honey Hollow Environmnetal Education Center - 2877 Creamery Road, Solebury, PA - 215.297.5880
They want to create awareness of the environment through nature walks, lecture series, and school and youth programs (they have an archaeological one). Trails are open 9AM-5PM Mon-Sat.

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum - 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19153 - 215.365.3118 
They provide environmental education, canoeing and fishing, and many other events. The grounds are open everyday from sun up to sundown free of charge, the Cusano Environmental Education Center is open 8:30AM-4PM free of charge.

John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove - 1201 Pawlings Rd. Audubon, PA 19403 - 610.666.5593
They are interested in connecting people with nature and identifying, monitoring, and conserving bird habitats. They are open Tues-Sat 10AM-4PM and Sun 1-4PM. They have different events throughout the year.

Lower Merion Conservatory - 1301 Rose Glen Road Gladwyne, PA 19035 - 610.645.9030
They are intereseted in conserving natural and historic resources of Lower Merion. They have great lecture and family fun series to partake in. They have an explorers club and preschool outdoor adventures.

Peace Valley Nature Center - 170 Chapman Road, Doylestown, PA 18901 - 215.345.7860
They have nature trails, family walks, summer camps, kids programs and crafts and much more.

Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy - 1 Skippack Pike Schwenksville, PA 19473 - 610.287.9383
They have hikes, educational programs for kids of all ages, workshops and more.

Riverbend Environmental Education Center - 1950 Spring Mill Road Gladwyne,PA 19035- 610.527.5234
They have year round exploration camps and educational programs, nature clubs and other events. They have 30 acres of trails, as well as a resident animal population in their nature center that is open to the public.  Every summer they offer camp for a wide range of ages.

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education - 8480 Hagys Mill Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 - 215.482.7300
They have hiking trails, exhibits, a pavillion, and numerous programs and events. Trails are open 8:30AM-4:30 PM and the main building is open 8:30AM-5PM. There is no admission, but they encourage patrons to become members.

Silver Lake Nature Center - 1306 Bath Road Bristol, PA 19007 - 215.785.1177
They have trails, programs for kids and adults, and during their expo they have a trackless train or trolley to ride, fishing demonstrations, and other fun and games. They are open Tues-Sat 10AM-5PM for the nature center and the grounds are open sun up to sun down.

Upper Schuylkill Valley Park and wildlife center - 1600 Black Rock Rd. Royersford, PA 19468 - 610.948.5170
The wildlife center is free and has Foxes, Deer, Raccoon, Wolves, Rabbits, Hawks, Owls, Turkeys, Pheasants and an assortment of farm animals.

Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association - 12 Morris Rd. Ambler, PA 19002- 215.646.8866
They have tours of the mill, festivals and education programs including weekend family events, birthday parties and more.

Back to the top

Parks

Central Perkiomen Valley Park - 1 Plant Rd. Schwenksville, PA - 610.287.6970
They have fishing, boating, hikinh, canoeing, a playground, trails, horseback riding in some areas, playing fields, and picnic pavillions.

Clayton Park -Delaware County, PA
This park offers a golf course, 6 playing fields, 11 picnic groves, and parking.

Evansburg State Park - 851 May Hall Rd. Collegeville, PA 19426 - 610.409.1150
They offer hiking, biking, picnicing, ballfields, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, hunting, golf, and the Freidt visitor center.

Fort Washington State Park - 500 Bethlehem Pike Fort Washington, PA - 215.591.5250
They offer picnicing, softball fields, camping, fishing, hiking, and historical sites.

Green Lane Park - 2144 Snyder RD Green Lane, PA 18054 - 215.234.4528
They have camping and equestrian camping.

Hillcrest Pond - Montgomery Ave. Springfield Township Montgomery County, PA
They have fishing and lots of different events.

Lorimer Park - 183 Moredon Road Huntingdon Valley, PA - 215.947.3477
They offer hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, and fishing.

Lower Perkiomen Valley Park -101 New Mill Rd. Oaks, PA - 610.666.537
They offer picnicing, fishing, hiking, jogging, rollerblading, summer concert series, and a playground for kids.

Norristown Farm Park - 2500 Upper Farm Rd Norristown, PA 19401 - 610.270.0215
They have hiking, fishing , jogging/running, roller blading, picnicing and more. It also connects to the Stanbridge Street park which has a playground for kids.

Ridley Creek State Park - 1023 Sycamore Mills Rd. Media, PA 19063 - 610 892-3900
They have a garden and trails, and great educational and fun activites and programs including campfires, hiking, collecting and observing and more.

Rose Tree Park - Upper Providence Township, PA
They offer picnic areas, a nature trail, a former steeplechase area, historic sites and a picturesque gazebo.

Smedley Park - Springfield, PA
They have picnic areas, baseball fields, the Lewis house environmental center, and a children's play area.

Upland Park - Sixth Street Upland, PA
It has a tot lot playground, wooded picnic groves, softball fields and areas for nature walks.

Upper Schuylkill Valley Park - 1600 Black Rock Road Royersford, PA 19468 - 610.948.5170
They offer picnicing and fishing, hiking, and a wildlife center.

Valley Forge National Historic Park - 1400 North Outer Line Drive King of Prussia,  PA 19406- 610.783.1077
They offer hiking, fishing, jogging/running, rollerbalding, picnicing, boating, nature walks, and you can see the historic buildings through a cell phone tour, and more.

Back to the top

Playgrounds | Outdoor Sports | Amusement Parks | Farms | Nature Activities | Zoos/Aquariums