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One of Philadelphia’s assets is its easy access to the great outdoors. The city is home to Fairmount Park<\/a>, the\u00a0world’s largest landscaped urban park system, and\u00a0the beloved Wissahickon Valley Park<\/a>, a city park set in a lush, forested gorge<\/a>. But some of the region’s loveliest green spaces are right outside the city limits, like\u00a0Ridley Creek State Park<\/a>, a gem for hiking and fishing located in nearby Delaware\u00a0County, just 16\u00a0miles from City Hall.\u00a0<\/p>\n The 2,600-acre park is named for the creek that flows through it. First settled by\u00a0English Quakers, Ridley Creek was the site of a bustling mill complex that harnessed the power of the waterway in the early 18th century. A small village\u00a0and farmstead grew up around it, and some old stone houses still stand today, serving as private residences. All of it\u00a0is now considered the Ridley Creek State Park Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places<\/a>. Today, you can visit the still-working farm<\/a> (admission\u00a0is $12 for adults, $8 for children) on weekends from April through November.<\/p>\n There’s no cost to\u00a0walk past the quaint remainders of the village (respecting, of course, the privacy of current tenants), as they’re located right on the park’s public trails. Ridley Creek State Park is a paradise for hikers, runners, and cyclists, with 12 miles of quiet trails\u00a0that weave through woods and meadows and along the rushing, trout-stocked creek. A great introduction to the park is the 4.5-mile\u00a0Ridley Creek Park Yellow Trail<\/a>, an easy paved loop that offers views of the water and a selection of historic homes. Appropriate for strollers, wheelchairs, families with children, or those with leashed dogs, it takes two hours (or less) to complete. “Beautiful paved woodland trail,” wrote one jogger on AllTrails<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Hike and fish in Ridley Creek State Park<\/p>\n For a more challenging hike, try the moderately difficult\u00a0Ridley Creek Full White Trail Loop<\/a>. The 4.2-mile trail delves deep into the woods, offering gorgeous forest views. Past visitors say it’s especially beautiful when colorful foliage enlivens the tree-lined path in autumn, and others point out it’s magical under a dusting of snow. “Gorgeous sunny December day following the first snowfall of the year,” commented<\/a> one recent hiker. “About 6 inches of packed snow on the trails. Beautiful scenery.” The trail also offers excellent\u00a0bird-watching opportunities, passing through a year-round natural habitat for woodpeckers, cardinals, owls, chickadees, mockingbirds, and more. Looking to check more birds off your Life List? Take a road trip to\u00a0Succop Nature Park, Pennsylvania’s quiet haven for birdwatching and weddings<\/a>.<\/p>\n If it’s fishing you’re more interested in, Ridley Creek is just the spot.\u00a0The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission<\/a> stocks the creek with rainbow and brown trout, and it’s a particularly popular fishing destination in spring through early fall,\u00a0when the park’s forest offers cool shade along the creek’s shoreline. “Amazing fly fishing,” said one local on Google<\/a>.\u00a0One section of the creek, from\u00a0Sycamore Mills Dam to Dismal Run, is only for catch-and-release fly fishing. No matter what kind of fishing you’re planning to do, you’ll need a state fishing license or permit to cast a line, and you can apply for one online<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ridley Creek State Park’s trails and fishing spots, as well as public restrooms and picnic areas, are open daily from sunrise to sunset. It’s about a 40-minute drive to Center City, or 25 minutes\u00a0to Philadelphia International Airport. While exploring the beautiful region around the city, don’t miss a visit to Longwood Gardens, America’s largest botanical garden<\/a> \u2014 it’s just half an hour away by car.<\/p>\n
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