Located 33 miles from Center City Philadelphia, Tyler State Park consists of 1,711 acres in Bucks County. Park roads, trails, and facilities are carefully nestled within the original farm and woodland setting. Neshaminy Creek meanders through the park, dividing the land into several interesting sections.
Hiking at Tyler State Park
25 miles
Park trails lead visitors through areas rich in historic and scenic interest. The trails provide excellent views of the park and surrounding countryside and can be used for short walks or long hikes covering many miles. Several parking lots near the outer perimeter of the park allow access to remote areas and trails.
A large portion of the park is interconnected by paved hiking trails. Bicycle usage is permitted only on designated paved trails. Many trails permit multiple users, so please remember to share the trail.
Gravel hiking trails east of Neshaminy Creek connect the picnic areas. Access to trails on the western side of the park is available via the causeway across Neshaminy Creek. Here you will find most of the park’s bicycle and equestrian trails. Mountain bikes are prohibited on non-paved trails.
If you ever find yourself lost or disoriented, locate a paved trail and follow the signs to the boathouse.
Biking and equestrian trails may also be used for hiking. Please yield to horses on trails.
Hiking Only
Nature Trail
1 mile, white blazes, more difficult hiking
This hiking-only trail traverses Porter Run Creek and offers excellent views of geological features such as rock outcrops and large boulders. Discover large mature oak trees, old growth tulip poplar, and native mountain laurel. The trail starts and finishes at the western side of the causeway near the boathouse.
Picnicking at Tyler State Park
All picnic areas have picnic tables, restrooms, and drinking water; and are surrounded by mowed, grassy areas for sunbathing and relaxing.
Please remember:
Picnic areas are open from sunrise to sunset, on a first-come, first-served basis
Park only in designated areas
Because uncontrolled pets may chase wildlife or frighten visitors, pets must be physically controlled and attended at all times and on a leash, caged, or crated -- electronic fences and leashes are prohibited
Please clean-up dog waste
Boardwalk Picnic Area: first-come, first-served
This area has easy access to a variety of hiking trails that connect the picnic areas and is especially popular with families with young children.
Children’s playground
Adjacent to soccer field
Abundant parking
Boat House Picnic Area: first-come, first-served
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
This centrally located area is the best place to access the west side of the park and all of its biking and equestrian trails.
Picnic pavilion and two shelters
Play field
Adjacent to boat rental (open summer season)
Hooded fire ring warming area
Maze Picnic Area: Maze Picnic Area: first-come, first-served
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
This area has easy access to a variety of hiking trails that connect the picnic areas.
Large play field
Mill Dam Picnic Area: first-come, first-served
This area is adjacent to a beautiful, shaded trail which overlooks Neshaminy Creek.
Grass fields
Upper Plantation Picnic Area: reservable
Starting point for disc golf
Pavilion
Shaded picnic area
Wildlife Watching at Tyler State Park
Three main habitats dominate Tyler State Park: forests, fields, and wetlands. The mixed hardwood forests are composed of oak, elm, maple, beech, ash, and walnut. They are great habitat for forest birds like:
Warblers
Tanagers
Thrushes
Vireos
Native dogwood, spicebush, witch hazel, and viburnum make for a colorful understory.
Besides the many mowed and agricultural fields, the park manages fields planted with native, warm-season grasses. These grasses provide habitat for many animals, including field birds like:
Red-wing blackbirds
Bobolinks
Grasshopper
Sparrows
Meadowlarks
The native gardens, wildflower meadow, and landscaping by the park office are maintained by volunteers and are a popular location for photographers and native plant interpretation.
The richest and most diverse habitats of the park are the wetlands that boarder Neshaminy Creek. These areas have unique plants, such as skunk cabbage, ferns, and waterwort, which can survive in the perpetually moist soil.
Neshaminy Creek also is home to:
Large snapping turtles
Eels
Frogs
Water snakes
Muskrats
While the stream north of the Spring Garden Mill Dam is a popular spot for turtles and wood ducks.
Boating at Tyler State Park
electric motors only
Neshaminy Creek offers calm, easy boating upstream from the boat rental.
Fishing at Tyler State Park
Neshaminy Creek is stocked with trout and provides excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers may fish along the banks of Neshaminy Creek or from a canoe or kayak.
Common species are:
Sunfish
Black crappie
Carp
Smallmouth bass
Panfish
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.
Biking at Tyler State Park
10.5 miles
A large portion of the park is interconnected by paved hiking trails. Bicycle usage is permitted only on designated paved trails. Many trails permit multiple users, so please remember to share the trail. If you’re riding a bicycle, slow down and use caution on hills and around curves.
Trails are named at each intersection. Most of the bicycle trails are more than eight feet wide, paved, and designed for easy, two-way travel. Paved trails are multiple-use trails. Be a courteous and safe bicycle rider.
If you’re riding a bicycle, remember nearly all of the trails on the west side of the creek are hilly. Slow down and use caution on hills and around curves. Bicycle use is permitted only on designated, paved surfaces.
Picnic tables are along the bicycle trails for rest stops.
Horseback Riding at Tyler State Park
10.5 miles of bridle trails
Riders enjoy many miles of non-paved trails on both sides of Neshaminy Creek. Please stay on established, blazed trails. Horseback riding is prohibited in the picnic areas.
Parking for horse trailers is available:
Near Number One Lane Trail in the large parking lot across from the arts center
In the Fisherman’s lot on PA 332 across from Spring Garden Mill
At the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge parking lot off of Swamp Road
Hitching posts and a mounting platform are provided at the covered bridge access area.
Cooper Trail
3 miles, blue blazes, easiest hiking
Access this trail from the equine parking lot near the Tyler Park Center for the arts. This trail takes you through stands of mature oak and tulip poplar trees.
Hay Barn Grass Trail
4 miles, green blazes, more difficult hiking
The trail starts and finishes at the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge access area. It takes you through rolling agricultural fields, native warm-season grass fields, and past the original farmhouse and barns.
Neshaminy Creek Trail
2.5 miles, red blazes, more difficult hiking
The trail follows along the creek, beginning at the Fisherman’s Lot, and offers excellent views before ending at the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge.
Disc Golfing at Tyler State Park
One of the top-ranked courses in the country, this 36-hole course begins at the Upper Plantation Picnic Area.
Much like regular golf, but using a “Frisbee” or disc, the object is to complete each hole in as few strokes as possible.
Course maps with rules and scorecards are available at the park office and at the Upper Plantation Picnic Area parking lot.
Sledding at Tyler State Park
Slopes below the Upper Plantation Picnic Area parking lot and west of the covered bridge are great for sledding and tobogganing when conditions permit.
Cross-country Skiing at Tyler State Park
Cross-country skiers may use the edge of fields and non-paved hiking trails when snow cover permits.
Ice Skating at Tyler State Park
Neshaminy Creek sometimes freezes and ice-skating is permitted near the boathouse warming area.
Ice thickness is not monitored.
