We have one of the Pennsylvania Parks Passports so we try to visit new parks to explore and also get passport stamps. Today was Ridley Creek. It's a nice park with lots of trails to explore and we did the 4-point-something mile white trail loop. We enjoyed it though the trails are busier than the ones we're used to. It's close to Philadelphia, which makes it attractive for hiking, but also more crowded. Is this park worth the two-plus hour drive for us? Well, yes, to get a passport stamp and explore someplace different. Would we come back? Probably not because we saw nothing remarkable and the trails were busy. But any state park with decent trails is worth four stars so four it is! read more

See all

I came here for a hike yesterday on the Yellow Trail and it was beautiful! This time of year everything is green and the forest is full. The wildlife are out and about creating a great sound to complete the scene. The Yellow Trail is the longest in the park (about 7.5 out and back) and takes you through the woods and crosses the paved path a couple times. The trail has a few small hills in it that make the hike a little more interesting and fun. In some parts the trail is narrow and the trees are hanging over, but it is nothing unmanageable. The trails are marked throughout the park, but we did find that these markings could have been improved with more arrows when two trails intersected. The best method for making sure you stay on the right trail is to look at the color markings on the trees. However, the marked trees may be several yards down the path. Just keep walking until you see the marking and then turn around if you need to. I would definitely recommend checking out Ridley State Park for a hike, or even a picnic, as there were plenty of areas to do so. I would love to come back and see other areas of the park or even do the same hike again! read more

See all

Such a cool park! Always enjoy visiting here, especially in the Fall. Highly recommend checking out this park! read more

Ridley Creek State Park - Hiking Near Me - Media, Pennsylvania

See all

Great little park nestled in a quiet suburb of Philadelphia. There are multiple parking areas throughout the park, so it never feels crowded. Please beware of ticks- we noticed three on us while hiking and even brought one home despite wearing permethrin treated clothes and picaridin. If you park along Gradyville Rd and hike north, there's a trail that will take you up a hill where you can see the damage of a tornado touchdown from a few years ago. Pretty neat. read more

See all

Great place to hike with kids. Loved walking next to the creek and it was very peaceful. There's a paved road, so it's stroller friendly, but you do have to watch out for occasional cars and bikers. read more

Ridley Creek State Park - Creek - Hiking Near Me - Media, Pennsylvania

Once you find a parking spot you can enjoy this delightful park. Walking in the road along the stream （） read more

I've been wanting to visit here since I moved back east and why not on my birthday! Plenty of parking and decent trails. We couldn't see the mansion as there was a wedding that day. Beautiful grounds and a peaceful respite from the city. I'll be back to explore more. read more

See all

I've been coming here for years and it is awesome! There is a large variety of hiking trails, but my favorite is one that is further down along the river. It has a beautiful view and lookouts to see small waterfalls. The trails are marked clearly and it is a great place to bring kids! You could spend the whole day walking along the trails if the weather is nice. There are also benches for picnics. I never get tired of hiking here. read more

Ridley Creek State Park - Waterfall - Hiking Near Me - Media, Pennsylvania

There are a few different ways to access the trails at Ridley Creek State Park. I recommend going to the main entrance on Gradyville Road and Sandy Flash Drive. In my opinion this is the place to find the best parking. It'll take you to the mansion area, where the bathrooms are also located. The first time I came to RCSP I parked on Sycamore Mills Road (where there is very limited capacity) and found there was a paved path as well as a steep hiking trail (I think it's called White Trail). I got to explore a little bit, but then it started to rain. The second time I came to RCSP I went to the main entrance I mentioned above, and it was a better time. The path behind the mansion is very beautiful. There's lots of waterfalls/creeks, and it is not as steep or rocky as the Ridley Creek Trail by Sycamore Mills Road. I can't wait to return to RCSP to keep exploring all the trails, paths, and beautiful features! read more

We were in town traveling over a weekend so we decided to go on a hike in the area. We spent a couple of hours exploring this park. I don't remember the trails we did, but we parked by bathrooms and then I think we did the white trail, but that could be wrong. It was a nice little hike. We went along the river with a couple of good view points. At the end we walked down to a little waterfall before turning around to come back. It was a pretty easy walk, not very long and not many hills, but nice nonetheless. It's a good place to spend a few hours exploring. read more

See all

Amazing park that has plenty of hills and stunning scenery. The trails are abundant and range in incline. It also seems to be a good fly fishing spot from all the fishermen I see there. I'm still amazed that I only live 17 miles away and it's like I'm transported to another world when I get there. read more

See all

Lovely trails and beautiful walking scenic routes. A breathe of fresh air if you're in the area and wanting to go on a walk or hike. There are plenty of roads to run/walk if you want to avoid uneven terrain, though we usually like to take a walk through the woods to enjoy the views. read more

Ridley Creek State Park - Sunday hike - Hiking Near Me - Media, Pennsylvania

Great park with nice hiking and biking. Would highly recommend, don't need a long review, just come here if you've been on the fence!

Lucky to have this state park practically in our back yard. We frequent this park to hike, explore nature and relax. Recently we tried a new trail and had a wilderness scavenger hunt (perfect activity to incorporate into our hike). The trails are very clearly marked, especially when walking for hours. We never felt lost and thoroughly enjoyed the creek, the peace and quiet of being submersed in nature plus the critters we came across (chipmunk, deer, etc). Highly recommend for a day trip or relaxing hike. There's a paved portion too for bike riding or running/ walking. Some of the parking areas have huge pot holes and divots, so be careful when finding a trail or spot to park driving into Ridley Creek. read more

Ridley Creek State Park - Clearly marked trail @ Ridley Creek State Park - Hiking Near Me - Media, Pennsylvania

I had no idea this park existed until I was directed here. It's pretty easy to get to, and there's ample parking. The grounds are peaceful, and there's a horse farm practically connected to it. There's plenty of paved trails for bicyclists and walkers, and the grass is cut low enough in many places if you decide to go "off-road". Hungry? Bring a picnic lunch and take advantage of one of the many tables here and there. Those planning fancy events (banquets, weddings) should call to see if the mansion there - and gardens! - would be a fit. read more

See all

Great place! Needs more trail maintenance though. Mom cut her leg on fallen limbs left on the Blue Trail. Been there for 3 weeks. See photo read more

Ridley Creek State Park - Hiking Near Me - Media, Pennsylvania

See all

I love the Orange trail. Unfortunately I can't park in the small parking lot because my car bottoms out on the road surface. I wish they would fix this. read more

A true gem in Delaware County/Edgemont. There are horse stables, plenty of picnic areas, gorgeous trails and lots to see/do. The land was purchased by a horse breeder in the 50s/60s. Their mansion and surrounding area is the highlight of the park. Both paved and unpaved trails are waiting to be explored. I was there early Saturday, the parking lot was busy, but once on the trails, I was all by myself with the beauty surrounding me. I came across the remnants of a greenhouse which was real cool. A birdwatchers paradise. read more

See all

The best park i've been to in PA by a long shot. Large parking lot, 5 mile trail with tons of smaller dirt trails, and a fun creek! Some parts have been quick currents but only for a few feet. Great place to hang out! A word of advice- bring more water than you think you need. We ran out and were so thirsty! read more

I was quite surprised with the level of intensity this hike had. There are multiple terrain and altitude changes which lead you through open space, over small bodies of water, near Ridley Creek, and through the woods. You enter the park near the Horse Stables and park by the Park Office. There were many hikers and their pets enjoying the park while snow fell. I'm officially not the only crazy one who hikes as it snows. There are bathrooms along various trails but I would recommend using the ones near the Park Office if you decide to hike the White Trail; it's one of the longer trails. Many trails run into one another for a bit and then branch off into their own again. They even have trails that have multiple purposes. That means those trails are for Hiking, Biking, Driving and Running. Thankfully all trails are tagged to help ease your sense of being lost. read more

See all

The walking path is clear and there were well maintained benches in the area that we walked.

I have visited this park thousands of times since I was born. It is wonderful! (See my prior review for my trail details & recommendations.) HISTORY The 2606-acre park used to be owned by the Jeffords family. Jeffords was an investment banker/thoroughbred horse racer. His wife was niece of famed horse breeder, Samuel Riddle, whose influence is widely apparent throughout local Middletown Township ("Riddlewood" housing development, "Riddle Manor" off of "Glen Riddle Rd," + "Riddle Hospital"). The Jeffords' land was purchased in the late 60's with Project 70 funds, registered a national historic district, dedicated to public use in 1972 & in 1976 opened as Ridley Creek State Park (RCSP) we know today. Long before Jeffords, there was a 17th C. mill & farmstead settlement here, predominantly Quaker. The oldest home was the 1683 Worrel House. While some homes are still in use today, as park-owned rentals for residence, there are many ruins scattered throughout RCSP; most can be seen from the Multi-Use Trail (Sycamore Mills Rd). RCSP also incorporates a pre-Revolutionary farm (see Yelp listing for Colonial PA Plantation). MANSION The Jeffords' c.1918 mansion is a beautiful old Neo-Gothic / Tudor stone structure, which houses park offices, gathering rooms for rent at reasonable prices, & a banquet ballroom for weddings & special events up to 150ppl via in-house caterer (parque-peachtree.com). The nearby formal gardens are simple & tasteful with mature, unmanicured boxwoods, azaleas, & rhododenderons. There is a koi pond with fountain, surrounded by mature hemlock trees. This area is the main entrance, off of Sandy Flash Dr (a park road), accessed from Gradyville Rd. Many new visitors hesitate at the entrance b/c you see park gates but no mansion, just head on up, it's a good distance before you see the mansion. The mansion is probably the most popular spot for photographers to meet clients for outdoor photos--especially in the fall, for Christmas cards. MULTI-USE TRAIL The most popular trail is the fully-paved Multi-Use Trail. It is a more or less circular road (most is Sycamore Mills Rd), covering 4.3 miles total. It is accessible by a gravel path from the lower mansion parking lot, but most easily accessed directly from the Barren Rd lot, where the dam is. It is called multi-use b/c it is for walkers, strollers, dogs, bikes, rollerblades, etc. (Lots of stroller-jogging.) This trail is closed to vehicle traffic (except residents & rangers). For a first visit, I recommend this trail. WOODS TRAILS We have done all of the trails in the park, many times. They have varying levels of difficulty, & most have hiking up somewhat challenging hills/rocky slopes. Hiking boots are recommended, sneakers at least. While segments of certain trails are easier, if you take any trail from end to end, you will likely be challenged at some point. Please refer to the photos I've provided of park maps for trail locations. Frustratingly, trails are not marked with lengths. But this data is shown at alltrails.com. Trail reviews are at explorepatrails.com. CAMPING You can reserve a RCSP campsite at reserveamerica.com. There are 8 reservable camping sites in the park, only 2 are handicap-accessible, and all but 2 are dog friendly. Two are "rustic" sites without pavilions (covered picnic areas), each holds up to 50 people. The others all have pavilions, & each hold up to 80 people. I believe all have grills, & restrooms. Check-in / check-out is 3pm. DOGS Dogs are permitted, leashed, throughout the park, & are frequently found swimming in the creek. The only places they are not permitted are in the mansion/offices/bathrooms. The multi-use trail has many trash cans for dog poo disposal. There are free bags available at the Barren Rd entrance & mi~1.6. FRIENDS OF RIDLEY CREEK This is the volunteer organization supporting the park (friendsofrcsp.org). To be a Friend of Ridley Creek, you make a $20 donation, but to truly volunteer, you attend meetings & participate in trail maintenance, clean up days, & other projects. They also host the photo contest (due each June) & interface with salaried park officials. WILDLIFE The park hosts deer, rabbits, groundhogs, squirrels, buzzards, herons, songbirds, ducks, raccoons, possums, frogs, fish, snakes, foxes, various insects, etc. Many park residents allow their cats to roam outside. Please leave them alone. One hysterical visitor picked up a resident's cat & carried it 2mi to the park office, claiming it was abandoned. No, it LIVES here. In 2016, there was a black bear sighted multiple times in the park over a few months. It was captured in Oct 2016. FISHING / HUNTING Ridley Creek is stocked with trout. Fishing is catch & release only / fly fishing only for a large portion of the creek (Sycamore Mills Dam to the mouth of Dismal Run). There are hunting season events in restricted areas. Annually, there is one day in late fall when the entire park is closed to the public to allow a deer hunt. read more

See all

Excellent and free - and they have a horse farm in the center. Lovely.

How can you go wrong big park with a wide variety of walking/biking paths with the babbling brook at some places stocked with trout seasonally you won't find a parking spot opening day of trout fishing day. Bring a stick and a string opening day is usually a guaranteed limit if you know how to fish. read more

Superb park. Conveniently located, sprawling, suitable for history, hiking, admiring architecture, nature, cycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horse riding, pet walking, you name it. The original estate dating back to the late 1700s was expanded by the Jeffords family, the original owners of the 2,600 acre state, and it serves as a place for special events, weddings and banquets. The magnificent Tudor mansion also contains the proverbial gift shop. Around the stone mansion, additional stone patios are optimum for resting after a hike or during warm weather. Some of the most expansive terrains of old growth forest in Eastern Pennsylvania are present within the park. Perhaps one of its most understated claim to fame is the presence of the beautiful and monumental Franklin Tree dating back to the 1760s, which is now extinct in the wild and there are less than a thousand specimens on the planet. It is indeed a monument waiting to be discovered. The trail system at the park is large, with 13 miles of trails for walking and an additional 5 miles of bicycle trails. It is worth mentioning that bicycles are not allowed in the walking trails due to the sensitive natural ecosystems. Most of the park is pet friendly (leashed). People with small and tiny pets should be cautious due to the presence of predators such as foxes. An unusual part of the locale is the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation (not pet accessible) that depicts life in a Quaker plantation in the XVII Century. Although entrance to the overall park is free, this last Plantation charges a fee. One of the superb parks in the Commonwealth. If you're in the Philly area, it's worth a visit. read more

Good place to stretch the legs, and the scenery is nice. I would strongly encourage those with interest for a walk with a view to try Chanticleer or Longwood Gardens. Both of those are more scenic. Ridley is very dog friendly - which can be either a plus or negative depending upon your point of view. We come a lot because it's close to home. read more

See all

Huge gorgeous park! Great place for riding bikes (not that I do that!), walking, jogging, hiking, picnicking, and just in general, a great place to enjoy the outdoors. There's a paved path around the park that is about 5 miles or so, lots of hiking trails through the woods, plenty of places to have a picnic/BBQ. It's fun to explore the mansion, even if you can't get inside, and the horses are simply beautiful... Pretty sure they offer riding lessons but I've never ventured up there to find out. The easiest way to get to the path by the creek is the small entrance off of Barren Road... Sometimes hard to find a place to park though so be prepared to walk a little ways to the entrance. Definitely the best park in the area to go to,and it's easily accessible from the Glen Mills side (352) or from Newtown Square (Route 3). read more

I've been a nearly lifelong utilizer of Rte. 3 between 476 and West Chester, never taking the time to explore Ridley Creek State Park. That changed recently for me, and what a great decision on my part. I've managed to discover one of the best nature areas in the region. I've visited a couple of times now, spending extended periods of time walking along the long, multi-use paved trail and even more time darting along the twelve miles of unpaved trails through the woods. The pavement is great for bicycles, people-watching and folks who need an easier walk, while the trails are extensive enough to provide that much-needed furlough from humanity that I so craved. To find your way around, park near the mansion and grap a map from the bulletin board in the parking lot. Or just start walking, like I prefer to do, and you'll find your way back sooner or later... but not before a winding journey through the woods. I will be back many more times to continue my exploration. read more

See all

Perfect for running, bicycling, and walking. Their is a paved trail that loops around and is 4.3 miles long. Every tenth of a mile there are mile markers, so it is impossible to get lost in the main trail. The park also has trails in the woods that are coded by colors which are perfect for hiking. Spring time is beautiful. The smells of all the trees blossoming. Summer is gorgeous and a perfect place to exercise while tan at the same time. Autumn is when you can experience so many different colors of leaves changing. I'm not a fan of cold weather so, winter isn't my favorite time outside. During fishing season it is permitted to fish as long as you have a permit and abide by the regulations. There are pavillions where you can have a picnic. Public restrooms are usually open seasonally, so the pipes don't freeze. Great to experience wildlife, with friends, family, or by yourself. read more

Ridley Creek State Park - Remains of historical houses you can see while walking on the main path. - Hiking Near Me - Media, Pennsylvania

Nice park with lots of trail options. Quick drive from philly, a nice alternative to wissahickon. Trails were pretty muddy after snow this week, but were overall well marked. Very dog friendly park, lots of people out for a casual stroll on a Sunday. Not difficult terrain. read more

Ridley Creek State Park - Hiking Near Me - Media, Pennsylvania

I wish I could give this a 4.5! I have nothing bad to say about this park. This was my second time running in the park as I am training for the Broad Street Run. We found the grounds to be extremely clean and well kept (even the public restroom). The trails were well maintained and you can tell they had been tended to as we just received one final snowfall of the year. We ran the whole loop and successfully found our way back to where we started after 5 miles. The hills added an extra challenge. My only recommendation would be a better trail map. Otherwise, this is a well kept PA park gem! read more

Ridley Creek State Park - Spring is finally here! Near the mansion! - Hiking Near Me - Media, Pennsylvania

An amazing resource just a short drive away for most people in Delco and the surrounding areas, RCSP has something for just about everyone. Like to have a bbq in green surroundings? Check. Like to go hiking or trail running without feeling like the trails are too short? Yep. Like bicycling, roller blading, running, or walking without the risk and fumes of motor vehicles? Fishing, birdwatching, nature photography? This is the place. If you're sick of people railing against the "evils" of socialism, please come see a prime example of taxpayers' money being spent well. The rangers are even nice! read more

So nice best kept secret park in the area great for hiking walking picnics picture taking or wedding rentals

Nice bike trail but a bit if a cluster duck to navigate when you consider the convergence of bikes and pedestrians. Maybe the park could provide better direction on what side bikers and pedestrians should be on when enjoying the main loop. read more

This park has saved my sanity during the pandemic. There is so much to explore, filled with private nooks for enjoying the scenery and wildlife. It is amazing that this exists within 10 minutes of my home when the surrounding areas in Newtown Square are being overdeveloped. Everyone needs a respite and this place has so much to offer for all ages. The trees are vast and in full bloom. The creek is magnificent. It is huge so there are several trails you can follow. The mansion and its gardens are truly a treasure. I discover something new each time I visit. Above all, I am grateful that preserved places like this exist and provide people with an appreciation of the forever-disappearing forests and wilderness. read more

A place that never gets all. My favorite spot to explore with my family and furry companion read more

Ridley Creek State Park - Hiking Near Me - Media, Pennsylvania

See all

Great location to spend time exercising or just walking. Friendly and helps state park staff.

Okay, so to be fair, I'm probably always going to give Nature a 5-star review. But the best thing about Ridley Creek SP is the large amount of space. There's a decent trail network, most of the trails are developed just enough, but not overdone. There is a wide road-like-trail that's less exciting, but still fine. Beautiful area! Pretty creek flowing through the park. Highly recommend if you're in the area. read more

Beautiful park with only a couple drawbacks. The park itself is beautiful. The meandering ride through offers superb views and there are tons of trails too. The mansion itself was closed today but we decided to look around anyway. The garden would look amazing in the spring so we will have to come back for that. The down side we found was the paved trails weren't very smooth which made for a worrisome walk with the stroller and the area around the mansion doesn't lend to stroller use either. Lots of stairs which is fine if it's just my wife and I but the stroller really complicated it. All in all it's a pretty park with playgrounds sprinkled throughout for the kiddos and even horse back riding if you're into that sorta thing! read more

Someone recently called me a hippie for planting a tree on Arbor Day last year. Well hey, I'm ok with the coined term because I'm kind of on board with some of the teachings of Buddha and the writings of Thoreau. I also love trees, I love fresh air, I love bodies of water, horses, hiking, picnics, and I love when they're all at your fingertips...for free. I have spent many a Sunday morning training for the breast cancer 3-day walk here thanks to the lovely training leaders of the Philadelphia suburbs. Without them, I would never have known that this was here just a little over 15 miles from the city. With hiking trails, a horse farm, close to 20 picnic pavilions, a fish filled river, and a perfect 5 mile loop that offers a scenic tour of just a small fraction of the park, there really is something for everyone. I love that there is very little traffic on these pathways with the exception of the once-in-awhile park ranger making their rounds; it makes for a much safer environment than the river drives in the city and a much happier place to be as the other park goers tend to be friendly folk that don't get all up in arms over their lack of space on the trails. If you are in the city and have access to a car, make it a point to get here before the cold weather rolls in. If you're out in the suburbs and haven't been here yet, you don't know what you're missing right in your own backyard. read more