Ridley Creek
Ridley Creek
State Park
A Pennsylvania Recreational Guide for
Pennsylvania State Parks Mission
The primary purpose of Pennsylvania state parks is to provide
opportunities for enjoying healthful outdoor recreation and serve
as outdoor classrooms for environmental education. In meeting
these purposes, the conservation of the natural, scenic, aesthetic
and historical values of parks should be given first consideration.
Stewardship responsibilities should be carried out in a way that protects
the natural outdoor experience for the enjoyment of current
and future generations.
visitPAparks
Printed on recycled paper 2015
WILDLIFE WATCHING
RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK
Ridley Creek State Park
Directions
Reservations
Ridley Creek State Park encompasses over
2,606 acres of Delaware County woodlands
and meadows. The gently rolling terrain of
the park, bisected by Ridley Creek, is only
16 miles from center city Philadelphia and is
an oasis of open space in an urban area.
The main entrance to Ridley Creek State
Park is on Sandy Flash Drive South at
Gradyville Road.
When using a GPS unit or online
mapping service, use the address of the
house across the street from the main park
entrance:
351 Gradyville Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Make online reservations at
www.visitPAparks.com or call toll-free
888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7:00 AM
to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, for state
park information and reservations.
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The park’s 2,600-acres provide important
habitat and open space in the urban sprawl
of southeastern Pennsylvania. Habitats
within the park include old growth and
new growth forests, fields and meadows,
wetlands, and the creek corridor. The state
mammal, the white-tailed deer, is common,
along with fox, raccoon, rabbit, and squirrel.
Great blue herons frequent Ridley Creek.
Many species of songbirds can be seen and
heard in the park.
The park is home to many large, old trees,
some dating back to colonial times. Oak,
beech, walnut, maple, sycamore, hickory,
and tulip poplar dominate the tree canopy.
Dogwood, spicebush, and witch hazel trees
make a colorful forest understory. Many
non-native trees and plants in the park were
planted for landscaping many years ago.
The most rare and unique tree in the
park is the large Franklin tree (Franklinia
alatamaha) by the Hunting Hill Mansion.
This short tree has large, shiny leaves that
turn orange and red in the fall. The large,
white flowers bloom in early autumn. In
1765, noted botanists John and William
Bartram discovered the species growing
in one spot in Georgia. A decade later,
William collected seeds and planted them in
Philadelphia. By 1803, the last Franklinia
was extinct in the wild. All Franklin trees
today are descendents of the first trees
propagated by the Bartrams, and named for
their friend Ben Franklin.
HISTORY
Within the park boundaries was a small
18th century village, which grew up around
the site of a mill. Now known as Sycamore
Mills, the area had been previously named
Bishop’s Mill and Providence Mill. The
miller’s house, the office, library, and several
small mill workers’ dwellings are currently
used as private residences. The park area
has been designated as the “Ridley Creek
State Park Historic District” on the National
Register of Historic Places.
Park property was purchased in the 1960s
with Project 70 funds, and developed with
Land and Water Conservation Fund moneys.
Park facilities were dedicated to public use
in August of 1972.
The park office is in the Hunting Hill
Mansion, built by the Jeffords family in
1915. The mansion was built around a 1789
Pennsylvania stone farmhouse that forms
the core of the building and serves as the
reception center.
Spend the Day
Park visitors enjoy a variety of recreational
opportunities year round. Public use areas
are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The
restrooms in picnic areas #7 and #17 are
open year round.
PICNICKING: There are hundreds of
picnic tables in 14 picnic areas. Each area
is equipped with modern restrooms and
charcoal grills. Several of the areas have
large fields suited to sports activities. Areas
#3, #8, #11, and #17 have playground
equipment and picnic pavilions. The
pavilions can be reserved up to 11 months
in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic
pavilions are free on a first-come, firstserved basis.
FORMAL GARDENS: The gardens by
the park office are a popular attraction and
wedding site.
HIKING: 13 miles of trails
The trails pass through a variety of habitats
in the central portion of the park.
Tell us about your hike at:
BIKING/JOGGING: The 5-mile, paved
Multi-Use Trail along Sycamore Mills
Road and Forge Road trails is designated
for bicycles, joggers, walkers, and crosscountry skiers. The trail is accessible via
parking lots #7, #11, #15, and #17. Bikes are
not permitted on unpaved hiking trails.
HORSEBACK RIDING: A 4.7-mile trail
begins in Picnic Area #8. A parking lot for
trailers is at the trailhead. Hidden Valley
Farms operates a stable within the park that
provides horse boarding, riding lessons,
pony rides, and an assortment of horse
related services. 610-892-7260.
www.hiddenvalleyhorsefarm.com
HUNTING AND FIREARMS: About
1,200 acres are open to archery hunting for
deer during established seasons.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as
groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is
only permitted from the day following Labor
Day through March 31 in designated hunting
areas. The Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania
Game Commission rules and regulations
apply. Contact the park office for ADA
accessible hunting information.
Use extreme caution with firearms at
all times. Other visitors use the park during
hunting seasons. Firearms and archery
equipment used for hunting may be uncased
and ready for use only in authorized hunting
areas during hunting seasons. In areas not
open to hunting or during non-hunting
seasons, firearms and archery equipment
shall be kept in the owner’s car, trailer, or
leased campsite. Exceptions include: law
enforcement officers and individuals with
a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry
Firearms are authorized to carry a firearm
concealed on their person while they are
within a state park.
FISHING: Ridley Creek is stocked
with trout and provides excellent angling
opportunities. The portion of the creek
from Sycamore Mills Dam to the mouth
of Dismal Run is a catch and release, fly
fishing only area. An ADA accessible fishing
platform is on the paved, Multi-Use Trail
along Sycamore Mills Road Trail. Vehicle
permits must be acquired at the park office.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
regulations and laws apply.
Enjoy the Winter
Stay the Night
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING:
Cross-country skiers may use the hiking and
Multi-Use Trail when snow cover permits.
ORGANIZED GROUP TENTING:
Qualified organized groups can use the
120-person area from April to October. A
restroom with flush toilets, but no showers,
is available. Call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS
(888-727-2757) for required reservations.
SLEDDING AND TOBOGGANING:
A large grassy slope by the park office is
popular for sledding.
WEDDINGS AND RECEPTIONS
The Hunting Hill Mansion provides an
elegant and unique venue for weddings and
other receptions. The architecture and décor
of the English Tudor style manor house
make for an unforgettable setting.
The facility can accommodate an event
of up to 150 people. The areas included in
the rental package are: Ballroom, ground

Access for People with Disabilities
This symbol indicates facilities
and activities that are Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible for
people with disabilities. This publication
text is available in alternative formats.
If you need an accommodation to
participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan
to visit.
In an Emergency
Call 911 and contact a park employee.
Directions to the nearest hospital are
posted on bulletin boards and at the park
office.
NEAREST HOSPITAL
Riddle Memorial Hospital
1068 West Baltimore Pike
Media, PA 19063
i
floor of the Grand Staircase, Bride’s Room,
South Patio, and one outdoor garden site. A
commercial kitchen is available for use by
approved caterers.
For more information, visit the park
website or call 610-892-3908 to speak with
the event coordinator.
Information and Reservations
For More Information Contact
Ridley Creek State Park
1023 Sycamore Mills Road
Media, PA 19063-4398
610-892-3900
email: [email protected]
GPS: Lat. 39.95065 Long. -75.45175
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Information and Reservations
Make online reservations at
www.visitPAparks.com or call toll-free
888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757),
7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday,
for state park information and reservations.
Pocket Ranger™ App by Parks by Nature
COLONIAL PENNSYLVANIA PLANTATION
The Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation
provides visitors with an accurate picture of
life on a Delaware County farm prior to the
American Revolution.
The plantation has been a working
farm for over 300 years. It is restored to
a late, 18th-century appearance complete
with animals typical of the period and
authentically clothed historical interpreters.
On weekends from April to November,
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
visitors can observe the farm family cooking
over the open hearth, preserving foods,
processing textiles, tending field crops,
and performing other chores necessary to
survival in the 18th century world.
A fee is charged and group tours are
available by reservation. The plantation is
closed to public visitation during the winter
months. 610-566-1725.
www.colonialplantation.org
Protect and Preserve our Parks
Please make your visit safe and enjoyable.
Obey all posted rules and regulations and
respect fellow visitors and the resources of
the park.
• Be prepared and bring the proper
equipment. Natural areas may possess
hazards. Your personal safety and that of
your family are your responsibility.
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
• 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.
• Do your part to keep wildlife wild! Enjoy
wildlife from a safe distance and do not
feed or approach wild animals.
• Please park only in designated areas and
obey all traffic regulations.
• Please recycle. Place trash accumulated
during your stay in proper receptacles or
take it home with you.
• Soliciting and posting signs are prohibited
without approval from the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources.
Nearby Attractions
Information on nearby attractions is
available from the Brandywine Conference
and Visitors Bureau.
www.brandywinecvb.org
Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC)
This nonprofit organization provides
information and educational programs on
a wide variety of environmental issues.
The PRC’s Environmental Living Center is
located within the park. 610-353-1555
CONTOURS ARE ON
50 FT. INTERVALS
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