Tyler State Park

The Neshaminy Creek after strong rain and spring thaw in Tyler State Park.

OVERVIEW:

Activities: Walking, hiking, biking, scootering, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking

Parking: There are several lots throughout the park. The one nearest the creek is the busiest.

Playground: There is a playground with its own picnic area, restrooms, and parking lot. By state park standards, it is newer and a nice size.

Stroller Friendly: There are paved trails and roads throughout the park. The road has vehicular traffic and the trails are also utilized by horseback riders and bikers/scooters.

Restrooms: Standard Restrooms with running water near the creek and the playground.

Entrance Fee: None. Pennsylvania State Parks are FREE!

Dining Options: This is the perfect spot for a picnic. There are many picnic tables near the playground (shaded) and a few more near the creek (some are shaded, some are under a pavilion).

Pro Tip: Bring rainboots or water shoes for playing near the creekside.

Did you know Pennsylvania State Parks are all FREE? Pennsylvania is one of only eight states to offer free state park entry to everyone, not just residents. We don’t live too far from Bucks County and have passed the signs for Tyler State Park for years, never having stopped. We were blessed with some beautiful weather this past weekend and finally made our way there to explore. Tyler State Park is located in Newtown, Pennsylvania, not far from beloved tourist destinations such as New Hope, Peddler’s Village, and Sesame Place. If you are traveling Route 295, Tyler State Park is close to the exit and could be a great road trip stop.

I’ll be honest, when we first entered, I thought I had made a mistake as we passed field after empty field with a few picnic tables thrown in for good measure. I was looking for a place to turn around when we found the heart of this beautiful park, the Neshaminy Creek. This was the first weekend day the northeast saw warm temperatures and sunshine in what felt like forever, so the park was packed. We did have to circle a few times to find parking in the lot closest to the creek. Based on the cones on the side of the road, it seems like the park can become quite crowded, especially on weekends. I recommend arriving early to secure a spot closest to the areas that you would like to explore.

There are restrooms with running water located between the parking lot and the river, as well as some covered picnic tables, and a fire pit. There was a boathouse, but the poster on the outside was dated 2022. I will check back in warmer months to see what is offered during the 2024 season.

The park has several paved roads/trails, some of which are closed to vehicular traffic, so it’s a great place to bring a stroller or have your kids practice on their scooter. We noticed a few bike riders, but based on how busy the park was, I would imagine riding was more difficult than enjoyable. My kids took their scooters down the path from the parking lot to the waterfront and were quickly engrossed in tossing rocks into the water. We have had a lot of rain recently and the creek was high, muddy, and running fast. There were a few spots where it was safe to explore along the waterline, but there was no swimming or wading (according to the signs) and it would not have been safe to do so with the water as high as it was. My understanding is when the water is lower it is a popular spot for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. There is a footbridge over the creek that was partially flooded, but still navigable if you were willing to get your feet a little wet. The bridge connects to a paved trail that is popular with walkers, joggers, hikers, and families enjoying a midday stroll. This park is hilly but not so much so that it would be difficult for people of any fitness level. We saw signs indicating that it is a popular spot for horseback riders as well.

Just across the river is a very steep hill that kids especially enjoyed climbing. I opted to sit out that part of the adventure but spoke with a man who trains there often for hiking trips out west. He seemed to navigate the steep climb with ease and said except for some slick spots due to mud it was a safe spot to explore. We let our kids climb to the top and they were able to return to us without needing any assistance. We walked for a bit, enjoying nature, and then headed back to the car, as we wanted to have time to explore the playground and we had a few more stops we wanted to make that day.

The playground at Tyler State Park in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

I should have paid closer attention to the park map because I would have realized we could have left our car at the waterfront lot and followed the trail to the playground. Instead, we moved our car to the playground lot, which had much more parking available than the waterfront lot. This area of the park had its own bathrooms and plenty of picnic tables, most of which were arranged under the shade of the trees along the playground area. We don’t have a lot of Pennsylvania State Park experience, but the playgrounds at New Jersey State Parks tend to be the same at each park and are fine but certainly not go-out-of-your-way-to-visit impressive. We found this playground to be relatively large, especially for a state park, with structures for both 2-5-year-olds and 5-12-year-olds, as well as some swings. There were plenty of kids there for my kids to play with, which made it an instant favorite in their books. It’s hard to be wow-ed by a playground in this area, as you have some unbelievable options like Kid’s Castle and Lion’s Pride Park close by, but we thought this was a great playground and found out later that day that it was far less crowded than the other two. We enjoyed our afternoon at Tyler State Park and look forward to returning soon!

I have a goal this year to visit more state parks and share our adventures with you! What park would you like to see featured next? Connect with us on our social media channels or comment below to let us know what you would like to see!