1. Ollie's Nature Playground - This is a place for all ages! You often see young toddlers to tweens in the tree covered woods enjoying nature together. There is a small creek to splash around during the hot days. Also, bathrooms are on site of the preserve. (ChesLen Preserves Website)
2. Binky Lee Preserves in Chester Springs - This has an easy loop that continues through the woods to a patch of land where there are horses for kids the visit. This is a great place for all ages, especially those that are runners.
3. Harmony Hill off of 322 in Downingtown - This location offers both paved options providing all accessible hiking and well-maintained trails in the 240 acres of land for both pedestrians and cyclist. There are two access points, one off Harmony Hill Road which offers a large lot and access to the paved 5 mile trail or off of Skelp Level road with instant access to the 6.5 miles of trails. This is a great option for older children who are looking to gain hiking experience.
4. St. Peters Village offers a family a whole day retreat so close to home. This Chester County gem offers a wonderful bakery, yummy options for lunch, French Creek, challenging boulders and trails that are tree covered and family friendly. Park at the old post office and make a day out of it!
5. Black Rock Sanctuary - This .8 mile loop is a great option for new walkers and toddlers that are experiencing hiking on their on two feet. This is a great trail offering a ADA-accessible interpretive trail for all families to enjoy nature and education at the same time!
6. French Creek State Park is a state park that has been preserved and offers families a great day of hiking while providing an oasis for a natural habitat. Your day can include boating, fishing, hiking, swimming and horse back riding! There are 35+ miles of trails that are well-maintained and mapped out. If you enjoy yourself so much stay over and camp out!
7. Hopewell Furnace is a historic spot you can visit while you are at French Creek State Park or just make it a day trip on its own. The land lies on the border of Berks and Chester County. A great option is to enroll your older children in the Junior Ranger Program.
8. Wolf's Hollow County Park - 530 acre park in Chester County is considered a rustic, natural park, with no public office and limited comfort facilities. "Birders appreciate the several hundred acres of mature woodland habitat that attract many less commonly observed birds such as Brown Thrashers, Scarlet Tanagers and Baltimore Orioles." (Source: http://www.chesco.org/1748/Wolfs-Hollow-County-Park) Hikers enjoy the 10+ miles of trails. This is a great option for the experienced family of hikers.
9. Hibernia Park - Looking for a weekend get away, however do not want to sit in beach traffic or fly or even drive out of the county? This is a great day or weekend option for camping, hiking, fishing and getting involved with educational programs occurring all summer long.
10. Okehocking Nature Center - This wonderful nature site can be found on the border of Delaware and Chester county. This is a great chance for more experienced children hikers to learn how to lead a 2.4 mile hike with 11 location markers. Many young children just make their way to the Ridley Creek and splash around.
Hike it Baby is a parents group dedicated to getting families together and out into nature with newborns, little ones up to school aged children. There are branches in over 250 cities around the country and internationally. We have a wide variety of hikes and urban strolls and the best part is being a member of Hike it Baby is FREE!
Join the Chester County Hike It Baby Facebook Group here: https://m.facebook.com/groups/hikeitbabychestercounty/
