Tyler State Park: Tempting Trails and Tales

Itching to enjoy the great outdoors year-round in eastern Pennsylvania? Tyler State Park, in Bucks County, has over 1,700 acres of multi-use trails, expansive fields, and picnic areas. So whether you’re on foot, bike or horse, there is plenty of acreage to explore. In addition, anglers enjoy fishing for trout in Neshaminy Creek which meanders through Tyler State Park.

A bonus is that this is a year-round destination. The busyness of summer eventually wanes, but people still return. Autumn unveils colorful foliage, and winter snowfalls attract cold-weather folks who enjoy sledding and cross-country skiing at the park. 

In addition to the trails, there are subtle tales from days long ago at Tyler. As mentioned later in this post, the park began as a farm and several of the trails are named after their previous uses like Dairy Hill Trail and Covered Bridge Trail. Yes, there’s a covered bridge in the park, and it’s worth a visit.

Something for Everyone

What drew me to the park was the fact that there’s a covered bridge standing over the creek, and I wanted to see that. What I was happy to learn was how nice this whole park is and how much it has to offer. You’ll see families in the picnic groves with some grilling their meals, people fishing in the creek, dogs frolicking in the water, and people chit-chatting with each other while walking or biking along the trails. 

Nearby Attractions

Located 33 miles from Philadelphia, Tyler State Park is just a short drive (less than 15 minutes) from Washington Crossing Historic Park. That’s another great destination; it has historic buildings dating back to when George Washington’s Continental Army encamped there in 1776 (just before his famous crossing of the Delaware River), Bowman’s Tower with incredible views from the top lookout, and trails to hike or bike.

There are also more covered bridges to explore! Read this guide to Bucks County covered bridges to plan your journey driving back through history.

Accessibility

Some trails and picnic areas (Boat House Picnic Area and Upper Plantation Picnic Area) are ADA compliant. Check the map (later in this post) to easily find places that are accessible to all.

Admission

There is no admission to enjoy the park. However, there are fees for renting pavilions or paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes.

What You’ll Find at Tyler State Park

• 3 different habitats: fields, forests, and wetlands (by the creek)
• 25 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding
• Neshaminy Creek for fishing 
• a covered bridge that spans Neshaminy Creek
• paddleboat, kayak, and canoe rentals from Memorial Day through Labor Day
• a public dock
• a 36-hole disc golf course in the Upper Plantation Picnic Area
• sledding and tobogganing in the Upper Plantation Picnic Area when snow cover permits it
• cross-country skiing when snow cover permits it
• 8 large picnic groves with picnic tables and charcoal grills

Tyler State Park Map 

Tips for Your Visit

• Arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds. Fewer people make everything more enjoyable.
• To access the main entrance, enter this address in your navigation app: 101 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA.
• If you’re looking for the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge, you can hike from inside the park or you can more quickly access it by entering the park along Swamp Road just south of Twining Bridge Road. (Notice this entrance near the top of the map that appears in this post.) Park in the lot, walk down the embankment, turn left and head for the trail to the bridge.
• Probably the most crowded area is the Boat House Area; it’s close to the pedestrian causeway and dam. If you park in another area or enter near the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge, you’ll have the trails more to yourself.
• Trails are open from dawn to dusk.
• Bring sunscreen (in the summer) and bug spray. It can get quite buggy at times. And remember that ticks may be present, as well. 
• Wear comfortable hiking/walking shoes to enjoy the trails. 
• Bring your own food and drink. Don’t forget to bring water! 
• There are picnic tables and charcoal grills in the picnic groves.
• If needing a restroom, there are 7 available throughout the central part of the park. 
• Do NOT feed or otherwise disturb the wildlife. 
• Leashed dogs are allowed.

History of Tyler State Park

The Lenni Lenape people first inhabited this land. Later, colonists began to settle in the area after buying land from William Penn, the founder of what is now Pennsylvania. In the early days, people farmed the land and ran mills powered by Neshaminy Creek (which runs through the park). George and Stella Tyler purchased the land in the early 20th century. They owned horses and raised a variety of farm animals. At the time, George Tyler hosted riding and fox-hunting events.

Years later, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the land and then opened the park in 1974. It’s been entertaining locals and visitors ever since.

Nearby Attractions

For other things to do in the area, consider Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania, Washington Crossing State Park in New Jersey (on the other side of the Delaware River), and a driving tour of Bucks County covered bridges.

There are so many wonderful places to explore in Pennsylvania:

• Big Pocono State Park, Poconos
• Bushkill Falls, Poconos
• Colonial PA Plantation, outside Philadelphia
• Covered Bridges of Bucks County
• Covered Bridges of the Lehigh Valley
• Gettysburg Visitor Guide
• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Lehigh Valley
• Hickory Run State Park, Poconos
• Housenick Park, Lehigh Valley
• Jacobsburg State Park, Poconos area
• John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, outside Philadelphia
• Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia
• National Museum of Industrial History, Lehigh Valley
• Philadelphia: Fairmount Park’s Unique Colonial Mansions & Their Stories
• Philadelphia Self-Guided Walking Tour
• Best Things to Do in Philadelphia
• Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania Guide
• Promised Land State Park, Poconos
• Ricketts Glen State Park, Poconos
• Ridley Creek State Park, outside Philadelphia
• Valley Forge National Historical Park, outside Philadelphia
• Washington Crossing Historic Park, outside Philadelphia

Final Thoughts

Tyler State Park is a lovely place to enjoy time outside. One thing that makes this a good find is that there are so many options for activities: hiking, biking, horseback riding, birding, fishing, boating, disc golf, picnicking, sledding, and cross-country skiing.

My favorite trails were those that were accessible from a northern entrance (from Swamp Road near Twining Bridge Road — near the top of the map listed in this post). A bonus was the covered bridge spanning Neshaminy Creek. You can walk through it, examine its construction, and peer out to watch for activity outside. My husband and I passed other people on the trails near the covered bridge, but there were so many fewer people here than in the other areas in the center of the park (i.e., Boat House Area, Boardwalk Area). If you’re in this area of Bucks County, this is a fine place to enjoy some downtime.

Comments?

Please share your experiences and/or suggestions for other great places to visit in the area. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂