(photo credit: NPS)

Coyote tracks

Valley Forge National Historical Park encompasses an area of great historical significance, as well as protecting a substantial area essential for the preservation and protection of native biodiversity. The 3,500-acre park is one of the few, large, contiguous, protected areas in southeastern Pennsylvania that has a variety of habitat types including a river, numerous streams and forested wetlands, eastern deciduous forest, and tall-grass meadows. The park is surrounded by residential, commercial and industrial developments of Montgomery and Chester Counties on all sides, thus it is an oasis for native wildlife.
The Schuylkill (pronounced: sklkl) River bisects the park into areas north and south of it. Most visitors to the park are familiar with the area south of the river because Washington’s Headquarters, the Grand Parade, the Welcome Center, and the paved Joseph Plumb Martin Trail are located there. North of the river, visitors explore the park by entering at the Pawlings or Betzwood trailheads for the River and the Schuylkill River Trails.

Enjoy the natural resources of Valley Forge National Historical Park by walking, biking, hiking, driving or even boating on the Schuylkill River in areas where these activities are permitted, remembering that certain activities are prohibited in specific areas because they can harm the environment and archeological sites. Make sure to pick up a park map at the Welcome Center or download a copy here. You are encouraged to take photographs and memories, while leaving no trace of your visit.

Link to Valley Creek Restoration Grant Program (www.savevalleycreek.org)

The white-tailed deer management plan can be viewed here.