Scenic Recreational Trails in Fairmount Park

When it comes to Fairmount Park, some people may have such a question: what it is exactly. For local folks, it may be their neighborhood park. For some, it may be the Schuylkill River bordered by Kelly and Martin Luther King Drives. Yet others may regard it as a big park in Philadelphia.

Actually, Fairmount Park is the municipal park system of Philadelphia, comprised of 63 regional and neighborhood parks on over 9,200 acres of land. As over 10% of the land is within the City and County of Philadelphia, Fairmount Park is also regarded as one of the largest urban parks in the United States.

Within this vast park system, you will find delight surprises that there are so many famous attractions inside the park, including a Japanese tea house and garden, athletic fields, eight world-class museums, five historic city squares, the nation's first zoo and much more.

Also, don't miss over 215 miles of scenic, recreation trails within the park. You will find the trail is perfect for everyone, in the form of sidewalks, off-road trails, paths through the woods and walkways along a creek or river. All trails are open from dawn to dusk, 7 days a week. Riding a bicycle or horse in the park between 10pm to 6am is not allowed.

Are there any regulations for using Fairmount Park trails? Yes. All users of park trails need to observe the trail rules and regulations. To have a hassle-free and more enjoyable trail experience, have a look at following trail rules and regulations.

1) Anyone using parking trails should ensure the safety of all others in the park with common courtesy. Visitors can explore the trails by foot, bicycle, horse, carriage, horse-drawn vehicle or any other permitted vehicles. Please note that snowmobiles, motorcycles, motorbikes, motor-powered dirt bikes and motor-powered ATVs (all terrain vehicles) are forbidden on all park trails at any time.

However, for those over the age of 16 who use bicycles, horses, carriages, horse-drawn vehicles and other non-motorized, wheeled vehicles on the trails, a Trail User Permit is required. There is a fee of $20 for permit registration, if you are not a resident of the City of Philadelphia. For Philadelphia residents, permit registration is free of charge. You are recommended to apply Trail User Permit online.

However, in order to maintain and improve the park trails, a minimum donation of $20 may be requested. Users who don't own a valid trail permit or fail to observe the trail rules and regulations may be subject to a penal sum of $25.

Please note that anyone using Forbidden Drive, Pennypack bike trail or designated access roads don't have to comply with this requirement. Also, horseback riding and bicycling along Forbidden Drive and paved trails doesn't need a permit. If you have more questions, call 215-683-0220.

Online Trail Permit Registration

http://www.fairmountpark.org/trailpermits.asp

2) For visitors who take horse-drawn vehicles, you need to ride these vehicles on the trails that are wide enough to accommodate them safely. You also have to be single-file on all park trails including Upper Wissahickon (Forbidden Drive).

Map of Forbidden Drive

http://www.phillyrunners.org/forbidden.html

Actually, all trail users, except pedestrians, have to travel in single-file on the park trails (sometimes excluding Upper Wissahickon Drive). If trail conditions and traffic permit, Forbidden Drive allows for a maximum of two vehicles abreast, with the exception of horse-drawn vehicles.

3) If you plan to ride a bicycle on the park trails, note that there are no bicycles permitted in the Andorra Natural Area, except on Bell's Mill Trail, the driveway to the Tree House and the bypass, which connects upper North Western Avenue with Forbidden Drive. Bicyclists are suggested to leave their bikes at the Tree House while on the trails.

However, even if you are cycling on the park areas where bicycles are allowed, you are restricted to riding at sidewalks, footwalks and designated trails. Placing a bike on grass areas within the park is not permitted. For bikers, the right roads need to be made way for other trail users.

4) If you explore the trails with your pets, they must be on a short leash which is not more than 6 feet at all times. In addition, nobody is allowed to bathe or swim, only when a lifeguard is present or at authorized pools.

For visitors who are inconvenient to bring a bike to the park, you also have opportunities to experience biking on the park trails. Cooperating with Philadelphia Breakaway Fitness, Fairmount Park offers bicycle and roller blade rentals. Rentals are available at Lloyd Hall, located at #1 Boathouse Row, Kelly Drive. For more information, call 215-568-6002 or visit this page:

Bicycle and Rollerblade Rental at Fairmount Park

http://www.fairmountpark.org/bike_rental.asp