Fort Washington State Park
493 acres named for the temporary fort Washington's troops built in the fall of 1777 before heading to Valley Forge, open sunrise to sunset every day of the year. Birders climb the observation deck for the seasonal raptor migration; everyone else comes for the trails, picnic areas, disc golf, and spring dogwood bloom.
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Coming up here
Militia Hill Hawk Watch
Volunteers count migrating raptors from the deck at Militia Hill all through October, and anyone can climb up and watch. Free parking, an accessible lower deck, bring binoculars.
Birding Event: Fall Migration at Militia Hill
Three hours on the hawk watch platform with birder Sharon Meeker, timed for when all sixteen East Coast raptor species are moving. Binoculars to borrow, registration through Morris Arboretum.
More like this
Peace Valley Park
1,500 county acres a few minutes north of the borough, with seasonal rentals of rowboats, canoes, pedal boats, and kayaks. A nature center, fishing, playgrounds, and five picnic pavilions fill out the park.
Marsh Creek State Park
1,784 acres wrapped around the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake, just north of the borough with a Downingtown address. Sailing and fishing on the water, a seasonal pool, and the horse stable and most trails on the west side at 800 North Reeds Road.
Lock 60 at the Schuylkill Canal Park
A fully restored, working 1820s lock on the old Schuylkill Canal, just across the river in Mont Clare, with the original locktender's house still standing. Between guided tours run with the Schuylkill Canal Association, the park earns its keep with fishing, a boat launch, birding trails, and a five-mile water loop trail.
