Trail Definitions
Difficulty Ratings
Easiest -- For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles.
More Difficult -- For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface.
Most Difficult -- For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe.
Trail Route Type
Loop -- Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.
Out-and-back -- Start and end at a trailhead and follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route.
Point-to-point -- Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle.
Connector -- Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead.
Betz Hill Trail
1.9 miles | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: potable water, benches
A paved trail begins along Twinning Ford Road / College Park Trail and passes along open farmed fields, warm season grasses, and woodlands. Sections of the trail offer views of the Neshaminy Creek. The trail and ends an intersection with a hilltop view of agricultural fields and forests. This trail connects with No 1. Lane Trail, Covered Bridge Trail, and Mill Dairy Trail along the way.
Buckman Trail
0.7 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: none
This ADA accessible, paved trail begins at Fisherman's lot and ends at the boarder of Tyler State Park and the Newtown Middle School. The path is mostly flat and open, offering views of warm season grasses and agricultural fields. This trail connects to the southern end of Tyler Drive Trail, near the Mill Dam Parking Lot.
College Park Trail
0.5 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: none
This paved trail connects Betz Hill Trail to No. 1 Lane Trail on the western side of the park.
Cooper Trail
3.0 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
This unpaved trail is designated for equine riders and hikers. This trail begins and ends near the Center for the Arts parking lot and loops through mature forests and along agriculture fields. Several connector trails offer a route to other unpaved trails or different loops.
Covered Bridge Trail
1.1 miles | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: potable water, picnic tables, benches
The Schofield Ford Covered Bridge crosses the Neshaminy Creek on the northern end of this trail, somewhat close to the parking lot. Parts of this trail are gravel or dirt near the Neshaminy Creek and Covered Bridge parking lot but are paved in other areas. Part of this trail includes a steep climb to a lovely hilltop view of agricultural fields and forests. This trail connects to White Pine Trail and to the Betz Hill Trail.
Green Lane Trail
0.3 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: none
This mostly shady and flat trail connects the Lower Plantation Area to the boarder of the park and a local middle school.
Hay Barn Grass Trail
4.5 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
The trail starts and finishes at the Covered Bridge Parking Lot. It takes you through rolling agricultural fields, native warm-season grass fields, past the original farmhouses and barns, and along some sections of the Neshaminy Creek.
Mill Dairy Trail
1.2 miles | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: benches
Mill Dairy Trail connects Betz Hill Trail to Stable Mill Trail. The trail offers views of the Neshaminy Creek, the Meadow Restoration Project, and mature forested areas. The middle of this trail offers easy access to/from the Boathouse Picnic Area and the Nature Trail.
Nature Trail
2.0 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables, benches
This hiking-only trail begins across the Neshaminy Creek from the Boathouse Area, traversing along Porter Run Creek and offers excellent views of geologic features such as rock outcrops and large boulders. Combined with other trails, trail may be taken as a loop or lead out to connection points to No. 1 Lane Trail or Red Oak Trail. It also has connection points to the (unpaved) Cooper Trail and Neshaminy Creek Equine/hiking trails.
Neshaminy Creek Trail
2.6 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
The trail follows the creek, beginning at the Fisherman’s Parking Lot and offers excellent views of the creek and geologic features before ending at the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge. This trail passes by both The Neshaminy Weir Dam (Boathouse Area) and the Spring Mill Garden Dam (lower dam). Many connector trails lead to other unpaved equestrian/hiking trails.
No. 1 Lane Trail
1.2 miles | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: picnic table, benches
This paved trail starts at the No. 1 Lane Parking Lot, is ADA accessible for 0.8 miles, and ends at Betz Hill Trail. It passes along open farmed fields, warm season grasses, and woodlands.
Quarry Trail
0.3 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables
This paved, ADA accessible trail is a short connector between the Lower Plantation Picnic Area and Tyler Drive Trail. It is relatively flat and shady.
Red Oak Trail
0.6 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: benches
The paved Red Oak Trail connects the middle of Stable Mill Trail to the middle of Mill Dairy Trail, there is also an access point to the Nature Trail. This trail runs through mature forested areas and along agricultural fields.
White Pine Trail
0.5 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none
White Pine Trail connects part of Betz Hill Trail to an intersection with Covered Bridge Trail and the tail end of Betz Hill Trail. The intersection is at a scenic hilltop overlook of agriculture fields and forests.
Woodfield Trail
0.5 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: none
The paved, ADA accessible trail connects to two points along the southern end of Mill Dairy Trail. This pathway winds through old growth forests above the Neshaminy Creek and around a meadow habitat restoration area.