Neshaminy State Park

Neshaminy State Park is along the Delaware River in lower Bucks County. The park takes its name from Neshaminy Creek, which joins the Delaware at this point. The park measures 339 acres. The picnic areas and swimming pools are the most popular park attractions. Boating access to the Delaware River is provided at the marina. Neshaminy is a featured park, September, in the 2010 Pennsylvania State Parks Calendar.

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Directions - Weather  - Recreation  - Theater  - Calendar of Events  - Accessibility  - History  - Delaware Estuary  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

At the intersection of State Road and Dunks Ferry Road, the park is easily reached from the PA 132 (Street Road) Exit of I-95.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Picnic Pavilions  - Swimming  - Boating  - Fishing  - Wildlife Watching 

Boating: unlimited hp motors permitted
Privately owned boats may be launched on the Delaware River at the two boat access areas. About 370 marina slips for boats are rented seasonally. Demand for these spaces is always high and waiting lists are maintained. Slips are available for people with disabilities. Contact the marina concessionaire for specific information concerning marina dock rental, transient slips, dry storage and related services. Neshaminy Marina
1300 2nd Avenue
Croydon, PA 19021
215-826-1662

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Swimming: The main pool and children’s spray pool are open from the Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Regular hours for weekends and holidays are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, unless otherwise posted. Lifeguards are on duty when the pools are open.

For their safety, all children ten years of age or younger must be accompanied by a person at least 14 years of age. Children without such supervision will be asked to leave the pool.

Swimming is not permitted in the Delaware River from Neshaminy State Park.

Hiking: 4 miles of trails

Logan Walk: This is the original drive to the former Robert Logan Home, which has been removed. The tree-lined walk is used by visitors for numerous recreational activities and serves as a park service road. The walk is paved and ADA accessible.

River Walk Trail: The River Walk Trail follows the shoreline and gives views of the river with its boating traffic, and also explores the tidal marsh. The River Trail Inner Loop explores the interior of the park and is a great way to discover animals and plants.

The River Walk Brochure compares the past to the present, and describes some of the river inhabitants like sturgeon, shad and eel. Puzzles help children explore the estuary, river and tidal marsh. This self-guiding brochure is available at the park office.

Picnic Pavilions: Neshaminy has two picnic pavilions that may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS to reserve a picnic pavilion. Make a reservation

Fishing: A variety of warm-water fish species can be found in this stretch of the Delaware River and Neshaminy Creek. Common species are largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskellunge, catfish and various panfish. The park is also popular in the spring for the annual run of striped bass, American shad and herring.

For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

The Playmasters Theatre Workshop: The playhouse, on State Road, offers entertainment throughout the year. Visit www.playmasters.org

Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

History

A crazy idea began at Neshaminy.

For repayment of a dept to his father, William Penn received a land grant in the American Colonies from the king of England. Instead of assuming that the king’s grant gave him property rights, William Penn had what many people considered a crazy idea, he would buy the land from its current inhabitants, the American Indians.

In 1682, William Penn made his first purchase from the Lenape chiefs. The land was bounded on the south by Neshaminy Creek. A year later, Penn’s second purchase was bounded on the north by Neshaminy Creek, making what is now Neshaminy State Park the core of the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The major portion of what is now Neshaminy State Park was a gift to the Commonwealth by Mr. Robert R. Logan. A descendant of James Logan, colonial secretary to founder William Penn, Mr. Logan’s estate “Sarobia” was given to the state upon his death in 1956. The property had been a wedding gift to Robert Logan and his wife, the former Sarah Wetherill of Philadelphia, by the bride’s parents. The Logan’s home has been removed, but many of their furnishings and belongings are now in the collections of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Dunks Ferry Road, forming the eastern boundary of the park, is one of the oldest roads in Pennsylvania. Beginning in 1679, Dunken Williams operated a ferry across the Delaware River. The road gave travelers access to his ferry, and today, over three hundred years later, “Dunks Ferry” Road perpetuates both his name and enterprise.

During the mid-1700s, a large inn was built to serve travelers. Operated by many owners over the years, the Dunk’s Ferry Inn had a colorful history. One of the most successful owners was John Vandergrift, who also had a profitable shad fishing business for thirty-nine years during the late 1800s.

The Delaware Estuary

Can you feel the ocean’s tides in Pennsylvania? You can at Neshaminy State Park. Waves won’t knock you down, but if you watch the river, you’ll see it rise or fall an inch a minute. Even though the river flows another 116 miles from here to the ocean, you’re at sea level. When the tide comes in at a New Jersey beach, the water rises here also. Because tides affect this part of the river, it’s called an estuary.

American Indians used the rise and fall of tides to trap fish. The Indians built low fences in the river. At high tide, the fish swam over the top of the fence. As the tide went out, the fish were trapped and easily speared.

The Neshaminy freshwater estuary is a unique place. Plants and animals from two worlds meet here, some from the ocean and some from upstream headwaters.

Tidal Marsh Natural Area: This 71-acre state park natural area encompasses part of the freshwater intertidal zone along the shores of the Delaware River and Neshaminy Creek. This area contains wetlands and unique plants. Explore natural areas for more information.

Eagles Forest

The forest is part of the Philadelphia Eagles football team “Go Green” program that focuses on offsetting the Eagles organization’s environmental impact and gets fans interested in conserving natural resources. The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off the Eagles Forest at Neshaminy State Park by planting hundreds of trees and shrubs. Together, the Eagles and the DCNR are laying the cornerstone for a healthy forest and healthy habitat. Visit www.philadelphiaeagles.com/gogreen/

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions, contact: Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau, 800-863-BUCKS, visitbuckscounty.com.

Tyler State Park has hiking, bicycling and exercise trails, nature trail, fishing, picnic facilities, environmental education, summer canoe rental and mobile food concession. 215-968-2021

Litter

“Every litter-bit hurts.” This park, your park, is used by thousands of people each year. If each person drops only one tiny thing, it adds up and piles up quickly. Please, we need your help to keep the park clean.

In an Emergency

Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.

Nearest Hospital:
Lower Bucks Hospital
501 Bath Road
Bristol, PA 19007
215-785-9200

For More Information Contact

Neshaminy State Park
3401 State Road
Bensalem, PA 19020-5930
215-639-4538
Manager: Josh Swartley

E-mail: neshaminysp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.