Benjamin Rush State Park in Pennsylvania, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-27. Check linked official notices before travel.

Benjamin Rush State Park gives northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a place for a gravel-path walk, a bike ride, or time watching wildlife. Its 3.5-mile multi-use trail network crosses fields and woodland. Community gardens and a separate model-aircraft area give this urban park a character beyond its trails.

Open space within Philadelphia

• Gravel paths: Walk or cycle through open fields and shaded woods, choosing a route that fits the time you have.
• Community gardens: The garden plots show how recreation and cultivation share this landscape.
• Model aircraft: A dedicated area serves radio-controlled model flying; it is distinct from the walking routes.

Before entering the park

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Shared trails and seasonal hunting

Expect other users on the multi-use paths. Riders must keep a safe speed and follow posted limits. Pennsylvania requires an approved helmet for bicyclists younger than 12. Check the park's hunting guidance for the applicable zones and hunt arrangements; other visitors continue to use the park during hunting seasons.

Take your waste home

The park has no trash collection or recycling facilities. Bring a bag and remove all waste, including recyclables, when you leave. Ride only on routes designated for bicycles. Garden plots are rented growing spaces; contact the garden association if you want to participate.

Facilities and hunting permits

DCNR lists no reservable facilities at Benjamin Rush. The archery deer program has separate requirements: hunters need a current Pennsylvania hunting license and a park hunt permit. Successful applicants must attend the safety meeting and stay within the zone on their permit. Sundays within the permitted period are for scouting and setup only.

Finding the actual entrance

The street address is 15001 Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19154. From U.S. Route 1, turn onto Southampton Road, then use the shared approach for the Delaware Valley Veterans Home and park. The park entrance is on the left. Download the DCNR map and guide before setting out; general map directions may stop at a nearby large road rather than the entrance.

Nearby parks by road

Neshaminy State Park is at 3401 State Road in Bensalem, beside the Delaware River. Tyler State Park, at 101 Swamp Road in Newtown, provides another Bucks County destination around Neshaminy Creek. Use each park's own road entrance when planning the next stop.

Choose a walk, ride, or garden visit

The gravel network suits a visit built around walking or cycling rather than a single landmark. Open fields and wooded stretches offer different places to pause and observe the surroundings. For cycling, consult the trail-use guidance, including the separate conditions for e-bikes.

Day-use spaces and planning support

Trails, parking, and comfort facilities were improved in the park's 2013 development project. The community garden and model-aircraft area support distinct uses, so choose the relevant part of the park for your plans. Contact the Neshaminy State Park office about current facilities or an accommodation before visiting.

A former hospital landscape preserved as open space

Land use and the park's name

Lenni-Lenape communities hunted, fished, and cultivated land along Poquessing Creek before later settlement. The state created the park in 1975 on land no longer needed by Philadelphia State Hospital. Its name honors Dr. Benjamin Rush, who was born in nearby Byberry Township.

Meadows, gardens, and mature trees

DCNR identifies the park as wildlife habitat within surrounding residential and industrial development. Its mixture of meadows, cultivated gardens, and mature woodland supports different kinds of wildlife and plants. Observe from the paths without treating any particular species as a guaranteed sighting.

Contact the managing park office

Call 215-639-4538 or email [email protected]. Use the official Benjamin Rush page for current park information.