Benjamin Rush State Park is a 301-acre passive-use park at 15001 Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia — the only state park within the city limits. It offers a multi-use trail network, a radio-controlled model airplane field, and one of the largest community gardens in the area. This guide covers hours, directions, what to do, and practical planning tips.
Last updated: June 2026. Key things many visitors miss: there are no on-site facilities of any kind (no toilets, no water, no bins), and the park operates a carry-in/carry-out trash policy. All enquiries go to the Neshaminy State Park office.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 15001 Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19154 |
| Opening hours | Daily, 8:00am to sunset |
| Entry price | Free |
| Phone | 215-639-4538 (Neshaminy State Park office) |
| Parking | Free, on site |
| Typical visit length | 1–2 hours |
Benjamin Rush State Park opening hours
Open every day, 8:00am to sunset, year-round. No staffed facilities are on site; contact the Neshaminy State Park office at 215-639-4538 for any queries.
Benjamin Rush State Park ticket prices
Entry is free. No parking charge, no reservable facilities. Opening hours and prices were checked on the official DCNR website and last updated in June 2026.
5 great things to do in Philadelphia
- 🥖 Taste the best of Philly on a food tour – including historic Reading Market.
- 🏛️ Get to know Philadelphia’s heritage sites – on a guided walking tour.
- 🍻 Go on a pub crawl – but learn the history between beers.
- 🎨 Let a guide show you Philadelphia’s best murals and street art – including Magic Gardens.
- 🌙 Discover Philly’s dark side – on an adults-only night tour.
How to get to Benjamin Rush State Park
By car: Take Pennsylvania Turnpike Exit 351, then US Route 1 south for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Southampton Road, then left onto the shared access road for the Delaware Valley Veterans Home and the park. GPS: Lat. 40.11284, Long. -74.98636.
By transit: The park is on Roosevelt Boulevard, served by multiple SEPTA bus routes. Use the SEPTA trip planner for current options.
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Parking at Benjamin Rush State Park
Free on-site parking, no time limit. Download the park map before visiting as cell service is unreliable inside the park.
How long to spend at Benjamin Rush State Park
Allow 1 to 2 hours. The full trail network is 3.09 miles; most visitors walk a portion and spend time at the garden or airplane field.
Accessibility at Benjamin Rush State Park
Trails are flat gravel surfaces, rated “Easiest” by the DCNR, and are generally passable for mobility aids in dry conditions. For specific accommodation requests, contact the park office before visiting.
What to do at Benjamin Rush State Park
Hiking and cycling
A 3.09-mile network of connected gravel loop trails winds through woodland, open meadow, and alongside the community garden. All trails permit hiking and cycling. The network is unblazed but fully connected — pick any route length. Trails link to the Fairmount Park system and nearby neighbourhoods. Dogs are welcome on leads but are not permitted in the garden or airplane field.
Radio-controlled airplane field
The park has a 400-foot RC model airplane runway and fly zone, one of the few such facilities in a Pennsylvania state park. For access details and rules, contact the Northeast Philadelphia Radio Control Club.
Community garden
One of the largest community gardens in the Philadelphia area occupies a section of the park. Plot rental information is available from the Benjamin Rush Garden Association. The garden area is not open to general visitors.
Wildlife watching
The park’s meadow, woodland edge, and garden habitat make it a productive birding spot, particularly during spring and autumn migration.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| No facilities on site | No toilets, water, café, or bins. Bring everything you need and carry all rubbish home. |
| Download the map first | Cell service is unreliable in the park. Download the official map from the DCNR website before you leave. |
| Contact Neshaminy for all queries | Benjamin Rush is administered by the Neshaminy State Park office: 215-639-4538, [email protected]. |
| Pets on leads only | Dogs permitted on trails; not allowed in the garden or airplane field. |
Frequently asked questions about Benjamin Rush State Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is it really in Philadelphia? | Yes — the only state park within the city limits, in the Northeast near Torresdale. |
| Is entry free? | Yes. No admission, no parking fee, no reservations. |
| Are there toilets? | No. No on-site facilities of any kind. |
| Is it open year-round? | Yes, daily 8:00am to sunset. |
| Can I fly a drone here? | Only within the designated RC airplane field. Contact the park office before flying elsewhere in the park. |
Things to do near Benjamin Rush State Park
- Pennypack Park (~1 mile south) — A large natural area along Pennypack Creek with walking, cycling, and equestrian trails through wooded creek valley.
- Pennypack on the Delaware (~2 miles east) — Waterfront trail with Delaware River views, connecting to the broader Circuit Trails network.
- Neshaminy State Park (~10 miles north) — The park that administers Benjamin Rush, with a pool, marina, picnic areas, and hiking. Free entry; pool charged separately.
- Poquessing Creek Trail (adjacent) — Local trail along Poquessing Creek linking to surrounding neighbourhood paths. Check with the City of Philadelphia for current status.
- Tyler State Park, Newtown (~20 miles north) — 1,711 acres with 26 miles of trails, particularly popular with cyclists.
What to visit tomorrow: similar parks within two hours
- Ridley Creek State Park, Media (~25 miles west) — 2,606 acres with 12 miles of multi-use trails through woodland and meadow.
- Valley Forge National Historical Park (~30 miles west) — 26 miles of trails, historic buildings, and open parkland at the 1777–78 Continental Army encampment.
- Wissahickon Valley Park (~10 miles southwest) — 50 miles of trails along the Wissahickon Creek gorge, one of the finest urban natural areas in the eastern US.
- Marsh Creek State Park, Downingtown (~40 miles west) — 1,784 acres with a 535-acre lake, boating, fishing, and 19.5 miles of trails.
- French Creek State Park, Elverson (~45 miles west) — The largest state park in southeastern Pennsylvania, with two lakes and over 50 miles of trails.
More Philadelphia travel
Other Philadelphia travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Nip over the border to the Battleship New Jersey or the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.
- 6 great reasons to visit Philadelphia.
- Practical guide to visiting the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia.
- What to expect at the Independence Seaport Museum.
- Practical guide to visiting the Penn Museum in Philadelphia.
