Make each day an adventure and take the time to enjoy the journey.
– Unknown
June 22, 2025
We made a goal in 2025 of visiting as many State Parks as we could. So when we had a free weekend in June, we decided to visit some parks located in southeastern Pennsylvania's Montgomery County.
Fort Washington State Park
The Fort Hill Historic Site was the western end of the Continental troop positions and was the site of the fort. Unfortunately, all traces of the original fort have been lost.
The Sandy Run Area is a limited use area lying just north of Fort Hill. It includes Clifton House, built in 1801. Formerly known as the Sandy Run Tavern, the building now houses a library and museum operated by the Fort Washington Historical Society and is periodically open to the public.
The Militia Hill Day Use Area is the largest section of the park. It's where the Pennsylvania Militia held positions during the Revolutionary War. The last section of the park is the Flourtown Day Use Area. Both of the day use areas offer recreational facilities including playing fields, disc golf, a playground and picnic facilities, as well as 4.2 miles of hiking trails. Additionally, there is a hawk watch observation deck in the Militia Hill section, where it's said all 16 species of raptors that migrate on the east coast can be seen. We didn't see any raptors during our visit, but we did enjoy watching a variety of birds gather at feeders in an area just below the observation deck.
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Norristown Farm Park
Norristown Farm Park is included in the state park system. However, it's leased and maintained by Montgomery County. The 690-acre park is a working farm that has been in continuous use since colonial times. The land on which the farm stands was originally owned by William Penn, and was later sold to Isaac Norris, after whom present day Norristown was named.
In 1876 the state of Pennsylvania received permission to buy land on which to build hospitals. As a result, Norristown hospital was built on land that includes much of the present day park. Patients at the hospital worked on the farm growing crops and raising animals as part of their treatment. The farm also served to train farm managers as a service alternative for conscientious objectors. Hospital policy changed in 1975 and the farm was turned over to the Department of Agriculture. In 1987 it was taken over by the Bureau of State Parks.
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There are 15 historic buildings on the property, with the earliest dating from 1764. In addition to the historic buildings, the park is home to hiking trails, a multi-use trail, a trout nursery, picnic areas, forest areas, wetlands and streams. Wildlife watchers can find fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Also found on the grounds are 89 species of trees and 216 species of wildflowers.
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We enjoyed a leisurely walk on some trails and spent some time looking at the huge Milking House where the park office is located.
Evansburg State Park
Evansburg State Park is in southcentral Montgomery County between Norristown and Collegeville. At 3,349 acres, the park provides a large area of green space in a mostly urban area. The park's main natural feature is Skippack Creek, which runs through the park.
Included in the park are open playing fields, picnic areas, trails, a golf course and a cricket field, as well as meadows, old fields and woodlands. Other recreational activities include fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, group tent camping and wildlife watching.
We found our way to the Freidt Visitor Center, a historic German Mennonite farmhouse built in the early 1700s. The building is open on a limited basis and was not open when we visited. However, we did take some time to explore outside where there's a root cellar, well, and herb garden.
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| Freidt Visitor Center |
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