Montgomery County, PA

Montgomery County’s long-standing history of trail development began in the late 1970s with the construction of the first phase of the Schuylkill River Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail from Valley Forge National Historical Park to Center City, Philadelphia.  Today, the County remains committed to and is aggressively involved in trail planning and development.

In 1996, the Board of County Commissioners adopted an open space plan, Creating an Open Space Legacy, which includes a separate trail chapter that sets policies for regional trail development.  A network of regionally important trails totaling approximately 160 miles is proposed in the plan.

More than half of the proposed trails are active projects in various stages of planning, design, acquisition or development.  The Planning Commission and the Department of Parks are the County offices assigned the tasks of coordinating and implementing the trail proposals.

Montgomery County understands that there may be times when individuals or organizations wish to use the trails for formal activities and events, including walks, and rides for charity.

Any individual or organization that wishes to use the Trails must first contact the Park Superintendent where the event will take place to register the event or activity.  (You can find the appropriate phone numbers on this web site under "Contact Us" button)  Organizers that wish to use a County Park/Trail will be asked to complete an Application for Special Use for approval by the Park Superintendent and the Parks and Heritage Services Director.  All events must be registered.  Please register your event on or before 90 days of your event date to assure that there are no conflicts and give the Parks and Heritage Services Department sufficient time to process your event registration.  There may be a small fee associated with the registration.

Event organizers are also reminded that the trail should be left in as good or better condition after the event, including the removal of all trash and signs.

No events will be scheduled that will preclude regular visitation to the trail or that will require the closure of the trail to the general public.  No races (walking, running, biking, or equestrian) will be permitted.

Organizations looking to use a County Trail for fund-raising purposes, must be a registered non-profit organization, or be able to provide information that all proceeds will be donated to a non-profit organization or agency.

"EVENT REGISTRY: 
Any group or organization wishing to list their event on the County Web page, must contact the County Director of Parks and Heritage Services at 610-278-3555.  Please allow a minimum of 30 days advance notice to the County, so the event can be mounted on the County’s web page.  The notice will be removed immediately following the date of the event.”

* * * 4 Year Development Plan * * *

Trail Plan Map

Click on the links of the following trails to find out more information about each project.