Looking for fun outdoor activities just a short drive away? Bucks County is home to dozens of parks and recreation areas, befitting its status as one of the most scenic places in America. For hikers, three of the largest parks in Bucks – Nockamixon, Ralph Stover and Tyler – are ideal places for a family outing or a quiet stroll through the rustic countryside.
The biggest of the three, 5,286-acre Nockamixon State Park, offers a number of hiking trails that explore forests, fields and the edge of the lake. The Quarry Trail winds through the remnants of a summer camp, providing a spectacular view of the lake and an overlook of the old quarry that provided building material for area structures. The Old Mill Trail crosses the stream at the old mill pond and passes across the top of the stone dam breast. Hikers pass through a mature woodlot, pine plantations and hike a loop that follows the lake shore.
At 45-acre Ralph Stover State Park near Point Pleasant, hikers will find easy walking trails that pass through many habitats and near the millrace. And the nearby High Rocks section of the park offers a breathtaking overlook of Tohickon Creek.
Finally there’s 1,711-acre Tyler State Park between Newtown and Richboro, where you’ll find four miles of gravel hiking trails with excellent views of the park and surrounding countryside. You can take a short walk or a long hike covering many miles. Several parking lots near the outer perimeter of the park allow access to remote areas and trails.
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