State Parks Near Chester, Pennsylvania
51 state park units lie within 50 miles of Chester, including 35 parks across the line in Delaware and New Jersey and Maryland. The closest is Fox Point State Park, about 6 mi southwest of town. 20 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Fox Point State Park6 mi southwest
- Within 25 miles
- 20of 51 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 148 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 3pets allowed
State parks near Chester, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Chester; driving distance is usually longer.
Fox Point State Park
In New Castle County, about 2 miles northeast of Bellefonte, Fox Point State Park covers about 107 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fox Point State Park →Bellevue State Park
Covering about 272 acres, Bellevue State Park lies in New Castle County, in Bellefonte.
Hours, fees and rules for Bellevue State Park →Ridley Creek State Park
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, hunting in season, and biking. The official site lists about 13 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Ridley Creek State Park →Brandywine Creek State Park
Covering about 934 acres, Brandywine Creek State Park lies in New Castle County, about 4 miles north of Elsmere.
Hours, fees and rules for Brandywine Creek State Park →Wilmington State Parks
Wilmington State Parks is a park in New Castle County, in Wilmington.
Hours, fees and rules for Wilmington State Parks →Alapocas Run State Park
In New Castle County, about 3 miles northeast of Elsmere, Alapocas Run State Park covers about 233 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Alapocas Run State Park →Tall Pines State Preserve
The park supports horseback riding, biking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Tall Pines State Preserve →Walt Whitman House Historic Site
The park supports historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Walt Whitman House Historic Site →Auburn Valley State Park
Auburn Valley State Park is a park in New Castle County, about 4 miles southeast of Kennett Square.
Hours, fees and rules for Auburn Valley State Park →Indian King Tavern Historic Site
The park supports historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Indian King Tavern Historic Site →Fort Mott State Park
Things to do include historic sites, picnicking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Mott State Park →Fort Delaware State Park
In New Castle County, in Delaware City, Fort Delaware State Park covers about 256 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Delaware State Park →Norristown Farm Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, winter sports, fishing, biking, and picnicking. Water access includes a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Norristown Farm Park →Fort Washington State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, golf, winter sports, disc golf, and biking. The official site lists about 3.5 miles of trails. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Washington State Park →White Clay Creek State Park
Covering about 3,520 acres, White Clay Creek State Park lies in New Castle County, about 4 miles north of Newark.
Hours, fees and rules for White Clay Creek State Park →Fort DuPont State Park
In New Castle County, in Delaware City, Fort DuPont State Park covers about 294 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort DuPont State Park →White Clay Creek Preserve
The park supports cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, hunting in season, and fishing.
Hours, fees and rules for White Clay Creek Preserve →Hancock House Historic Site
The park supports historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Hancock House Historic Site →Marsh Creek State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and winter sports. The official site lists about 19.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Marsh Creek State Park →Evansburg State Park
Things to do include cross-country skiing, mountain biking, golf, horseback riding, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 6 miles, according to the park. On the water side, there is a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Evansburg State Park →Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area
Covering about 815 acres, Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area lies in Cecil County, about 4 miles northwest of Newark.
Hours, fees and rules for Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area →Big Elk Creek State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, fishing, and hiking. The official site lists about 3 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Big Elk Creek State Park →Parvin State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, hunting in season, boating, fishing, and biking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Parvin State Park →Lums Pond State Park
Covering about 1,863 acres, Lums Pond State Park lies in New Castle County, about 6 miles southeast of Elkton.
Hours, fees and rules for Lums Pond State Park →Stow Creek State Park
Things to do include hunting in season and boating. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Stow Creek State Park →Benjamin Rush State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, biking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Benjamin Rush State Park →Neshaminy State Park
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking. The official site lists about 45 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming pool and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Neshaminy State Park →Rancocas State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, historic sites, hunting in season, boating, and fishing. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Rancocas State Park →Lawrence House Historic Site
Visitors come for historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Lawrence House Historic Site →French Creek State Park
Things to do include cross-country skiing, mountain biking, golf, horseback riding, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 35 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for French Creek State Park →Tyler State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, golf, horseback riding, disc golf, and winter sports. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Tyler State Park →Atsion Recreation Area
Things to do include historic sites, boating, and picnicking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Atsion Recreation Area →Carranza Memorial Historic Site
Carranza Memorial Historic Site is a 2-acre historic site in Burlington County, about 11 miles northeast of Hammonton.
Hours, fees and rules for Carranza Memorial Historic Site →Washington Crossing Historic Park
Things to do include cross-country skiing, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and biking. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Washington Crossing Historic Park →Elk Neck State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Elk Neck State Park →Wharton State Forest
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, hunting in season, boating, and biking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Overnight options include 9 camping areas, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Wharton State Forest →Trenton Battle Monument Historic Site
Trenton Battle Monument Historic Site is a historic site in Mercer County, in Trenton.
Hours, fees and rules for Trenton Battle Monument Historic Site →Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, boating, biking, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park →Washington Crossing State Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, hunting in season, wildlife watching, and biking. Overnight options include 4 camping areas, with tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Washington Crossing State Park →Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, hunting in season, boating, and fishing. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Brendan T. Byrne State Forest →Marshall House Historic Site
Popular activities here are historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Marshall House Historic Site →Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center
Things to do include cross-country skiing, winter sports, fishing, picnicking, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 10 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center →Bulls Island Recreation Area
Things to do include boating and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Bulls Island Recreation Area →Ralph Stover State Park
Popular activities here are rock climbing, boating, fishing, picnicking, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Ralph Stover State Park →Nockamixon State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, golf, and horseback riding. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming pool, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Nockamixon State Park →Susquehanna State Park
Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Susquehanna State Park →Penn State Forest
Things to do include historic sites, hunting in season, boating, and picnicking. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Penn State Forest →First State Heritage Park
First State Heritage Park is a historic site in Kent County, in Dover.
Hours, fees and rules for First State Heritage Park →Susquehannock State Park
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 5.6 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites and group camping).
Hours, fees and rules for Susquehannock State Park →Princeton Battlefield State Park
The park supports historic sites and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Princeton Battlefield State Park →Belleplain State Forest
Visitors come for horseback riding, hunting in season, boating, wildlife watching, and biking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Belleplain State Forest →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Chester
- Ridley Creek State Park 8 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Fort Washington State Park 21 mi north · Campground listed
- Evansburg State Park 25 mi north · Campground listed
- Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area 26 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Parvin State Park 26 mi southeast · Campground listed
+ 9 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Chester
- Parvin State Park 26 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- French Creek State Park 33 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Atsion Recreation Area 35 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Elk Neck State Park 41 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Wharton State Forest 41 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
+ 3 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Chester
- Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area 26 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- French Creek State Park 33 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Elk Neck State Park 41 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Chester
- Marsh Creek State Park 24 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Parvin State Park 26 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Neshaminy State Park 29 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- French Creek State Park 33 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Atsion Recreation Area 35 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 4 more in the list above
Hiking near Chester
- Ridley Creek State Park 8 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Tall Pines State Preserve 13 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- Fort Mott State Park 19 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Fort Washington State Park 21 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- White Clay Creek Preserve 22 mi west · Hiking trails listed
+ 19 more in the list above
Fishing near Chester
- Ridley Creek State Park 8 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Norristown Farm Park 21 mi north · Fishing listed
- Fort Washington State Park 21 mi north · Fishing listed
- White Clay Creek Preserve 22 mi west · Fishing listed
- Marsh Creek State Park 24 mi northwest · Fishing listed
+ 12 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Chester
What is the closest state park to Chester?
Fox Point State Park is the closest, about 6 miles southwest of Chester in a straight line. Next are Bellevue State Park and Ridley Creek State Park.
How many state parks are near Chester?
51 state park units are within 50 miles, and 20 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Chester have camping?
14 parks list camping, the nearest being Ridley Creek State Park, Fort Washington State Park and Evansburg State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Chester?
Yes, at 3 parks, including Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, French Creek State Park and Elk Neck State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Chester?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Yeadon, PA9 mi northeast
- Near Wilmington, DE11 mi southwest
- Near West Chester, PA15 mi northwest
- Near Philadelphia, PA17 mi northeast
- Near Glassboro, NJ17 mi southeast
- Near Norristown, PA19 mi north
- Near Lindenwold, NJ20 mi east
- Near Newark, DE24 mi southwest
Or see all Pennsylvania state parks, Delaware state parks, New Jersey state parks, Maryland state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.