In Montgomery, the landscape often unfolds along the water: The Perkiomen Trail follows Perkiomen Creek for 20 miles, from Oaks to the Borough of Green Lane, and connects with the Schuylkill River Trail. At the same time, locks, historic farms and the former home of John James Audubon tell different chapters of the region’s story. Those who see trails not only as a way to get moving but also as a way to access the landscape and history will find several rewarding points of interest here.
Explore River Routes and Trails
The Perkiomen Trail can be paired with two parks that each offer a different scale. The 107-acre Lower Perkiomen Valley Park offers views of Perkiomen Creek and serves as a starting point for the trail. Central Perkiomen Valley Park covers 800 acres along the same waterway and provides access to more than 19 miles of the Perkiomen Trail. A smaller park with creek views and an expansive area with direct access to a longer stretch of trail sit side by side.
Other trails have their own character. The existing Wissahickon Trail runs along Wissahickon Creek from Stenton Avenue to a point near the Borough of Lansdale. By contrast, the Schuylkill East Trail is defined primarily by its surface: It consists mostly of natural materials and connects Lock 60 with Upper Schuylkill Valley Park along the Schuylkill River. When comparing these routes, you can use their described landscape settings and endpoints as a guide.
The Cross County Trail offers another perspective on trails and navigation: A section currently completed is three miles long and runs from Conshohocken to Germantown Pike in Plymouth Township. The trail also provides access to several public transit services in Conshohocken and Plymouth Meeting. These two details offer different points of reference—one describes the section, the other access to public transit services in the named locations.
Green Lane Park combines plenty of space with a clearly defined range of trails. This county-operated open space covers 3,400 acres and has more than 20 miles of multi-use trails for walking, running and cycling. Audubon Pennsylvania recognized it as a Pennsylvania Important Bird Area in 1996. Outdoor experiences and recreation are complemented by its longstanding recognition as an important bird area.
Norristown Farm Park also offers different types of trails: more than eight miles of paved routes, as well as additional rustic nature trails. The landscape includes a stream stocked with trout. Historic buildings dating from the mid-18th to the early 20th century were once part of mills, a tannery, farms and Norristown State Hospital. At the 230-acre Lorimer Park, with its forests and meadows, you can hike, picnic, watch birds and other wildlife, or ride your own horse year-round. In winter, sledding and cross-country skiing are also options.
Locks, Farms and Historic Houses
At Lock 60 at the Schuylkill Canal Park, canal history comes to life at a working structure: The lock was built in the 1820s. The park also has a public boat launch and a five-mile water loop. Here, a technical reminder of canal operations meets present-day ways to enjoy the water.
Peter Wentz Farmstead combines a working 18th-century farm with a historic house. Peter and Rosanna Wentz first settled the restored site in 1744; the house was built in 1758 and is considered a remarkably unique example of Pennsylvania German colonial architecture. A self-guided audio tour is available on a smartphone and takes 30 to 45 minutes—a practical guide for anyone planning how much time to allow for a visit.
Pottsgrove Manor offers a different architectural highlight: The house was built for the Potts family in 1752 and showcases the elegance of early Georgian architecture. The estate’s history includes John and Ruth Potts and their 13 children, as well as the paid, indentured and enslaved people who lived and worked there. Special programs, workshops and exhibitions explore 18th-century history.
The John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove is a National Historic Landmark. Mill Grove was built in 1762 and was the first American home of artist and naturalist John James Audubon. More than seven miles of trails and striking views of Perkiomen Creek define the site’s connection to the landscape. Docent-led tours of the Historic House are offered Wednesdays through Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Pennypacker Mills welcomes visitors year-round for tours, exhibitions, nature walks, workshops and special events. Its well-documented collection reflects the interests of Samuel W. Pennypacker (1843–1916), his term as governor of Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1907, the construction of the State Capitol, and Pennsylvania history, family history and Pennsylvania German culture. Specific Revolutionary-era events are also connected to the estate: George Washington and his army camped at Pennypacker Mills and the surrounding grounds from September 26 to 29 and October 5 to 8, 1777.
Another historic landscape is preserved at Valley Forge National Historical Park: From 1777 to 1778, it was the winter encampment of the Continental Army, led by General George Washington, during the American Revolutionary War. The park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, forests, historic landscapes and monuments. A 90-minute trolley tour departs from the visitor center, offering a timed introduction to this expansive historic site.
Discover more destinations: Fort Washington, Horsham, King Of Prussia, Lansdale, Plymouth Meeting, Willow Grove, Royersford, Pottstown, West Conshohocken, Collegeville, North Wales, Conshohocken, Norristown, Montgomeryville, Eagleville, Bala Cynwyd, Gilbertsville, Hatfield, East Greenville, Oaks, Blue Bell.
For the regional travel overview: Pennsylvania.
