Hours & Fees
Ridley Creek State Park is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset, and day-use areas close at dusk. There is no entrance fee: Pennsylvania state parks charge no entrance or day-use fees. The only costs are optional reservations, such as a picnic pavilion, plus the separately run Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead's admission. In 2026, the whole park closes on December 3 and December 10 for controlled deer hunts.
Hours and Fees at a Glance
Park Hours
- Park and trails: sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year.
- Day-use areas: close at dusk.
- Restrooms: the restrooms in Picnic Areas 7 and 17 are open every day of the year.
- Park office: in Hunting Hill Mansion at 1023 Sycamore Mills Road, Media. DCNR says the office keeps set hours and notes it is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays; contact the office, 610-892-3900 or RidleyCreekSP@pa.gov, for other days and for facility seasons.
2026 Closure Days
On December 3 and December 10, 2026, the entire park and part of Gradyville Road are closed all day to everyone except permitted hunters, for the park's controlled shotgun deer hunts (Hunting). Check DCNR's Ridley Creek alerts page before any visit for other closures.
What Is Free
- Entry (no entrance or day-use fee).
- All trails, including the paved multi-use trail.
- Picnic tables, grills and unreserved pavilions (first come, first served).
- The Hunting Hill Mansion grounds and gardens.
- DCNR's public programs, offered April through November; the events listed on DCNR's calendar in October 2026 were free.
What Costs Money
- Reserved picnic pavilions: a fee, booked up to 11 months ahead (Picnic Areas). DCNR charges a non-refundable $6.50 transaction fee on every reservation and a $10 change fee.
- Organized group tenting: reserved, for qualified groups only (Camping).
- Weddings and events at the mansion: priced by Parque at Ridley Creek (Weddings).
- Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead: its own admission fee (Farmstead).
- Tyler Arboretum next door: its own entrance fee (Tyler Arboretum).
Reservations
Reserve online through Pennsylvania State Parks reservations or call 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
Hours & Fees FAQ
Is Ridley Creek State Park free?
Yes. Pennsylvania state parks have no entrance or day-use fees. You pay only for optional reservations like picnic pavilions.
What time does Ridley Creek State Park close?
At sunset. The park is open sunrise to sunset every day, and day-use areas close at dusk.
Is Ridley Creek State Park open on holidays?
Yes, it is open every day of the year. In 2026 the only full closures announced are December 3 and December 10 for controlled deer hunts.
What are the Ridley Creek park office hours?
DCNR notes the office is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. For other days, call 610-892-3900 or email RidleyCreekSP@pa.gov.