Tyler Arboretum, Next Door

Tyler Arboretum is not part of Ridley Creek State Park. It is a separate nonprofit public garden of 650 acres that shares most of the state park's southern boundary, with its own visitor center, its own entrance and an admission fee. Ridley Creek State Park is run by Pennsylvania DCNR and is free. You can visit both in one day: the arboretum for its plant collections and old trees, the state park for picnics, the paved creek trail and longer hikes.

How the Two Differ

• Who runs it: Ridley Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park run by DCNR's Bureau of State Parks. Tyler Arboretum is a nonprofit public garden.
• Cost: the state park has no entrance or day-use fee. The arboretum charges an entrance fee at its visitor center.
• What is there: the arboretum is a public garden with renowned plant collections, heritage and champion trees, historic buildings and its own hiking trails, according to DCNR's guide. The state park has 14 picnic areas, 13 miles of hiking trails, a paved multi-use trail, a bridle trail and the Hunting Hill Mansion.
• Rules and hours: each sets its own. The state park is open sunrise to sunset every day.

Visiting Both

DCNR's map shows the arboretum's visitor center on its own side of the boundary, off Painter Road, and DCNR does not describe a shared trail connection. Treat them as two stops: drive between entrances, and check tylerarboretum.org or call 610-566-9134 for the arboretum's hours and prices.

If You Came for Trees

The state park has notable trees of its own. Some of its large, old trees date back to colonial times, and a rare Franklin tree grows beside the Hunting Hill Mansion (Wildlife & Trees). The 1-mile paved Mansion Gardens Trail circles the mansion's formal gardens, free (Hunting Hill Mansion).

Other Neighbors

• The Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead, a separate organization inside the park.
• The Pennsylvania Resources Council's Environmental Living Center, which DCNR says is located within the park.