Urban Oasis Hike - John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
(8.5 Miles | 100 Feet of Elevation)
We try to visit John Heinz NWR two or three times from May to September on our weekly, weeknight hikes. However, you can't see the entire refuge in just two to two and half hours. So let's check out this amazing urban oasis on the weekend and see the whole thing!
I've lived in Philadelphia for 41 of my 43 years and I would bet that 50% or more of the people that live in the city and metropolitan area do not know about this "hidden" gem. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis in the middle of an industrial and commercial wasteland. Snuggled up next to Interstate-95 and the Philadelphia International Airport, the refuge represents modern sensibility and understanding of the importance that wetlands and tidal marshes such as this play in protecting our land, even urban areas such as Philadelphia. The refuge is magical in all four seasons but due to it closing just after sunset, we can only do this on weeknights from mid-May to mid-September. So whether you've been here 100 times or never been at all, join us for a beautiful and amazing hike through this sanctuary. Turtles, fish, birds, birds of prey, snakes (non-venomous), hares, turkeys, and more call this place home.
MAKE SURE YOU ENTER VIA THE PHILADELPHIA ENTRANCE ON LINDBERGH BLVD!!!
SPEED | DISTANCE | ELEVATION
- Speed - 2.75 mph average
- Distance - 8.5 Miles (Estimate)
- Elevation - Minimal - less than 100 feet - mostly going up observation platforms
OBSTACLES | TERRAIN
- Hike is a mix of well maintained paved walkways, bridges, observation decks/boardwalks and maintained, easy hiking trails
- Mix of urban and woodsy obstacles - but nothing too serious
BASIC INFO
- DAY & DATE: Sunday December 22nd
- START TIME: 10:00 AM (AND WE START ON TIME!)
- STARTING LOCATION: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
- ADDRESS: 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153
- END TIME: Target is finish hiking between 1 and 1:30PM
GEAR:
- Hiking boots/shoes (sneakers okay but may get wet/dirty on this)
- Water
- Snacks (as you see fit)
- Appropriate clothing - hats, rain jackets, etc. as needed
- A change of clothes for after (at your discretion)
- I also advise people bring hiking bags to help get you accustomed to using one
- CAMERA!!!!! (OR PHONE!!!!!)
PARKING + MEETING SPOT
- Free parking in the lot
- We'll meet right off the parking lot by the main entrance
- I'll post a comment and upload a map with pin to the event photos once I arrive
AFTERWARDS
- Afterwards, if there's enough interest we can head to a place in nearby Delco or South Philly for food/drinks. Everyone is welcome!
CANCELLATIONS
- I do not cancel hikes for inclement weather. It must dangerous conditions for driving/hiking on the way to, during, and/or on the way home from an event. If I ever do need to cancel or postpone I try to do so as early as possible.
- You may cancel at anytime up to and including the start time of the hike. Cancellations without contacting me after the start of an event counts as a no-show. More than 3 no-shows gets you removed from the group. If something happens, I get it, reach out and just tell me after. I've been there - hungover, busy, etc. Just be polite, and brief, if you miss and forget to cancel.