City of Philadelphia: Trail Rules and Regulations

Trail Users All users of Park trails shall use trails safely with common courtesy to all others in the Park. Users of Park trails include all people using trails whether on foot, bicycle, horse, carriage, horse-drawn vehicle or any other permitted vehicle. The use of any motor vehicles, including but not limited to, snowmobiles, motorcycles, motorbikes, motor-powered dirt bikes and motor-powered ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) is prohibited on all Park trails at any time.
Trail Hours All trails are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. No person may ride a bicycle or horse in the park between 10 pm and 6 am.
Speed Limit All trail users shall observe a seven (7) miles per hour speed limit on all Park trails.
Single-file All trail users, except pedestrians, must proceed in single-file on all Park trails except on Upper Wissahickon (Forbidden) Drive.
Horse-drawn Vehicles Horse-drawn vehicles may be driven on Park trails of sufficient width to accommodate them safely. Travel by horse-drawn vehicles shall be single-file on all Park trails including Upper Wissahickon (Forbidden) Drive.
Upper Wissahickon (Forbidden) Drive Except for horse-drawn vehicles, all users of Upper Wissahickon (Forbidden) Drive shall travel at a maximum of two (2) abreast when trail conditions and traffic permit two abreast to be responsibly accommodated.
Swimming No person shall bathe or swim except at authorized pools and only when a lifeguard is present.
Bicycles
- No bicycles may be used in the Andorra Natural Area, except on Bell's Mill Trail, the driveway to the Tree House, and the bypass, which connects upper Northwestern Avenue with Forbidden Drive. Bikers are welcome to leave their bikes at the Tree House while on the trails.
- In those Park areas where bicycles are permitted, bicycles are restricted to existing sidewalks, footwalks and designated trails. No person shall operate or place a bicycle on grass areas within the Park. Bicyclists must relinquish the right-of-way to all other Park trail users, except during bicycle races, which have been either sanctioned or organized by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
- No person may operate a bicycle in any park between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am.
Pets All dogs/pets must be on a leash of not more than six (6) feet at all times.
Permits All trail users over the age of sixteen (16) are required to have a permit. Permits are required when using: bicycles, horses, carriages, horse-drawn vehicles and other non-motorized, wheeled vehicles. Exemptions: Anyone using Forbidden Drive, Pennypack bike trail or designated access roads does not need a permit. Horseback riding and bicycling along Forbidden Drive and paved trails are exempt from this requirement.

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