Chester County · outdoor
Hibernia County Park
Worth the drive to Coatesville if your kids are past the stroller stage — 900+ acres of wooded trails, a playground, fishing pond, and some of the quieter hiking in the county. Trails are unpaved and can be rough, so leave the stroller home. Preschool and up with good shoes.
Source record checked 2026-09-01
Hibernia County Park sits in the northwest corner of Chester County near Coatesville and gets far fewer visitors than it deserves. The park spans 900+ acres with wooded trails, a stocked fishing pond, a playground, and multiple picnic areas. The hiking is the real draw — trails wind through mature forest with creeks crossing and minimal crowds. None of it is stroller-appropriate, but for kids 3 and up who can walk a mile it's an excellent afternoon. Free admission, free parking. Bring water and snacks because there are no concessions.
Know before you go
Restrooms are on site near the mansion/main lot area, and multiple reviewers describe picnic tables and pavilions throughout the park. The trails are unpaved dirt and gravel, so this isn't a stroller park — plan on carrying young kids or waiting until they can walk the distance themselves.
- Address
- 1 Park Rd, Coatesville, PA 19320
- Hours
- Open daily, dawn to dusk
- Parking
- Main parking area off Park Road is free and rarely crowded. Multiple trailheads with their own small lots — the main entrance lot near the picnic area is the best starting point for families.
- Crowds
- Hibernia doesn't get the weekend crush that Marsh Creek does — it's off the beaten path enough that even on nice days you'll have space. One of the more underrated county parks.
- Good for
- Preschool, Kids, Tweens, Teens
- Type
- outdoor
Know before you go
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Stroller-friendly
- No
- Parking
- Free
- Picnic tables
- Yes
- Drive time
- ~30 min from West Chester
- Drive time
- ~25 min from Exton
- Drive time
- ~20 min from Downingtown
Sources: tripadvisor.com, tripadvisor.com
Make this plan work for your family
Check current opening information before leaving. Need a different kind of outing?
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