Mark Your Calendars for a Summer of Hikes, Events, and Community
Summer in Wissahickon is around the corner! Get out your calendars and heed these exciting events and important reminders.
Run the Wissahickon Trail Classic—It’s the 10k trail race on Saturday, June 7 that we can’t stop talking about. And for good reason… Wissahickon lovers, runners, and thrill seekers alike come together to run in support of 50+ miles of trails and 2,000+ acres of meadows, forests, and streams. Register today— every dollar goes right back into supporting this special place!
Celebrate Pride Month with a walk along the Wiss—FOW is teaming up with Philly Queer Birders for a bird walk for members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community on June 29. Birders of all levels are welcome! Register here.
Find your new picnic spot—Did you know there are more than 10 picnic table areas and pavilions in the Wissahickon? And even more picnic possibilities at beautiful vistas around the park. Check out this map. If you’re planning a gathering at one of these pavilions, make sure to file for a permit with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation here.
Keep the Wissahickon beautiful—Our stewardship ramps up during the park’s busy season with the addition of our Tuesday Devil’s Pool clean ups. Come out and join us bright and early at 9:30 AM at our first DP clean up on June 17 and help keep this high-use area beautiful. Register here. Remember, a healthy and clean Wissahickon Valley Park starts with us when we Leave No Trace…
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel on durable surfaces aka stay on the trail
- Dispose of your waste properly—pack in what you pack out
- Leave what you find—keep nature in nature
- Respect wildlife—and view from a safe distance
- Be considerate of others—mind your trail manners
Beware of four-legged friends— It’s tick season, folks! Protect yourself and your pets by doing a tick check after every visit to the park (and any other time spent outdoors). Click here to have all your tick questions answered, including how to complete a tick check. To further protect yourself…
- Walk in the middle of the trail
- Use insect repellent
- Bathe within 2 hours of visit
- Check your clothes for bugs
- Tumble your clothes on high heat for 10 minutes
Join the 10th Annual All Trails Challenge—ATC is the perfect opportunity to explore every corner of the park, fundraise for its care, and meet new friends along the way. And this year- we’re going bigger with new events, exciting prizes, and new ways to reach your goals. Put these in your calendar…
- Informational “warm up” session—8/12/25
- FOW Member start—8/26/25
- General start—9/2/25
- Last day to track your miles—11/6/25
Save the date for something sweet: our Annual Free Ice Cream Social—This year we’re gathering on August 20 to share what summer is all about- frozen treats and friends!
Report park problems to FOW—If you encounter downed trees, damaged park structures, short dumping, or any other park problem, the best place to report them is via this form or by texting “WISS” to 267-966-2207. You might also encounter ground-nesting wasps this time of year; use caution and report them to FOW to be added to our tracker here.
Ring in summer with a solstice hike—Join our fabulous Trail Ambassadors on June 19, the day before the solstice, and observe the changes in the park from spring to summer. Register here.
Remember the basics—Make sure to wear sturdy shoes, pack your water, wear your sunscreen, and have your route planned out when you visit the park for a safer and enjoyable trip!
Photo courtesy of Rachael Balascak