Tinicum Township: Nature and History

Tinicum Township brings together a distinctive natural area and notable traces of New Sweden's history. At the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, you can explore trails through a variety of habitats; historic sites tell the story of the Swedish and Finnish settlers in the Delaware Valley. You can tailor your stay to your interests, whether that means wildlife watching, walking the trails, or focusing on history.

Freshwater Tidal Marsh and Trails in the Refuge

The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is a 200-acre National Wildlife Refuge bordering Philadelphia International Airport. It is home to Pennsylvania's largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh, known as Tinicum Marsh. The marsh gives the natural area a distinctive character: wetlands and wildlife observation are at its heart. Visitors interested in this landscape will find a variety of ways to spend time outdoors in the refuge.

The 3.5-mile Wetland Loop passes through a variety of habitats. Along the route, there are opportunities to watch wildlife, walk, and ride a bike.

Darby Creek offers a different activity. A 4.5-mile stretch runs through the refuge and forms a water trail for canoeists and kayakers. This offers an activity on the water in addition to the Wetland Loop. If you are planning a stay that includes paddling, you can make this stretch a focus of your nature and activity plans.

The visitor center at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum provides maps, brochures, bird-watching checklists, and restrooms. These materials offer practical information about the refuge, especially for those interested in birds and wildlife. Along with opportunities to walk, bike, and paddle, there is a range of activities to suit different interests, without requiring every outing to be the same kind of experience.

New Sweden and Historic Sites

The region's history is also present in Tinicum Township. Governor Printz Park is a seven-acre historic park. The site was home to New Sweden's first capitol, first school, and first church. These three institutions offer a glimpse into the settlement of that time and make the park an important point of reference for anyone interested in the history of New Sweden.

Governor Printz Park is also home to the Swedish Farmstead. It represents the achievements of the colonial Swedes and Finns who first settled the Delaware Valley, brought the log cabin to North America, and traded peacefully with Indigenous peoples. The Farmstead was originally established in 1988 as a living history museum. It was intended to show how a Swedish settler family lived. To that end, seven log cabins were built and maintained for about a decade.

Another historic landmark is the Lazaretto. It sits on a ten-acre riverfront property in Tinicum Township, just west of Philadelphia International Airport. The Philadelphia Lazaretto is considered the first quarantine hospital in the Western Hemisphere. Its location and historical significance give it a different character from the nature trails and tidal marsh: the story of a quarantine facility is the focus here.

Tailor Your Stay to Your Interests

For families and other travel groups, it can be helpful to decide in advance which interests you have in common: should your stay focus mainly on wildlife watching and outdoor activities, a paddling trip, or historical topics? If you would like to visit Tinicum Township, you can include a vacation rental in the township in your search.

More nearby destinations: Essington, Chester, Swarthmore, Aldan, Springfield, Elwyn, Darby and Rose Valley.

For the broader travel overview: Delaware.