Brief History of Valley Forge
Many Americans may have learned about Valley Forge and the importance it had in the American Revolutionary War. No battle took place there. Rather, it was part of General George Washington’s strategy for prevailing in the war against the Red Coats. I won’t get too deep into the history because then, what would you have to learn when you visit? I’ll stick to the very high-level info and then share with you some details about what to see and do there.
Strategic Location of Valley Forge
I’m not a historian, and I might get some of this not exactly right. So, you may want to fact-check me. In 1777 Philadelphia was the largest city in the colonies. It was an important city because the Declaration of Independence had been signed there in 1776 and then it was temporarily our nation’s capital (there was a plan to establish the capital on the Potomac River at some point in the future). The British attacked and took Philadelphia and were occupying the city. George Washington’s army had recently suffered losses in several battles in the Delaware Valley: Brandywine, Paoli, and Germantown. The geography and shape of Valley Forge Park has been likened to a natural fortress. So, it was a good place for the army to encamp for the winter, recuperate, train, and prepare for future battles. Today, Valley Forge National Historical Park (VFP we'll call it) is a very popular place to visit, mostly for the history but also because it abounds with natural beauty no matter what time of year you go.
Visiting Valley Forge Park
When you arrive to VFP, start your visit at the Visitor Center. There you’ll find printed information about the history and what to see as well as a screening room where you can watch a short orientation film. Be sure to meet the park rangers who staff the Visitor Center. They are not only very helpful but also quite knowledgeable about everything VFP. If you’re so inclined, nearby there is a place in the park where you can rent bikes. So, if biking is your thing, ask one of the rangers how to rent a bike. There are paved trails throughout the park where you can walk, jog, bike; the main loop being five miles.
Like any traveler, you might be wondering how much time you should plan to spend at VFP. Well, that depends. It’s worth mentioning the key activities of a typical visit. The main part of your time here will likely be spent touring the encampment. You can do this on foot, or you can take a 90-minute trolley tour around the park; called the Encampment Tour. This trolley runs several times a day from March through December, making extended stops at two key landmarks: Muhlenberg’s Brigade and Washington’s headquarters. Another option would be to do a self-guided tour, taking advantage of your car and the various parking areas around the encampment. If you decide to walk, the visit will take much longer than the trolley tour or driving. The main loop of the paved trails is five miles and there are various offshoots, like the one leading to Washington’s Headquarters, for example.
Walking along the paved trails you will see lots of natural beauty, reconstructed log cabins where the troops lived, several impressive monuments and historic buildings including Washington’s Headquarters and the Washington Memorial Chapel, a large church in the neo-gothic style. You’ll have many opportunities to read placards describing what you are seeing. If you are a dog lover, you are in for a treat, especially in the warmer months, when many visitors take family walks or play with their dogs around the park. There are wide-open spaces and shaded areas where you can have a picnic, fly a kite, or just lie in the sun and soak in the rays.
Hiking in Valley Forge Park
Earlier I mentioned hiking. On the west side of the main area of the park are two foothills with unpaved hiking paths: Mount Misery (larger and more challenging) and Mount Joy (maybe you've heard of the music band by this name). The two foothills are separated by Valley Creek, with its beautiful white covered bridge near the Mount Misery trailhead. There are various trails on each. You could spend hours on these trails challenging your body and seeing stunning views of the surrounding nature. If you plan to hike these trails, be sure to wear sturdy, appropriate footwear because some areas are quite rocky.
The trails in VPF connect with other trails, like the Schuylkill River trail that spans 18 miles ending at Boathouse Row in Philadelphia, and Horseshoe Trail that connects with the Appalachian Trail. I trained for my second marathon on the Schuylkill River trail. Many people walk, run, and cycle on this trail whenever the weather permits. So, this park really does have something for everyone.
Other Nearby Attractions
King of Prussia, PA is right next to VFP. There you will find a casino, Top Golf, and the massive King of Prussia Mall, one of the largest retail shopping malls on the planet. So, you could spend anywhere from a few hours to a couple days if you are a hiker or a shopper, or both!
Additional Practical Information
Valley Forge National Historical Park recommends making advanced reservations for some aspects of the visit. So, you should call well in advance of your trip to take full advantage of all it has to offer. Click here for the VFP section of the National Park Service website where you can find answers to many questions and a phone number to call for anything else VFP.
Did you know that Philadelphia is on Lonely Planet’s list of top 10 places to visit in 2024? I know the city well, having lived there and having visited many times. Please be sure to return to this blog in a week or so to read more of our series on Philadelphia and surrounding areas. UPDATE - We've written several articles on Philadelphia. Just use the search box on our blog page to find them!
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