Water Recreation

 

Brandywine Creek

NPS

 

First State National Historical Park (NHP) offers many excellent opportunities for water recreation on the Brandywine Creek, including swimming, canoeing/kayaking, tubing, and fishing. This article will help you plan your water adventure.

Water Safety

Please be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty at First State NHP. Your adherence to water safety guidelines is an essential part of recreating responsibly. The following tips will help you have a safe and fun outing on the Brandywine:

• Wear a well-fitting life jacket at all times
• Check the park website for any closures or updates about water conditions
• Know the weather forecast for your trip and do not plan a trip when thunderstorms are likely to occur
• Exercise caution around dams and other water obstacles
• Do not climb on rocks or logs in rivers or streams, as they may be slippery
• Bring sufficient water for the duration of your trip

 

Reminder: Alcohol is strictly prohibited!

Alcohol is strictly prohibited in First State National Historical Park and Brandywine Creek State Park. Consuming alcohol while recreating on the Brandywine Creek is also illegal. Please leave all alcoholic beverages at home.

 

Parking

Visitors to First State NHP can access the Brandywine Creek from the Smith Bridge Picnic Area. On most weekends, parking is available at the Smith Bridge Picnic Area on a first-come, first-serve basis. During the busy summer season, overflow parking is available in the field lot at the corner of Ramsey Road and Brandywine Creek Road.

Visitors planning a trip along the Brandywine may use of the following public parking areas:

Name	Location	Hours	Fees
Brandywine Museum of Art	1 Hoffman's Mill Road Chadds Ford, PA 19317	8:00am-4:00pm	$20
Smith Bridge Picnic Area Parking Lot (First State NHP)	39.833265, -75.575112	6:00am-6:00pm	Free
Thompsons Bridge Parking Lot (Brandywine Creek State Park)	39.817090, -75.568971	8:00am-Sunset	$4 in-state (Delaware) vehicle license plate $8 out-of-state vehicle license plate

There are many private properties located along the Brandywine Creek. Please be respectful and avoid parking on private property.

In addition, please ensure that you have a vehicle (and keys to that vehicle) available to you at your ending location. Otherwise, you may find yourself stranded.

Float Times

Float times are directly impacted by the water flow. After heavy rainfall you can expect shorter float times as the water will be moving faster. In periods of low rain or droughts you should anticipate long float times and areas where you will need to walk within the creek.

Below are the average estimated travel times for tubing floats along the Brandywine Creek:

• From the Brandywine Museum of Art to Smith Bridge Picnic Area: 4-5 hours
• From Smith Bridge Picnic Area to Thompson’s Bridge at Brandywine Creek State Park: 1-2 hours
• From the Brandywine Museum of Art to Thompson’s Bridge: 6-8 hours

There is no way to publicly access the Brandywine River between the Brandywine Museum of Art and Smith Bridge Picnic Area. Once you begin your journey at the Brandywine Museum of Art, you are committed and may not have an opportunity to exit until arriving at the Smith Bridge Picnic Area.

Please contact us regarding questions and concerns about water recreation on the Brandywine.

 

Who hears the rippling of rivers will not utterly despair of anything.

—Henry David Thoreau

Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of anonymous donor