Alerts & Current Conditions

 

Alerts

 

Winters at Valley Forge are cold and damp with a cool spring and fall and a hot and humid summer. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended for outdoor recreation during the snowy winter season. Find more detailed weather information here: www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/weather.htm

Weather Details

 

Park Roads Conditions and Closures

 

The Knox Covered Bridge reopened on Friday, October 11 after repairs to damage caused by a fallen tree were completed by PennDOT.

NPS Photo / G. Purifoy

Knox Covered Bridge Reopens

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced on Friday, October 11, 2024 that Knox Covered Bridge over Valley Creek has reopened following repairs from tree damage.

This picturesque bridge, known as the Knox Covered Bridge, is owned and maintained by the state of Pennsylvania. Built in 1865, the covered steel stringer bridge is 55-feet-long, 12-feet-wide, and carries approximately 1,604 vehicles per day. To learn more about the bridge, visit the Knox Covered Bridge webpage.

 

Trail Conditions and Closures

 

The River Trail will remain open during trail work but visitors are encouraged to use extra caution around work crews.

NPS Graphic / G. Purifoy

Trail Maintenance on the River Trail

Ongoing trail maintenance on the River Trail between Betzwood picnic area and the River parking lot along Pawlings Rd is taking place in 2025.

Work includes widening the trail to a standard 8 feet and relocating sections of the trail where the banks of the Schuylkill River are encroaching. The River Trail remains open to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders, but all trail users are encouraged to use extra caution while maintenance work is ongoing.

 

Visitors are encouraged to park in the Chapel parking lot and cross Route 23 at the pedestrian crossing for access to the Grand Parade trails.

NPS Graphic / G. Purifoy

Maurice Stephens Parking Lot Closed During Construction Project

The access road and parking lot near the Maurice Stephens house, located on Route 23 opposite from the Washington Memorial Chapel, is closed during construction and renovation work on the house. Visitors are encouraged to park in the Chapel parking lot and cross Route 23 at the pedestrian crossing for access to the Grand Parade trails.

Construction work on the Maurice Stephens house is expected to be completed at the end of 2024.

 

Tips for Visiting the Park Safely

• Recreate Responsibly. Follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, and avoid crowding and high-risk outdoor activities.

• Park in Designated Locations. Vehicles parked illegally will be ticketed, and vehicles that block emergency vehicle access (such as on roads or in front of gates) will be towed.

• Plan to Pack Out Your Trash. In-park trash and recycling receptacles are limited.