Celebrated as America's First Urban Refuge, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is home to the largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania, known as Tinicum Marsh. Established in 1972, the refuge is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System, a network of lands set aside for the benefit of native wildlife and plants. Visitors to the refuge may observe hundreds of species of plants, trees, birds, insects, and mammals. There is a sizable, modern visitor center at the park entrance.
The route is flat and fast on mostly double track dirt and crushed gravel surface with some single track trail. Route consists of three loops that circumnavigate the majority of the park. The refuge is an oasis in the midst of the urban hustle and bustle. Along the southern portion you will hear traffic noise from I-95.
There are three main loops in the park, which can be run either clockwise or counterclockwise with just short out and back connections between loops. Start at the main parking lot next to the Visitor Center. The most efficient route would run one-half of each loop outbound and the other half inbound back to where you started. For example, stay south on the Wetland Loop Trail to the Tinicum Trail to the Woodland Trail (where you transition to the north side of the park) to the Tinicum Trail (very brief overlap with the outbound) to Darby Creek Trail (single track) to the Tinicum Trail (small overlap with outbound) to the Turkey Foot Trail, and back to the start via the north side of the Wetland Loop Trail. The first time you run this course it is probably best to carry a phone or watch with the GPX of the route in hand.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is located in South Philadelphia close to the Philadelphia International Airport and I-95. If coming from Center City on public transportation, take the Airport line to Eastwick Station and warm-up jog to the start of the route.
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/john-heinz-tinicum
