Schuylkill Trail at Schuylkill Banks

The Schuylkill Trail is a patchwork of 60 miles of trail sections that stretches from Philadelphia to Pottsville. In Philadelphia, the Schuylkill Banks section of the trail is an eight-mile path along the Schuylkill River. This paved trail along the riverbank connects many national landmarks and points of interest in downtown Philadelphia. 

Some of the places that you can access the Schuylkill Trail include the 34th Street Ramp, Bartram’s Garden Driveway, Botanic Avenue and South 49th Street, Chestnut Street Ramp, Grays Ferry Avenue, the JFK Boulevard Stairs, Kelly Drive, and the Locust Street Crossing. But most people with dogs tend to start at the Schuylkill River Park where the dog run is located. There is plenty of parking available here, and you can let your fur baby run around off-leash for a while before you set out on the trails, where your dog has to be on a leash at all times. 

They do have restrooms at the Schuylkill River Park, and at Fairmount Park on Concourse Drive, where you can take a break, fill up your water bottles, and relieve yourself while on your hike. There are many businesses along the way that have restrooms available for use, but they do not allow dogs inside, so you will need someone to stay out with your pooch if you have to go. However, there are several that are dog fur-iendly along the way, such as Doobie’s on Lombard Street, Heffe Tacos on Frankford Avenue, and Root, also on Frankford. Remember to bring clean up bags to clean up after your pooch.

Also, at the Fairmount Park access point, you and your pup can take a walk up and down the famous “Rocky Steps,” which are the steps that Sylvester Stallone jogged on in the movie, Rocky. They are actually the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. 

Along the Schuylkill Trail, you will also see Fort Mifflin, Bartram’s Gardens, the Fairmount Water Works, a 9-11 Memorial, 56th Street Plaza, the CHOP Bridge, the Fairmount Fish Ladder, Gray’s Ferry, and even a skate park. This is a wide paved trail that does not venture into the woods or nature areas, but is meant to connect the riverfront points of interests for its community.  

With lots of pawrific options, you and your pup are sure to love this pawsome trail!