An Exploration Of The Natural Beauty Of Crum Woods

Stretching across 220 acres along the property of Swarthmore College, the Crum Woods is one of Delaware County's natural treasures. This land is one of few remaining forested areas in the region and offers a plethora of opportunities for exploring the outdoors, learning about nature, and getting in some quality hiking. The faculty at Swarthmore College regularly takes class field trips into Crum Woods and uses the property as a classroom and laboratory for students in classes of all types, from geology to creative writing. These woods are also a popular recreational destination for all types of Delaware County residents and others who visit here from nearby with an interest in the diverse flora and fauna you can find here. Our Delaware County personal injury lawyers love Crum Woods for the following reasons:

Alligator Rock

Alligator Rock is a large, stunning outcropping of gneiss stone. It's one of the most iconic geological features in Crum Woods. In these woods, most of the bedrock is made of schist and gneiss. Schist is much softer than gneiss, which means it erodes easily. When schist erodes, it causes outcroppings like Alligator Rock.

Crum Creek

Crum Creek flows for about 24 miles throughout both Chester and Delaware Counties, including through its namesake, Crum Woods. This large creek also drains a watershed of 38 square miles. It begins in Malvern, Chester County and extends to the Delaware River, which is 4 miles downstream from Swarthmore.

Hiking Trails

Crum Woods has long been a popular destination for local hikers, with approximately 3.5 miles of walking trails along a diverse section of woods. These trails are open to the public from sunup to sundown every day. If you enjoy a nice long hike in some of the most picturesque wooded areas Delaware County has to offer, we highly recommend taking a hike in Crum Woods.

Scott Outdoor Amphitheater

The Scott Outdoor Amphitheater is a true treasure, combining man-made innovation with the natural beauty of this area to form a beautiful setting for plays, music, and Swarthmore College's commencement ceremonies every year. This awe-inspiring structure was designed by Philadelphia landscape architect Thomas W. Sears and constructed in 1942. For over 75 years, local families have been coming here to enjoy a variety of events and special occasions.

Crum Meadow

Crum Meadow spans 6 acres and is also referred to as Crumhenge because of several large decorative stones which were placed here in the 1980s. Previously, it was known as Palmer's Meadow, named after Samuel Palmer, a Class of 1895 graduate and professor of botany who later advocated for the founding of the Arboretum.

Wister Garden

The Wister Garden lies in the middle of the woods and features a variety of flowers, most notably large sections of bulbs and rhododendrons. It's a gorgeous, colorful garden and we highly recommend visiting here during the spring and summer. The garden was also the personal garden for the Arboretum's first director, John Wister, and his wife Gertrude.