Description:

The House Rock Nature Preserve is comprised of 95 acres of cropland and woodland along the eastern slopes of the Susquehanna River.  Lying approximately a half mile south of the Pequea Creek, this property is part of a massive ridge made of Octoraro Schist.  The 61 acres of woodland includes a mixture of healthy, mature dry oak, maple, tulip and beech trees. 

A portion of the Conestoga Trail runs through the southwest corner of the property before jutting out to the House Rock Overlook.  The Conestoga Trail, developed and maintained by the Lancaster Hiking Club, runs 63 miles from Pinnacle Overlook to the Horseshoe Trail in Elizabeth Township.  This trail and the House Rock Overlook are very popular among hiking enthusiasts.

House Rock Nature Preserve is the site of the Conservancy's American chestnut restoration project in partnership with the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation. For more information on the Foundation, visit their website at www.patacf.org. For more information on the restoration project, contact Carl Martin, the Conservancy's Director of Stewardship and Education, at cmartin@lancasterconservancy.org or 717-392-7891.

Directions to House Rock Nature Preserve:

House Rock Nature Preserve is located in Martic Township. The parking area is on Houserock Road, and the lot is shared with neighboring Reed Run Nature Preserve.

From Lancaster City, take PA Route 324 (New Danville Pk.) South. It will turn left at New Danville and join Rt. 741 for a short distance. Rt. 741 will turn left at a stop light, but continue straight ahead. Continue to follow Rt. 324 over the Pequea Creek and through Marticville. At Pennsy Rd., you will turn right, continuing on Rt. 324 and through a tunnel( use caution here!). In less than a mile, look for River Rd. on your left; Follow River Rd. past Bridge Valley Rd. and look for Houserock Rd. which angles off to the right. Follow it for .9 of a mile to a stop sign, turn left on Westview and quickly right again onto Houserock Road. Look to the left for the Conservancy sign on the grassy hillside.