Alexander King Nature Preserve

Old ore holes with scattered rocks containing soapstone may be found here, along with charcoal tables. John S. Alexander donated the land for this preserve in 1984.

Bellaire Woods Nature Preserve

Gently sloping, relatively open 52.4 acre third-growth woods. Huge boulders cover the lower end, creating picturesque vistas, microclimates for plants, and animal refuges. A well-worn cobbly path strewn with emerging trout lilies in early spring leads directly into the woods from the parking lot. Once in the woods, the trail splits, creating a figure eight looping out to the newer trail.

Boyer Nature Preserve

Boyer Nature Preserve includes 9.6 acres along an important wildlife corridor and is relatively undisturbed, wooded and overgrown with thickets. The trail on this preserve can become impassable in summer due to the dense foliage of multiflora rose. Even in winter and early spring, the steepness of the hillside makes walking challenging.

Climbers Run Nature Preserve

This is a recreation managed preserve Size: approximately 82.808 acres History The old stone farmhouse and bank barn were built in the 1860’s.The Snyder family donated the farm to the Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster in the early 1960’s, calling…

Ferncliff Wildlife and Wildflower Preserve

Since 1972, Ferncliff has been recognized as a National Natural Landmark, because of the old growth forest that has been maintained here. This preserve’s hillsides offer some of the best examples of River Hills timberland. Tulip trees, beeches, hemlocks, sweet birches, red, chesnut, and white oak, sycamore, sugar and red maple, ironwood, and the glory of Pennsylvania woods, the redbud. In the fall many groves of pawpaw yield succulent, edible fruit. You will also see rhododendron and mountain laurel in abundance.

Fishing Creek North Nature Preserve

Fishing Creek North has two hiking trails. The first one starts at the parking area and follows the stream north along the main branch. The second trail starts across the street from the parking area and loops along a rocky ridge which provides a scenic vista of the stream and surrounding area. By walking along Scalpy Hollow Road the trail forms a loop back to the parking area.

Fishing Creek South Nature Preserve

Hostas, mock oranges, and huge colonies of daylilies are testimony to former habitation in the valley. A nearby farm was a station on the underground railway, and ruins of a school built by African-Americans can still be seen. The Historical Atlas of Lancaster County notes an African School House located where Fern Creek Road joins Fishing Creek Road. J.W.W. Loose has uncovered evidence of a number of mills along Fishing Creek, most notably Long's sickle and scythe mills, which in 1825 produced tools so superior they drove English products off the market. Local residents anchored boats at the small marina at the mouth of Fishing Creek. First parcel donated by John and Sally Gibson in 1995.

Homewood Nature Preserve

Homewood Nature Preserve includes early successional and mature forest areas. A section of Eshleman Run meanders through the wooded eastern edge of the preserve among mature beech, maple, and oak. Homewood offers a mix of forest and field, gentle rolling hills, cultivated and grassy fields, an old barn, and a woodland valley overlooking Eshleman Run.

House Rock Nature Preserve

A loop trail begins at the parking lot on House Rock Road and circles the property. This trail connects with the Conestoga Trail near the Susquehanna River. A short walk north on the Conestoga Trail leads to House Rock overlook, a magnificent vista of the unspoiled river gorge.

Kellys Run Nature Preserve and Pollinator Park Day Use Area

Kelly's Run Pinnacle Nature Preserve has mostly steep climbing from about 400 to 700 feet elevation, but there is a well-used equestrian path, and deer trails. The route along the stream is fairly level. The westernmost part of the tract, with a small tributary to Kelly's Run, has a cobblestone trail which allows easy access to this beautiful spot.

Otter Creek Nature Preserve

This is a recreation managed preserve Size approximately 276.252 acres About Otter Creek offers a scenic trail  that includes the Mason-Dixon Trail and also leads to the Urey Overlook in Lower Chanceford, York County. Remnants of the great American chestnut…

Rannels Kettle Run Nature Preserve

From western trailhead is a well-marked trail. Walk north, wade across Kettle Run. Continue north to a trail connecting to Horseshoe Trail to create a loop. From eastern trailhead, walk west from parking area uphill along Horseshoe trail past Conservancy sign at northeast corner of preserve to mountain top. Left on blue-blazed trail downhill to left turn at bottom to follow Kettle Run, then left again uphill back to Horseshoe Trail at Conservancy sign.

Reed Run Nature Preserve

Reed Run Nature Preserve's loop trail begins at the parking lot on House Rock Road and circles the property. This trail connects with the Conestoga Trail near the Susquehanna River. A short walk north on the Conestoga Trail leads to the House Rock overlook and a magnificent vista of the unspoiled lower river gorge.

Rock Springs Serpentine Barrens

A trail loops through Rock Springs Nature Preserve, but take care around the old water-filled chromite mine pits. Once on the bed of an ancient saltwater sea, geologic forces turned bedrock into a waxy greenish stone called serpentine, useless for crops or pasture. Some small-scale mining exploration for chromite, talc, and stone took place on the property before it was acquired by The Nature Conservancy in the 1990s.

Safe Harbor Nature Preserve

Safe Harbor is a 200+ acre nature preserve along the Susquehanna River in Manor Township, Lancaster County.

Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve

This is a recreation managed preserve Size approximately 85.966 acres About Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve is a 85 acre nature preserve along the eastern bank of the Susquehanna River that is well known for its wildflowers. It is the only…

Shiprock Woods Nature Preserve

The Shiprock hiking trail and property are just a short drive from Lancaster City. The trail head starts at the property sign and continues uphill through a mature forested canopy, until it loops back around to the same parking area.

Steinman Run Nature Preserve

There are many deer trails at Steinman Run Nature Preserve, but follow the narrow, less-steep blue-blazed trail to prevent erosion. This trail ascends gradually from a 520' elevation to a 740' elevation among huge trees whose dense shade limits the understory.

Texter Mountain Nature Preserve

Texter Mountain is a beautiful 122 acre nature preserve located in West Cocalico Township.

Trout Run Nature Preserve

This beautiful and heavily wooded ravine is well-known to nature-lovers and biologists. Clear water tumbles along a fairly steep gradient forming riffles and pools, with a glade and boggy area near an old railroad tunnel at the north end. The 198 acre preserve supports a hemlock grove lush with ferns and foliage.

Tucquan Glen and Pyfer Nature Preserves

This is perhaps the most pristine and scenic of the seven ravines which open into the Susquehanna River in this area. A rhododendron and hemlock canopied trail follows Tucquan Creek from River Road to the Susquehanna River. The initial two-thirds of this glen is beautiful and peaceful; the lower glen is wild and rugged.

Turkey Hill Nature Preserve and Turkey Hill Trail

Susquehannock Indians lived in the vicinity of the trail, and climbed and hunted along it. Established in 1990, the trail was extended several times before reaching its present-day length.

Upper Hopewell Forge Wildlife Sanctuary

There are no established trails at this preserve. In summer, the only practical route is to walk in the stream. The large parking lot here serves well as a trailhead for hikes to the Rannels Kettle Run Nature Preserve, and on the Horseshoe Trail and Conestoga Trail.

Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve

Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve contains 900 acres and encompasses the headwaters of Mill Creek. It is located in East Earl and Salisbury Townships and is one of the few remaining contiguous parcels of forested land in Lancaster County containing interior forest habitat.

Windolph Landing Nature Preserve

Windolph Landing Nature Preserve is accessible from the parking lot at the end of Second Lock Road. The entire property is located on a 65 degree slope, making walking difficult. A stout walking stick and sturdy shoes are absolute requirements.