High Family Nature Preserve
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
455 Beverly Road | Elizabethtown | Mount Joy Township
The High Family Nature Preserve is the perfect place for the whole family to hike. This 112 acre preserve, that is managed by The Lancaster Conservancy, offers 3 connecting trail loops. The trails take you through meadows, forested areas and crosses over a stream that runs through the property. The most unique feature on this property is the large diabase boulders that can be found tucked amongst the trees. The boulders add some dimension and texture to the forest and are great for adventuresome kids who like to climb.
The preserve is located across the street from Old Trolley Line Park. This is where you can park and where the port-o-potties are located. There is also a playground and paved walking trails. The preserve is conveniently located near Routes 283 and 723. Unfortunately because of this, you do hear the noise from the roads throughout the preserve.
Distance: 2 miles of trail
Difficulty: Medium Rare
Terrain: dirt | rocks | grass | wooded
Activities: hiking | trail running | bird watching | leashed dogs
Parking: large parking lot across the street at Old Trolley Line Park
Restrooms: port-o-potties at Old Trolley Line Park
Websites: lancasterconservancy.org
Meadow Loop | .3 mile loop | yellow blaze medium rare | 6-12 minutes
This short loop is at the entrance to the preserve and takes you through a portion of the meadow that is at the front of the property.
Boulder Loop | .7 mile loop | red blaze
medium rare | 15-30 minutes
This middle loop continues into the woods. As you make your way around the loop, large outcroppings of boulders emerge in the woods.
Stream Loop | .7 mile loop | blue blaze
medium rare | 15-30 minutes
This trail crosses over the unnamed stream that runs though the preserve 3 times.
Two of the crossings have bridges and the third has you hoping over boulders to cross.
White Extension Trail | .6 mile out and back | white blaze
medium rare | 15-30 minutes
This trail branches off of the Stream trail and takes you to the end of the property on Mount Gretna Rd.
Directions:
From Lancaster take US-30 W
Stay in left lane and continue on PA-283 W
Exit at State Hwy 743/ Hershey Rd.
Turn Right on Beverly Rd.
Parking is at Old Trolley Line Park on the Left
Preserve is across the street from the furthest entrance of the parking lot
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