Outdoors
Nature Preserve Directions
 Nature Preserves Directions
  1. Ferncliff Wildflower and Wildlife Preserve, a National Natural Landmark, 64.92 acres
  2. Fishing Creek Nature Preserve, 167.99 acres
  3. Trout Run Nature Preserve, 123.59 acres
  4. Homewood Nature Preserve, 39.61 acre
  5. Rannels-Kettle Run Nature Preserve, 81.25 acres
  6. Steinman Run Nature Preserve, 264.22 acres
  7. Tucquan Glen and Pyfer Nature Preserve, 336.38 acres
  8. Turkey Hill Trail, 3.30 miles

 

Ferncliff -- Take PA Route 272 out of Willow Street to the Buck. After you go straight through the light at the Buck intersection (PA Route 372), continue south on Route 272 for about three miles to Chestnut Level Road. You will see the Valley View Restaurant here at this point. Turn right on Chestnut Level Road. At River Road take a left then the first right, which is Slate Hill Road. Follow Slate Hill Road to Harmony Ridge Drive. Turn right on Harmony Ridge. At the intersection with Furniss Road, make sure to cross over Furniss Road and follow Harmony Ridge Road to Bald Eagle Road. Turn left on Bald Eagle Road. This road leads down a hill and the Ferncliff Preserve is at the bottom of the hill on the right-hand side of the road. Watch for the sign.

Fishing Creek -- Take PA Route 272 South (the Willow Street Pike) out of Lancaster City and Willow Street. Continue south. About three miles beyond the intersection of 372 bear right off of 272 and on to Chestnut Level Road. When you come to River Road turn left then take the next right on to Slate Hill Road. Take the second right on to Harmony Ridge Drive. When you come to Fishing Creek Road the southeastern most Conservancy parcel will be on your right.

Trout Run -- From Lancaster City, take PA Route 272 South, (Willow Street Pike/Lancaster Pike), toward Willow Street. Continue South on PA Route 272 to Smithville. Turn right on Pennsy Road (just past Frey’s Evergreen Plantation on the left and before the large stone arch railroad bridge over the highway). Follow Pennsy Road for approximately two miles; look on the left for a small parking area near the Trout run tunnel in the old low-grade rail line.

Homewood -- The Preserve is located in Strasburg, which may be reached by taking PA Route 30 East out of Lancaster to PA Route 896 at the Rockvale Square outlet complex. Turn right on Route 896 and stay on this road until you enter Strasburg (approx. 7 miles). PA Route 741 out of Millersville also takes you to Strasburg (make sure you follow all the turns to remain on 741!). At the square in Strasburg follow 741/896 east out of town toward the Strasburg Railroad. Stay on 741 where 896 breaks away at the east end of Strasburg, continuing past the Railroad complex, for 3.2 miles. The Paradise Township office is on the left and Keneagy Hill Road is on the right. Take Keneagy Hill Road south for 1.1 miles. Look for a small metal-sheathed red barn on the left. The barn and surrounding fields comprise the Homewood Nature Preserve.

Rennels-Kettle Run -- The Rannels-Kettle Run Nature Preserve is located near the Lancaster-Lebanon County border. The most convenient parking area is the one already established for the Upper Hopewell Forge Wildlife Sanctuary (this property can be found in the publication Guide to the Nature Preserves of the Lancaster County Conservancy). To reach this area, take PA Route 501 north out of Lancaster, through Lititz, to the red light at Brickerville. At Brickerville, go left (west) on US Route 322. Go left on Dead End Road and then right on Pumping Station Road. Here you will find a good-sized parking area. To access the Rannels-Kettle Run Nature Preserve, walk west along the Horseshoe Trail from the parking lot.

Steinman Run -- From Lancaster City, take PA Route 272 South, (Willow Street Pike/Lancaster Pike), toward Willow Street. Continue South on PA Route 272 to Smithville. Turn right on Pennsy Road (just past Frey’s Evergreen Plantation on the left and before the large stone arch railroad bridge over the highway). Follow Pennsy Road for approximately one mile, then turn left on Kreider Road. At the stop sign, proceed straight, crossing over a bridge spanning the old low grade rail line. At the next intersection, bear right on Rawlinsville Road. Follow Rawlinsville Road for approximately one mile, then turn right at the fork on to Stump Road. Follow Stump Road for approximately one and a quarter miles. The lot will be on your left and is well marked.

Tucquan Glen -- From Lancaster City, take PA Route 272 South (Willow Street Pike/Lancaster Pike), toward Willow Street. Continue South on PA Route 272 to Smithville. Turn right on Pennsy Road (just past Frey’s Evergreen Plantation on the left and before the large stone arch railroad bridge over the highway). Follow Pennsy Road for approximately four miles, then at Martic Forge turn left on to River Road. Follow River Road for approximately 3 miles. There are three well-marked parking areas, the first two are on the left and the third is on the right a short distance after the second lot.

Turkey Hill -- Take PA Route 999 (Blue Rock Road) west to River Road in Washington Boro. Go left (southeast) for approximately one and a half miles to the Conservancy sign and small parking lot on the right for the northern end trailhead.

To go to the southern trailhead continue on River Road past the parking area for the northern trailhead, up the hill turn left to stay on River Road. Continue until you come to the Highville fire station on the right, turn into the fire station lot and drive behind the firehouse and park in the Manor Township Park parking lot. To access the trail, follow the fence line keeping it on your right. When you reach the far side of the landfill and start heading down hill look for the yellow flagging going into the woods on the left.

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