Turkey Hill Nature Preserve

About This Preserve

Note on Turkey Hill Trails: The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority has slated a prescribed burn for the Chestnut Grove Natural Area between March 1 and April 15. Trail closure will be posted on site during the selected day for the prescribed burn.

The Turkey Hill Trail begins at the Manor Township trailhead of the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail and quickly climbs and traverses along a ridge above the Susquehanna River. Scenic vistas abound, especially during winter months, but two scenic overlooks bookend the trail at its northern (with a spectacular view of the Conejohela Flats, a renowned stop-over for migratory waterfowl) and southern-most extensions. Phase I of the trail was complete in 1990 with several extensions in years to follow and finally culminating in its present-day length as the ‘wild’ hiking trail running parallel to the Manor Township’s section of the multi-modal Enola Low Grade Trail. The trail is on a long-term easement to the Conservancy granted by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) and Norfolk Southern Railroad. The Lancaster Conservancy is the primary manager of the trail outside of LCSWMA’s Chestnut Grove Natural Area.

Planning Your Hike

Strenuous. Beginning at the Turkey Hill Nature Preserve, the Turkey Hill Trail is 3.7 miles in length with the option to return 2.5 miles by hiking the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail north back to the Preserve. Half-way through the trail is a crossing of Mann’s Run that requires the hiker to get their feet wet which provides a picturesque waterfall best viewed from below on the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail.

Ecology and Management

Turkey Hill Nature Preserve and the Turkey Hill Trail are managed for their passive recreation as being of highest and best use.

Turkey Hill is renowned for its extensive understory groves of pawpaw trees which produce the United States’ largest native tree fruit. The Conservancy manages the groves by removing invasive-plant species, especially aggressive vines that, if unchecked, would top the pawpaw trees and reduce their fruit production.

Watershed

Wissler Run (bordering the Preserve) and Mann’s Run (crossed by the Turkey Hill Trail) are both direct tributaries of the Susquehanna River.

Hunting Information

Turkey Hill Nature Preserve is open to Archery-Only; all other lands along the Turkey Hill Trail are private. Respect property boundaries and safety zones. All Pennsylvania Game Commission Rules and Regulations apply. See ‘Where to Hunt’ for more details.

Report Hunting Violations: PA Game Commission Centralized Dispatch Center at 1-833-PGC-HUNT (1-833-742-4868) or 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453)

Acquisition History

The Conservancy acquired this land in 2006 with funding from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Natural Lands Preservation Fund of Lancaster County.

Amenities

Ample parking (parking is shared with the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail). Preserve sign. Kiosk. Trails.

Prevent Tick Borne Illness!

  • Wear repellent
  • Check for ticks after your visit
  • Shower soon after being outdoors
  • Call your doctor if you get a fever or rash

For more information visit cdc.gov/lyme

Spotted Lanternfly Alert!

Lancaster County is a Spotted Lanternfly quarantine area. This highly invasive insect is a serious threat to the health of our forests.

What you can do to help:

  1. Report spotted lanternfly sightings to Penn State Extension or call 1-888-4BADFLY.
  2. Stop the Spread. Look before you leave! Check gear, vehicles, and trailers.
  3. Smash them, bash them, kill them dead.
  4. Scrap and smash egg masses.

Emergency Information

In case of emergency, call 911

Nearest Hospital – 11.7 miles away
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital

555 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Additional Resources
Blue Rock Fire Rescue
717-684-8287

Manor Township Police Department
717-299-5231