Holtwood Nature Preserve

About This Preserve

Ecology and Management

Holtwood is managed for its habitat being of highest and best use. A section of the Conestoga Trail traverses the property to connect Pollinator Park at Kellys Run Nature Preserve to Face Rock Overlook.

A highlight of this preserve through the summer is the number of pollinators such as butterflies, moths, and bees that can be found searching for nectar and pollen sources on native wildflowers and other plants. The Butterfly Club of Lancaster County has over two decades of data tracking the number and kinds of butterflies that can be seen on this preserve. Favorite butterflies include the rare monarch butterfly that feeds on milkweed, zebra swallowtail that feeds on pawpaw trees, painted lady that feed on asters and legumes, and a variety of skippers that depend on wild indigo, native grasses, and different kinds of plants for their life cycle.

Where there are an abundance of butterflies and other insects you can be sure to see a diversity of birds who feed insects to their young through the breeding season.

Watershed

Holtwood drains into Tobe Run, a direct tributary to the Susquehanna River.

Hunting Information

Holtwood is open to Mixed-Use Hunting. 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

This preserve was acquired as part of a nationally recognized landscape protection project known as the PPL Project. Funds for that Project were provided by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Conservation Fund, Lancaster County, York County, PPL, Talen Energy, and Brookfield Renewable. The tracts that form the Holtwood Nature Preserve were donated by PPL and Talen Energy.

Amenities

Parking at Pollinator Park at Kellys Run Nature Preserve

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 – 17.7 miles away
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital

555 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Additional Resources

Rawlinsville Fire Company
717-284-3023

PA State Police
717-299-7650