Alexander King Nature Preserve

About This Preserve
  • 23 Acres
  • Hunting Map
  • Region: Octoraro Watershed
  • Coordinates: 39.82518, -76.09344

Ecology and Management

Alexander King is managed for its habitat being of highest and best use. A loop-trail is no longer being maintained.

Alexander King consists of a hill raised above outcrops of green serpentine rock, evidenced by a variety of common and unusual plant species. Green briar, fox grapes, witch hazel and wild yamroot dominate the understory. Trees and shrubs include red and white oaks, hickories, maples, tulip poplar, hemlock, white pine, black birch, laurels, and bladdernut with its inflated seed pods. Great or star chickweed,, liverleaf, trailing arbutus, and columbine are several of the most spectacular of the dozens of wildflowers which may be found here in season.

Watershed

The Preserve overlooks the West Branch of the Octoraro Creek, a tributary that empties into the Susquehanna River just beneath the Conowingo Dam from which point flows undammed the entire length to the Chesapeake Bay.

Hunting Information

Alexander King 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

John S. Alexander donated the land for this preserve to the Conservancy in 1984.

Amenities

Shoulder parking. Preserve sign.

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 – 21 miles away
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital

555 N Duke St, Lancaster, PA 17602

Additional Resources
Robert Fulton Fire Company
717-548-2531

PA State Police
717-299-7650