Rays Woods Nature Preserve

About This Preserve
  • 58 Acres
  • Region: Central
  • Coordinates: 39.891803, -76.26569

Ecology and Management

Rays Woods is managed for its habitat as being of highest and best use.

Pieced together as small parcels of remnant forest, Rays Woods serves as a buffer for the headwaters of Trout Run, a cold-water fishery.

Watershed

Rays Woods is home to the headwaters of Trout Run which empties into the Pequea Creek before it joins the Susquehanna River at the village of Pequea.

Hunting Information

No Hunting.

Acquisition History

The first tract of Rays Woods Nature Preserve was donated to the Conservancy by Carolyn Kent and John Hale in 1997. Bruce Ryder donated the next tract in 2000, and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provided funding to acquire the remainder of what is today Rays Woods Nature Preserve, with the last tract acquired in 2006.

Amenities

Limited 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 – 12.9 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