Lancaster Conservancy’s Trail Fest is a new event in 2024 that celebrates the variety of ways we can connect with nature and experience the physical, mental, and emotional health benefits gained from spending time outdoors. With over 45 miles of trails (including two universally accessible trails and more in the works) and over 8,000 acres of natural lands under our management, the Conservancy works to provide ample opportunities for everyone to explore our beautiful forests, meadows, wetlands, and streams.

Join fellow nature lovers at this family-friendly event and enjoy live music, food and beer trucks, educational trailside chats, self-guided hikes, s’mores around a campfire, and opportunities to expand your outdoors knowledge.

Trail Fest Schedule

Join us any time between 2:00 and 7:00 PM on September 14 to learn, explore, eat, drink, and enjoy the live music!

2:00 PM — Gates open
2:00 – 6:00 PM — Self-guided hike
2:00 – 6:30 PM — Happy Hiker Village, food and beer sales, s’mores around the fire
2:15 – 3:00 PM — Trailside Talk — Elephant Hunt: An Ecological History of the Susquehanna Riverlands
3:15 – 4:00 PM — Trailside Talk — Birding in the Susquehanna Riverlands
4:30 – 6:15 PM — Colebrook Road concert
7:00 PM — Trail Fest concludes

Location

Lancaster Conservancy Trail Fest will take place at Wizard Ranch Nature Preserve, located off Accomac Road in Hellam Township, York County. Click this link for driving directions.

Parking

Parking will be available in an open field on site. Please consider carpooling if possible. Limited parking spots closer to the festival will be reserved for those with mobility concerns. 

Food & Drink

Beer will be available for purchase from Collusion Tap Works until 6:45 p.m. Alcohol must be consumed in the beer garden area. No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted. There will be a water bottle filling station available.

Food will be available for purchase from Vampire Taco food truck. We encourage attendees to support our food vendor, but outside food is also allowed at the event.

Collusion Tap Works and Vampire Taco Truck will both accept cash and card payment.

Live Music

Colebrook Road‘s performance will begin at 4:30 p.m. Colebrook Road is a bluegrass band based out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They have had two albums in the top ten on the Billboard Music Chart in 2019 and 2021 and received a nomination for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Momentum Band Award in 2020.

Seating

Bring your own blankets or chairs to sit on while you enjoy the concert.

Pets

Pets, other than service animals, are not allowed at this event. We kindly ask that you leave your four-legged friends at home.

Raffles

We will be auctioning a Breeo X Series 24″ Stainless Fire Pit at Trail Fest. Tickets will be sold at Trail Fest and are $20 for one ticket, $30 for two tickets, or $40 for three tickets. Please bring cash if you’re interested in purchasing raffle tickets. Thank you to Breeo for donating this fire pit!

Participate in the Happy Hiker raffle by visiting all four Happy Hiker Village stations! Get a stamp on your Trail Fest passport at each station, then show us your completed passport at the Check In & Info table to enter the raffle for some Lancaster Conservancy swag!

*You do not need to be present to win, but if you are not present, you will be responsible for pickup at the Lancaster Conservancy office at 117 S. West End Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603. Ticket must include name and phone number.

Restrooms

There will be port-a-johns available on site.

Accessibility

Wizard Ranch Nature Preserve is largely unimproved. The main festival area will be in a field with food truck access on a gravel parking lot. Please let staff know upon arrival if you need assistance or closer parking. The trails at Wizard Ranch are not accessible for mobility devices/strollers with wheels at this time.

Weather & Refunds

All tickets are non-refundable. Trail Fest is a rain-or-shine event. In the case of extreme weather and cancellation, tickets will be considered a donation to the Conservancy as we continue to protect our natural lands. If the event is canceled, a final decision will be made by noon on Friday, September 13, and all ticket holders will be notified via email.