Strawberry Hill
Nature Preserve is a private nonprofit education
and conservation institution located in the beautiful Blue Ridge
Mountains of Pennsylvania. Strawberry Hill’s mission
is to connect our community with the natural world by teaching,
inspiring, and promoting environmental stewardship. The 609-acre
preserve features a variety of habitats to explore, including
wet and dry woodlands, three ponds, two pristine mountain streams,
and much more.
Browse our photo galleries.
Recently selected
as a stop on Pennsylvania Audubon’s Susquehanna River Birding and Wildlife Trail, Strawberry
Hill offers the avid birder a chance to spot Barred, Screech,
and Great Horned Owls, Pileated Woodpeckers, American Woodcock,
Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, Great
Blue Heron, and Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, among others.
White-tailed
deer, bobcats, coyotes, and many other animals make their homes
in our preserve. Our quarry pools contain the largest concentrations
of Red-Spotted Newts in the area.
More than 10
miles of blazed trails meander through the property, leading to
unique rock formations, scenic vistas, and secret glades. Trails
range from easy streamside strolls suitable for families with
young children to more rugged trails with some moderately steep
sections.
Now you can adopt a trail!
Hours of operation
Strawberry Hill’s hiking trails are open to the public daily, from dawn to dusk. Our Nature Classroom is open when staff are on site. If you would like to visit our exhibits, please call ahead.
See a trail map.
Rules of the trail
• For your own safety, please stay
on the trails.
• Park only in designated areas. Visitor motor
vehicles are prohibited from the preserve.
• Carry out all your trash and leave the area
as you found it. Don’t use the portable toilets to dispose
of trash.
• We encourage observation; we discourage collecting.
• Strawberry Hill’s sensitive habitats require our
protection. We ask that you keep pets leashed and under control.
Clean up after your pet.
• Because of the potential for injury and damage
to the environment, the following activities are not permitted
on the property: smoking, swimming, mountain biking, use of motorized
vehicles, horseback riding, possession or use of alcohol.
Back to top
Directions to Strawberry Hill
Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve
1537 Mount Hope Road • Fairfield, PA 17320-9420
(717) 642-5840
From Gettysburg
From the square, go south on Baltimore Street/Route 97. At the first light, turn right onto Middle Street/Route 116. Follow Route 116 west for approximately 8 miles. Right after you see the big blue Strawberry Hill sign, turn right onto Bullfrog Road, which becomes Mount Hope Road. The Nature Classroom, office, and parking lot are on the left, 3.5 miles up Mount Hope Road.
From Route 16 (Waynesboro, Emmitsburg)
At the PNC Bank, take Route 116 east toward Ski Liberty. Follow Route 116 for 4.4 miles. At the Fairfield Post Office, turn left onto Carroll’s Tract Road, then take first left onto Mount Hope Road. Proceed for 3 miles to Strawberry Hill.
From Chambersburg
Follow Route 30 east for approximately 15 miles from Route 81. Turn right at the flashing light at Adams County National Bank. Proceed .6 miles to the first stop sign; turn left onto Old Route 30. After .1 mile, turn right onto Orrtanna Road. Follow Orrtanna Road for 1 mile to the first stop sign; turn left at the stop to continue on Orrtanna Road. After you pass Knouse Foods on your right, Orrtanna Road will become Carroll’s Tract Road. After passing Mountain View Golf Course on your left, turn right at the next intersection onto Mount Hope Road. Proceed for 3 miles to Strawberry Hill.
From Outside the Area
If you’re coming to Strawberry Hill from outside the area, you can find a suitable map view of our location at MapQuest. Note that Swamp Creek Lane is not a through lane. It does not connect Mount Hope Road to Cold Springs Road.
From Mount Hope Road
The Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, office, and parking area are
on the left, 3 miles up Mount Hope Road, about 0.25 miles past Camp Eder. Once you reach Mount Hope Road, cell phone service will be lost.
Join Strawberry
Hill!
Back to top
