Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area in Pennsylvania, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-30. Check linked official notices before travel.

Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area protects large trees on Blue Mountain near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Its twelve miles of trails offer a choice between shorter forest loops and a demanding ridge hike. Plan a visit on foot: the conservation area restricts recreation to passive uses.

Choose a forest loop before tackling the ridge

Lower Spring Trail is a 1.1-mile loop with the easiest rating. Janie Trail covers 2.8 miles and reaches the ridgeline. Its most difficult rating reflects steep, narrow and rocky sections. The shorter choice gives a mixed group a more manageable starting point.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Account for terrain and hunting areas

Do not treat every short trail as an easy walk. Janie Trail has a steep, rocky section. Hunting occurs on much of the property during established seasons. Use the park hunting guidance and boundary map when planning a route.

Respect the conservation restrictions

Bicycling, horseback riding and motorized recreation are prohibited, with exceptions for official equipment and disability accommodations. Choose a walk rather than bringing a bicycle for these trails.

Contact staff for organized learning

The conservation area has no reservable facilities. Call the managing office for a group visit or an accommodation request before finalizing arrangements.

Use the Fishing Creek Valley entrance

From US 322, take the Fishing Creek exit and turn east onto SR 443. The entrance is 2.6 miles along Fishing Creek Valley Road on the right. Official coordinates are 40.35907, -76.86732. Download the maps linked from the park page before arrival because cell service can be unreliable.

Two separate stops off the regional roads

Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area is at 1609 Back Road near Halifax, reached via PA 225 and Camp Hebron Road. Little Buffalo State Park is near Newport, with access from US 322 and PA 34. Both close their day-use areas at dusk.

Walk, listen and watch the pond edge

• Use Lower Spring Trail for the easiest-rated loop.
• Choose the 1.2-mile Pond Loop for the spring-fed pond and seasonal amphibian activity.
• Listen for warblers along Coach Trail in spring and early summer.

The hiking descriptions give blazes, route types and difficulty ratings. Check those details when linking trails into a longer walk.

Keep the visit centered on the trail network

The Lower Spring trailhead listing includes non-flush restrooms, potable water and benches. Other trailheads list fewer amenities. Carry what you need for the full route and ask staff about seasonal water availability.

About this Blue Mountain conservation area

The 1,025-acre site protects tree habitat and allows low-impact recreation. Its conservation purpose explains why the visitor experience centers on walking and observation.

A gift intended to protect big trees

Alexander Boyd donated the land to Pennsylvania in September 1999. The gift specified ongoing management and protection of large trees. The official history account explains the purpose of that donation.

Forest birds and seasonal field flowers

Large trees provide habitat for deep-forest birds, including warblers. In late July and early August, flowers in the old field attract butterflies and field birds.

Contact

The Memorial Lake State Park office manages inquiries: 717-865-6470 or [email protected]. Its Grantville mailing address is separate from the Boyd Big Tree entrance.