Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area

The 949-acre Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area is one of the newest Pennsylvania state parks. The park straddles Blue Mountain and is the habitat of large trees of numerous species, which are homes for deep forests birds, especially warblers. In the summer and fall, the old field is filled with blooming wildflowers like butterfly weed. In late-July and early-August, the flowers attract field birds and many varieties of butterflies.

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Directions - Weather  - Recreation  - Hiking  - Environmental Education  - Calendar of Events  - Accessibility  - History  - Wildlife  - What is a Conservation Area?  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

From PA 322 , take the Fishing Creek Exit. Turn east onto Fishing Creek Valley Road (SR 443). The conservation area is 2.6 miles on the right.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Hunting  - Wildlife Watching  - Cross-country Skiing 

Hiking: 12 miles of trails
Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area boasts an extensive trail system. With its variety of trails it is sure to please almost any level of hiking

Coach Trail: 0.9- mile, yellow blazes, easy hiking
This trail follows the base of the ridge and loops at the park’s western edge. It is a good cross-country skiing trail as well as a great trail to watch and listen for warblers in the spring and early summer.

Creek Trail: 0.9-mile, medium blue blazes, moderate hiking
This trail goes to the western edge of the park and is an excellent trail for viewing wildlife.

East Loop Trail: 1.9-mile, lime green blazes, moderate trail
As its name implies, this trail runs toward the eastern end of the conservation area and follows the power line for about 0.3-mile.

Janie Trail: 2.5 miles, red blazes, difficult hiking
This is the longest and most challenging trail in the conservation area. It follows the ridgetop and comes down the mountain on a steep slope.

Upper Spring Trail: 2 miles, beige blazes, moderate hiking
This trail provides the hiker with a nice cross-sectional view of the conservation area. This is an excellent trail to see some of the largest trees in the area. These large second growth oaks, hickories and beeches could be old growth stands in the future.

Lower Spring Trail: 1.1-mile, lavender blazes, easy hiking
This is a great trail for cross-country skiing and it is a nice trail to see the heart of the conservation area.

Pond Loop Trail: 1.2-mile , pink blazes, easy hiking
This trail skirts the spring-fed pond. It is a haven for a number of amphibians during the early spring and summer months and is also a popular watering hole for wildlife.

Cross-country Skiing: All hiking trails in the conservation area are open for cross-country skiing. Explore the Winter Report for current snow depth.

Hunting and Firearms: About 800 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are black bear, deer, turkey, grouse, rabbit and squirrel.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment must be kept in the owner's car, trailer or camp.

For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

The Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding, and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.

Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the Little Buffalo State Park Complex office.

Programs are offered from April through October. Many programs feature the abundant wildlife and forest management practices that can be seen in the conservation area. For more detailed information on programs contact the Little Buffalo State Park Complex office.

Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.

Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.

History

Mr. Alexander Boyd donated the conservation area to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in September of 1999. Mr. Boyd is president of the Union Deposit Corporation. The stated purpose of this donation is to set aside the area for the perpetual management and protection of big trees. He received a Conservation Landowner of the Year award for 2001 from the Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation and Audubon Pennsylvania for his donation of the conservation area.

Wildlife Watching

There are many opportunities to see wildlife, but please observe from a safe distance and do not feed wildlife. The conservation area’s many trails offer good opportunities for seeing white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, grouse, black bears and a variety of songbirds depending on the season. Eastern bluebird boxes are around the main parking lot. Please enjoy viewing the bluebirds but do not disturb the boxes.

The field and the ridge top of the conservation area can be great places to watch the annual hawk migration as these magnificent birds of prey ride the thermals along Blue Mountain. Their migration begins in mid-October and runs through early December with the peak in early November.

American Chestnuts were planted in the field near the entrance as part of a program to create blight resistant trees.

Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks:
888-PA-PARKS (voice)
888-537-7294 (TTY)
711 (AT&T Relay Services)

What is a Conservation Area?

This designation is for land donated to the Bureau of State Parks and managed for the purposes of preserving open space, conserving natural resources, and providing opportunities for passive, non-motorized, low density outdoor recreation and environmental education activities.

A conservation area is characterized as a large area with few improvements and no through roads. Recreational facilities and development are minimal. Conservation areas are used for low impact recreation and serve as outdoor classrooms. Conservation areas serve as examples of proper stewardship and resource management. The donation of the land can be covered by a restrictive covenant.

What is a Restrictive Covenant?

A restrictive covenant is a condition that is written into a deed, either by the seller or person donating the property, that must be adhered to by the person or organization that assumes possession of the property. Some of the restrictive covenants placed on the transfer of this property include:

• The land is intended for use, enjoyment and education of all citizens of the Commonwealth. Environmental, outdoor and forest resources management education will be emphasized.
• Only passive outdoor recreational activities will be allowed. Horseback riding, biking, and motorized equipment, with the exception of official use equipment and accommodations for disabled people, are prohibited.
• Acceptable forestry practices will govern resource management. Generally, only dead and downed trees should be harvested, except on forest demonstration areas.

Research and educational programs such as warm season grasses, butterfly trails, sugar maple plantation, and aspen management have been suggested for consideration in the field portion of the preserve.

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions, contact; Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau, 877-PA-PULSE, www.pacapitalregions.com.

Fort Hunter Mansion and Park: Along PA 443 north of Harrisburg, this 40-acre Dauphin County park was a settlement fort in the 1750s during the French and Indian War. The park has playgrounds, picnic areas and tours of the mansion. 717-599-5751

Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area: Straddling Peters Mountain, the 370-acre conservation area is dominated by large hardwood trees. This large block of nearly unbroken forest is a haven for wildlife like forest warblers and other deep-woods animals. A main attraction to the conservation area is the elaborate trail system. Contact the Little Buffalo State Park Complex office at 717-567-9255.

City of Harrisburg: The historic capital of Pennsylvania has many attractions, including: PA State Museum, State Capitol, Governor’s Mansion, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, National Civil War Museum and much more.

In an Emergency

Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.

Nearest Hospital:
Harrisburg Hospital
111 South Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-782-3131

For More Information Contact

Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area
c/o Little Buffalo
Newport, PA 17074
717-567-9255
Manager: Harold Bloom

E-mail: littlebuffsp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.

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